The Hold Steady

A few of us enthused about the band around 10-12 years ago.

Glad you got there Jack.

I would suggest the following as essential purchases :

Boys and Girls In America

Stay Positive

Heaven Is Whenever

Teeth Dreams

If you want to get a little bit heady, it's going to have to get a little bit heavy......imo

Alun, I am working my way though their CD's, thanks for your specific recommendations on albums, looks like Boys and Girls in America will be next.

No probs Jack. That's the album that really cemented my liking of them.

Here's the opening track, and a fine home made video.

"Stuck Between Stations"

.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnPgegu1EeE

Can I simply recommend the OP digs out the RAMalbumclub site (or indeed the book).

Firstly, it's the finest site around. Made me buy more albums than anything since the Mark and Lard heyday.

But, more relevantly, Martin (the M) is a huge Hold Steady fan and mentions them often.

Site should ve on the syllabus for all 16 year olds frankly.

She put $900 on the fifth horse in the sixth race
I think its name was chips ahoy!

Great tune, but I don't recommend the system.

Doing some dates in London next March.

Jack......(or anyone)

The Hold Steady's latest album "Thrashing Thru The Passion" (ridiculous title) came out last Friday, but unusually I have been unable to source a copy in the UK to date. (Prefer the hard-copy CD as opposed to a 'download').

The UK Amazon site has CD copies available, but only via America at inflated prices/postage, or on vinyl (again at crazy prices).

Any fans managed to find a copy of this CD in a quaint old record shop, or an alternative online UK CD seller ?

No joy, but glad to hear of anyone else's good fortune.

No probs Jack - did you like the other HS CDs I mentioned above?

Singer/lyricsist Craig Finn from the band has now released 4 solo albums. I would say they are not so much 'repeat listening' as the HS material.

never heard of them before reading this , thanks

Really like ‘ Lord I’m Discouraged ‘ especially the first 2 min or so, if it finished about there perfect

“ but I bought back the jewellery she sold “ about there

Alun,

Boys and Girls in America or Stay Positive are the only CDs in the player in my van.  I may have overdosed on them.  I don't think I could bear to hear any
more about 'Charlene' lol.  That's not to say I don't love them.  Probably need to make another HS CD purchase!

Hadn't heard 'Lord, I'm Discouraged' before, and I am not much into guitar solos but I really like the guitar part and I think that mid section, and then reprieving the first part makes
it 'epic'.

Cheers Jack. I think the 'underrated' album is 'HEAVEN IS WHENEVER'.  A record full of good songs, but minus their charismatic keyboard player who had just departed. That might be a good place to continue the listening.

Cheers Alun,

Will look at it.

Just listening to Teeth Dreams...only just realised can stream it on Amazon Music for free via my Amazon Prime.

Alun

Heaven is Whenever will be purchased in the next week or so.

Just stumbled on Craig's 'We All Want the Same Things' on Amazon Music.

Listening now...more melodic and poppy than HS - but I love quite a few of the tracks.

Cheers Jack, Craig's latest album "I Need A New War" has some good moments too.

I've had to buy the new The Hold Steady 'Thrashing Thru The Passion' in CD format from an American supplier, after an interesting and informative email dialogue with the band's representatives.

They told me the new album is only being given a very limited CD release over here, and seemingly solely through HMV. Sold out in local HMVs unfortunately before I made my enquiries. Lots of vinyl copies available though for those who like that format. Who would have thought that vinyl would be replacing CD ?

I think you are going to like "Heaven Is Whenever'. Give it a bit of time though. It was a bit different to the previous 2 superb albums, made without their star keyboard player, but I think it's the underestimated one in the pack.

There are some belters on 'Teeth Dreams' as well. I particularly like "Runner's High' and 'Wait Awhile'

Thanks for the info Alun.  A few Thrashing CDs have turned up on eBay - some promo copies ...around £10.

Have just ordered Heaven is Whenever on eBay.

Listening to Teeth Dreams now...

I think I will recommend the band to my Springsteen mega-fan mate.  For me they are part Springsteen, part Counting Crows - similarly impossible to sing along to because of the phrasing and the
speaking rather than singing - as well as reminding me a little of Graham Parker (and the Rumour) - English, but sounded American.