You guys had a lot to say about the new Hold Steady album. At Stereogum HQ, it's been on repeat all weekend. Sounds "like Elvis Costello fronting the E Street Band," says Entertainment Weekly. That's spot on. And how could you not dig that? Is it that he's not a "singer"? That hasn't stopped us before! Or that they're a drunk bar band? Well, fuck, if you have a local bar band that can write a record as thought-provoking, rocking, or balls-out fun as this one, email us at tips at stereogum dot com and we'll be all over 'em.
Last night we even ventured a few blocks uptown to catch 'em at Irving Plaza, just nights before the release of their long-awaited record, and they simply killed it. Unofficial sponsors Budweiser and Jack Daniels must've been so proud of the boys 'cause they left no opportunity for a swig untouched. This was a hometown crowd, comprising folks from Minneapolis, and Brooklyn, and busy album streamers singing every word to the "unreleased" material. It wasn't a show as much as it was a sing-along, coming-out party. Next time you need a band for your get-down, we suggest contacting Craig.
"First Night" was a sweeper, Craig getting serious and leading the crowd in chants of the Kerouac-quote that gives the album its name, while "Stuck Between Stations," "Massive Nights," and "Party Pit" had the band at its bombastic best. Yes, The Hold Steady Almost Killed Me.
Finn claimed the night for the band early on: "We suggest you call out of work tomorrow, 'cause we're heading to Hi-Fi afterwards and drinking 'til we can't stand." Inviting Irving Plaza to a party at a bar on Ave. A is just the sort of salt-of-the-earth shit that we hope Craig never loses. Let's hope those curious New York Times readers don't change the band after they start filling those halls. Give in. Get the record. It's okay to like them. We promise.
