The Hold Steady do more than their name implies...

The first thing you think when you hear Craig Finn from The Hold Steady, is that he sounds an awful lot like Bruce Springsteen. That’s certainly not the worst comparison to have if you’re a modern rocker.
On The Hold Steady’s latest release, Stay Positive, the band embraces its inner “Boss” and cuts lose with perhaps the best rock album of the summer, if not the year. The album certainly smacks of early Springsteen, especially The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle. Mixed with all the soaring guitars is the driving piano that Springsteen has immortalized on such albums as Born to Run.
The album kicks off with the fantastic “Constructive Summer” and then slides into “Sequestered in Memphis” which is a mix of Springsteen’s music and Bob Dylan’s lyrics. Not only does the band tackle the typical rock anthems, but it also delves into deeper, less characteristic sounds on songs like “Lord, I’m Discouraged.” Tracks like “One for the Cutters” makes uses of harpsichord to create an almost eerie effect when coupled with the electric guitars.
What really drives the album is Finn’s vocals. They’re front and center in every song, and whether he’s singing a love song or wondering about his place in the universe, he makes every word he sings immediate and intimate.
The album leaked a month or so early, so in an effort to add something new for those who actually waited for the album, there are three hidden tracks tacked onto the last song, and they are some of the best tracks on the album.
If you’re looking for the rock album of the summer, want to indulge in a little Springsteen-esque music, or even get your kids on the road to Springsteen, Stay Positive is the album for you.