yes.
their music is a novel, with an evolving storyline and characters that move through the entire album.
er, albums. on the surface, the music comes across as kind of eighties guy rock/bar band, which isn't anything i would normally listen to. but it's a strange, impossible-to-describe layering of story, recurring themes, and music. when i first listened to separation sunday last year i thought WTF? what IS this? do i even like it???? i didn't think so. but after a few listens, i was hooked.
the video is from their new album. not sure about the song choice, but it probably worked best as a single. it doesn't really capture the literary bleakness of most of their music.
The Hold Steady - "Chips Ahoy!"
start with this:
all music
from all music:
Biography by Kenyon Hopkin
Resisting the musical trends in New York City, vocalist/guitarist Craig Finn (ex-Lifter Puller) formed the Hold Steady after moving from Minneapolis in 2000. Wanting to capture the sound of bands such as the Replacements and the Grifters, he recruited guitarist Tad Kubler (also ex-Lifter Puller), drummer Judd Counsell, and bassist Galen Polivka. Recording mostly live, the band released its debut, Almost Killed Me, on Frenchkiss Records in March 2004. Dave Gardener (Rocket from the Crypt, Drive Like Jehu) and Dean Botulonis signed on to produce Separation Sunday, which arrived in 2005. The World/Inferno Friendship Society's Franz Nicolay (keyboards) and Bobby Drake (drums), formerly of End Transmission and Arm, were also added to the Hold Steady lineup. The band's third effort, 2006's Boys and Girls in America, marked their first release for Vagrant.
their new release:
4 comments:
Okay, you're freaking me out here. I heard part of this song on the radio yesterday and loved it. But for the life of me I couldn't find out who it was. Get out of my brain, would you? It's already overcrowded as it is.
hahaha!!!
that is so weird!!
i have the new cd and at first wasn't sure if i was going to like it. it is a continuation of the same characters from separation sunday -- which is amazing. but boys and girls in american is really growing on me. i think i'm really going to like it too. but if you were going to choose, i would go with separation sunday. and you have to have the whole album since it's a linear story.
That video was awesome and song has a hook that sinks in deep. Another band to add to the list of must hear...
angie, looks like it could have been filmed in AZ.
i love hooks.
just the other day i was bitching about music, saying music no longer has hooks. i want hooks!! big hooks!!
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