The Hold Steady
Posted by Chimney Singing Crow on 25 July 2008 - 9:17am.
I heard the song 'Stay Positive' on Jonathan Ross - my first exposure to them.
I know Mr Jones over at Uncut is obsessed by them, but for the more right-thinking amongst us - this is some sort of joke, right?
Have I had a bad introduction to them or is the rest of their output just as cringe-worthy?
EDIT - the intro is quite good but when the bloke starts singing it's just embarrassing
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The Hold Steady - Don't Believe The Hype
Completely agree. Although they are beloved by the broadsheets and have virtually become Uncut's in-house band, I cannot really understand what all the fuss is about. I suppose they appeal to £50 Man and misty-eyed music critics of a certain age.
I don't...
get it either. I kept listening because of all the glowing reviews, but eventually gave up! Busker, what or who is £50 Man? Am I showing my ignorance by asking the question?!
£50 Man
.. is the sort of person who doesn't really go to record shops anymore, except for twice a year, when he goes into HMV and spends £50 in one go. This usually involves taking advantage of a "5 CDs for £30" offer, or such like, to plug those gaps in his back catalogue. It's not my phrase.
Please don't insult £50 man?
Not to be confused with the rock snob, FPM is a (usually) post 48 year old happy man, with more time and money that is strictly sensible, and a musical habit outstripping, often, both. He is distinguished by an untidy beard, a messy desk and pedantic attention to detail, with an exhaustive knowledge of arcane subvariant genres. He differs from the rock snob by a paradoxical liking for the odd and unexpected populist choice, which would be ritually diliked, heard or unheard, by same. The Hold Steady, whilst visually bearing some of the stylings that appeal to FPM, are far too celebrated to appeal, especially when their afficianados play for the wrong team.
P.S. I listened to the Delgados version of Mr Blue Sky yesterday. Still, despite fey female vocal and trendy scottish derivation, still bollox
One for the defence
I like them. Interesting lyrics, loud guitars, a heady dash of Boss-ness, what's not to like? Decent live band too.
Can we just start a daily thread of someone nominating a band and saying they either like them or hate them? That's Abba, Neil Diamond and Ocean Colour Scene we've had in the past couple of days alone...
Seconded
Shouty loud rock music with lots of guitars, sung by a sweaty bloke who doesn't look like a nancy model boy, lyrics about low-life hanging out, drinking, smoking, reading and listening to neat stuff. With gurls.
What's not to like?
Perfect for Friday afternoons after work when you crack the first tin of Stella Act-Twat. Bring it on.
Thirded
Take a step back and listen to Boys and Girls in America.
Then go and see them live.
And listen to what Craig Finn sings as well as how he sings it.
Possibly the most loveable band on the road today by some distance.
Fourth-ed (?)
Bloody amazing live. A real sense of friendship among the fans. The genuine 'one-of-us' vibe, accentuated by none of them being close friends of the pretty stick. Wonderful, poetic lyrics ('Stuck Between Stations' stands out for me). Worrying levels of drink consumed onstage. If you like the E Street Band, The Pogues, The Replacements and/or The Faces, they are for you.
And I'll fifth it
They've done some excellent stuff, and the opening couple of songs on the new album make you want to drive somewhere with the car top down. I would, if I had a car top that could be taken down.
Believe me....
ALL car tops CAN be taken down......
Never heard of them
But then again I'm a £5 Man. That's 5 CDs for £1 in FOPP.
They're a Marmite band
... you either love 'em or hate 'em.
PS. Sorry, Chimney, I should have warned you earlier - There's something of a mafia / cult of Hold Steady fanatics. I think they're called The Unified Scene and they all wear matching, numbered T-shirts.
Graham Parker & The Rumour
Basically the same but better.
Pretty good comparison.
Seeing and hearing GP&TR (cross-thread alert) do "Hey Lord,Don't Ask Me Questions" on a f*ck-off HUGE rig live is one of the pinnacles of my live music experiences.
loved the last album, but is the new one much different ?
really enjoyed 'boys and girls ...' but is the new album much of the same so you start noticing bits of the old songs in the new ones ? ( like REM)
Boys and Girls in America
I'm with Chimney Singing Crow. Bar band at best. Someone is having a laugh.
Got the first 3 albums
but can't say they have ever been on heavy rotation. When Mr Jones of Uncut extols their virtues to such an excessive degree my natural reaction is to shun them I'm afraid. Last band he waxed so lyrical about was Babyshambles after all.
At least Uncut have now discovered The Wire....
Unshod and the Wire.....
Shit, does that mean it is now rubbish? Big article/interview about George Pelicanos in the Observer colour supp yesterday: he changed his name from Pelikanos to reduce the risk of being outed as of greek descent, with all the big moustaches and sheep slaughter on the lawn that goes therewith. Lightweight bastard say I; Mrs Path is of greek descent and has no moustache. But we had a bloody great big sheep for lunch yesterday. Lovely!
Now's your chance to see what the fuss is all about
UK tour announced here...
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/artist/952985
Wanted to like them...
after reading all the hype and gushing in the press, they seemed right up my street. However, saw them live and thought they were one of the worst bands I'd ever seen. The singer looked like someone's dad doing a Bruce Springsteen/Joe Strummer impersonation on the karaoke.
Lumpen, shouty rock with not a memorable riff or tune to be found...sorry, rant over! I should save my bile for The Feeling.