Courtesy The Hold Steady
The band's last album, "Boys and Girls in America," was well-received by critics and also represented a distinct change in vocalist Craig Finn's songwriting style. Away went the half-talking, wordy style that had followed him from his previous band, Lifter Puller, and in came more of a pop sensibility. On "Stay Positive," Finn continues where he left off.
Opening the album is the instantaneously catchy "Constructive Summer," a tune that is a perfect example of what The Hold Steady should be about. Finn runs through a list of things he and his friends like to do, all as a matter of creating a build-up to the chorus, which alternates upbeat missives and a shout-along hook that screams, "This summer!" Musically, the band backs with what can be best described as a straight-ahead rock and roll riff, perfectly complementing Finn's lyricism.
When The Hold Steady make an up-tempo song, they're always dead on. Tracks like "Sequestered in Memphis" and the title track highlight the band's abilities. The same goes for the allusions to noteworthy hardcore acts Youth of Today and 7 Seconds in "Stay Positive." Throughout these cuts, the band sounds like they're actually having fun, adding another shout-along chorus to Memphis and a hearty whoa-oh-oh introduction to Positive.
If the album falters anywhere, it's in an area Finn has had trouble with in both Lifter Puller and The Hold Steady — the ballad.
On the track "Lord, I'm Discouraged," the narrator has a discussion with God. Ideally, this could present a more interesting situation, but it just feels a bit bloated. Unfortunately for Finn and the Hold Steady, this problem occurs again on "Both Crosses." The song is littered with numerous religious references, most notably name-dropping the Apostles Judas and Peter.
The latter half of the album is filled with stand-out tracks. "Joke About Jamaica," originally titled "Joke about D'yer Mak'er" is another great tale in the boyfriend-has-girlfriend problems in the tradition of The Hold Steady classics such as "Chips Ahoy!" and "You Can Make Him Like You."
The last track on the album, "Slapped Actress," is destined to become a fan favorite. As the longest song on the record, it offers ample opportunity for Finn to display his songwriting prowess and the band to show its musical talents. With obscure film references and another whoa-oh-oh chorus, it's the perfect culmination of the album.
If "Boys and Girls in America" was about coming of age, "Stay Positive" is about creating a philosophy and sticking to it. If you're still wondering what The Hold Steady built this summer, it's one of this year's best albums so far.
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