Stay Positive

I have the same issue regarding the sound quality. It's very bad. I don't know the technical reasons why, but the sounds seem too cranked up and all mashed together.

I learned of the band this summer and, after purchasing Boys and Girls and Separation Sunday, I can't get enough. The band has a great sound and some of the best lyrics I've heard in a long time. I'm way too old to be playing music loud anymore, but i cannot help it. THS makes me want play it loud.

So i'm very disappointed in the sound of the new CD. The band comes through once again with great music and interesting lyrics/stories but so much of it gets lost in the quality of the production.

Stay Positive (2008, Vagrant) The Hold Steady's fourth studio album. ***1/2

The glorified bar band is back with their fourth entry, the energetic Stay Positive, an ode to the summers wasted away on beer and narcotics. It's supercharged and ready to explode, as the obnoxiously loud "Constructive Summer" opens the package. This is a new direction for the Hold Steady, whose message is overwhelmingly, well, positive. In addition, it's brimming with sloppy punk rock riffs, and Craig Finn isn't afraid to spit out the lyrics with his distinctive pipes.

To be honest, the hooks aren't necessarily up to par with what the Hold Steady has put out before, most notably on their last album Boys and Girls in America, which started with the wonderfully powerful "Stuck Between Stations." And even though there's nothing that's as instantly pleasing, there are still a handful of moments that take you back to the good times spent with friends getting drunk. "Sequestered in Memphis" is a great anthem for the thirty-somethings that the Hold Steady are. "Navy Sheets" features an interesting 90's rock break, and the hard-rocking title track is the band at its most primal.

All the while I don't understand why Stay Positive is receiving an incredible amount of critical support; certainly it's a good album, but I do believe that they have done better in the past. Either way, it's easy enough to listen to, as the Hold Steady (God, what a terrible name) have proved themselves to be a band that anyone can enjoy.

This album is certainly along extremely similar lines to "Boys and Girls in America" If you liked that album, you will definitely like this one and vice versa. The band continues to rock with some great up-beat and realtively heavy alternative tunes. The lyrics are also have the same intoxicated one-night-stand theme. I was worried that it would sound exactly the same as the last album, but there are enough variations on the theme to keep it interesting while maintaining their unique style throughout. Overall, a great album, but I would start w/ "boys and girls.." if you haven't heard that one first.

This album is about half way between the brilliant Separation Sunday and the dismal Boys and Girls. In sound, it probably rates closer to BAGIA, but lyrically it is stronger than that album. Personally I prefer the harder and darker sound of Separation Sunday, which to me sounded more adult and mature, while I find the keyboard-filled easy-listening rock-n-roll of BAGIA and this album to be a bit boring. So, in summary, if you loved BAGIA (as I know many people did) you will probably really enjoy this album.

I've been a big fan of the Hold Steady since their early days. Actually, since before their early days, when Craig Finn fronted Lifter Puller (check that band out if you haven't heard them!!). Despite a lot of critical acclaim, the Hold Steady still doesn't get the respect they deserve. "Stay Postive" is yet another in a string of solid rock and roll albums from this phenomenal band. Craig Finn's unique lyrics and vocal delivery, which is more than just a little reminiscent of Mr. Springsteen, make every song an adventure of the most pleasurable kind. There really isn't a bad song on this record. For anyone who likes good old-fashioned rock & roll with some clever, witty, and intelligent lyrics, the Hold Steady will more than satisfy you. And if haven't seen this band live, you MUST do it the next opportunity you get. They put on a heckuva show!!