930 Forums

=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: mr. pretentious on October 31, 2005, 02:07:00 pm

Title: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: mr. pretentious on October 31, 2005, 02:07:00 pm
So what is this band like?  I've been meaning to get their album for some time now, but I know absolutely NOTHING about them.
 
 Who do they sound like?  Are the lyrics good?  Do they know how to rock?  Etc., etc.  Cure me of my ignorance.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: brennser on October 31, 2005, 02:09:00 pm
I like em - their album is a grower....they definitely know how to rock in a gruff, early Springsteenish sort of way
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: BookerT on October 31, 2005, 02:21:00 pm
yeah, i like 'em ... extremely springsteen, but dirtied up. they are going to be on an episode of "lost" soon, where the fat guy goes on a date with the comic book chick from "the o.c." so get on the bandwagon now.
 
 they have a whole lot of lyrics ... lots and lots of words, many of them big. i feel like they are a very dude-friendly band, wouldn't be surprised if chicks weren't that into them.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: ratioci nation on October 31, 2005, 02:24:00 pm
the deal with them is that they are fucking good
 
 dont say springsteen, you will tarnish them for me
 
 I like both of their albums
 
 oh and I think they share members with the now gone Lifter Puller, whose albums I keep an eye out for
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on October 31, 2005, 02:32:00 pm
I don't really like them. I like singers, not guys that bark like dogs.
 
 And I don't get the Springsteen comparisons.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: oldy on October 31, 2005, 02:39:00 pm
the Hold Steady's core (Craig Finn & Tadd Kubler) use to be in a band called lifter puller in the twin cities. then craig moved to NY and started a band called the hold steady (i was bored when i didnt have a band so i started a band).
 they are a lot like older springsteen in the music part and a lot like billy joel in lyrics part.
 those that dont like them cant stand craig's singing.
 the lyrics are fun to analyse. NPR did a segment on them and the NPR website has an analysis of lyrics to 3 songs by them.
 so yeah...imma fan
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: ratioci nation on October 31, 2005, 02:45:00 pm
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4812224 (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4812224)
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: Julian, Alleged Computer F**kface on October 31, 2005, 02:51:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Etan de Balzac, Footie Ball Player:
  I don't really like them.
 
 And I don't get the Springsteen comparisons.
Agreed.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: brennser on October 31, 2005, 02:58:00 pm
listen harder!
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by [username edited by p.c. moderator]:
   
Quote
Originally posted by Etan de Balzac, Footie Ball Player:
  I don't really like them.
 
 And I don't get the Springsteen comparisons.
Agreed. [/b]
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: Bombay Chutney on October 31, 2005, 03:13:00 pm
I love The Hold Steady.  Great, crunchy rock on top of a landslide of interesting lyrics.  I wish they hadn't skipped DC last time around.  Not sure about the Bruce point of reference.  I'll have to listen closer for that.  Highly recommended though.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: ggw on October 31, 2005, 03:16:00 pm
If you don't get the Springsteen allusions, you probably don't know Springsteen beyond Born in the USA and Dancing in the Dark.
 
 It's an apt comparison in that Springsteen pioneered that half-spoken, stream-of consciousness, gritty urban tales over basic rock framework.  Go listen to Greetings from Asbury Park.
 
 Personally, I like the Hold Steady.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on October 31, 2005, 03:20:00 pm
I have Born in the USA, Born to Run, the River, Nebraska, and Tom Joad. Admittedly, I don't listen to any of them that much, but I still don't see that much of a comparison. I listen to the Hold Steady and I hear a guy doing a lot of yelling.
 
 
 "half-spoken, stream-of consciousness, gritty urban tales over basic rock framework"
 
 You could just as well be describing BonJovi or Lou Reed solo.
 
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
  If you don't get the Springsteen allusions, you probably don't know Springsteen beyond Born in the USA and Dancing in the Dark.
 
 It's an apt comparison in that Springsteen pioneered that half-spoken, stream-of consciousness, gritty urban tales over basic rock framework.  Go listen to Greetings from Asbury Park.
 
 Personally, I like the Hold Steady.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: Julian, Alleged Computer F**kface on October 31, 2005, 03:26:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Etan de Balzac, Footie Ball Player:
  "half-spoken, stream-of consciousness, gritty urban tales over basic rock framework"
 
 You could just as well be describing BonJovi or Lou Reed solo.
 
John Cougar Mellancamp comes immediately to mind.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: brennser on October 31, 2005, 03:26:00 pm
Quote
Admittedly, I don't listen to any of them that much, but I still don't see that much of a comparison.
sometimes the jokes write themselves   :D
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: brennser on October 31, 2005, 03:28:00 pm
exactly!
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
  If you don't get the Springsteen allusions, you probably don't know Springsteen beyond Born in the USA and Dancing in the Dark.
 
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on October 31, 2005, 03:32:00 pm
Once or twice a year qualifies as "not much" in my listening. I know that's par for the course for you people that have like 3000+ albums in your collections.  :) , but for me it's not much.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by brennser:
   
Quote
Admittedly, I don't listen to any of them that much, but I still don't see that much of a comparison.
sometimes the jokes write themselves    :D  [/b]
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: on October 31, 2005, 03:34:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by El Jefe:
  So what is this band like?  Who do they sound like?  Are the lyrics good?  Do they know how to rock?  Etc., etc.  Cure me of my ignorance.
The music these handsome young men with guitars make brings to mind what it feels like having Jon Bon Jovi's ripping man cock planted firmly in one's ass as the Ronette's fondle your nutsack from behind.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: amnesiac on October 31, 2005, 03:43:00 pm
Craig Finn always sounds like he's on a drunken rant. I personally think it sounds awesome. Great drinkin' music.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: ggw on October 31, 2005, 04:01:00 pm
Play 'Greetings...' or 'The Wild, The Innocent...' or maybe even 'Darkness on the Edge of Town' -- then play Separation Sunday.  The similarities will readily become apparent.
 
 Born to Run and the River are a bit too polished; Nebraska is a different animal altogether; Born in the USA is just crap; and I have never listened to Tom Joad.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on October 31, 2005, 04:11:00 pm
Oh come on. I defy anyone who was in high school when Born in the USA was released to play it now as they are driving around in their car and call it "crap". That album is pure fun, something you can only say about a few of his other songs.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: ratioci nation on October 31, 2005, 04:11:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
  Play 'Greetings...' or 'The Wild, The Innocent...' or maybe even 'Darkness on the Edge of Town' -- then play Separation Sunday.  The similarities will readily become apparent.
 
 Born to Run and the River are a bit too polished; Nebraska is a different animal altogether; Born in the USA is just crap; and I have never listened to Tom Joad.
I just listened to Lost in the Flood off of greetings, yes it does sound like it, no it wont make me like springsteen, that ship has sailed.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: mr. pretentious on October 31, 2005, 05:00:00 pm
So which album do you recommend me to get?  Separation Sunday or the other one?
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on October 31, 2005, 05:08:00 pm
Greetings from Asbury Park.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by El Jefe:
  So which album do you recommend me to get?  Separation Sunday or the other one?
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: Bombay Chutney on October 31, 2005, 05:30:00 pm
I'd go with The Hold Steady Almost Killed Me.  I think it's a little more fun than Separation Sunday.  They're both good though.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: kurosawa-b/w on October 31, 2005, 05:35:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by BookerT:
  i feel like they are a very dude-friendly band, wouldn't be surprised if chicks weren't that into them.
You got it. I've tried to like them but just don't.
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: Crunchbird on November 03, 2005, 04:10:00 pm
The most tragic thing is that they not only skipped DC on their last tour swing, they're skipping us on this current tour as well!  They just did a show in Chicago with Thunderbirds are Now! and The Constantines ... now that's an indie-hype triple bill that would be worth going out for!
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: brennser on November 03, 2005, 04:15:00 pm
agreed - was listening to the album again today and thinking how much fun it would be to see them live
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by Crunchbird:
  The most tragic thing is that they not only skipped DC on their last tour swing, they're skipping us on this current tour as well!  They just did a show in Chicago with Thunderbirds are Now! and The Constantines ... now that's an indie-hype triple bill that would be worth going out for!
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: jpbelmondo on November 03, 2005, 06:15:00 pm
the record is okay if you like nondescript bar band music with an occasional catchy riff and atonal vocal rambling; the band is better live, particularly if you have had several drinks, because you can't hear the vocals anyway
Title: Re: What's the deal with...The Hold Steady?
Post by: kurosawa-b/w on November 03, 2005, 06:41:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Crunchbird:
  They just did a show in Chicago with Thunderbirds are Now! and The Constantines ... now that's an indie-hype triple bill that would be worth going out for!
I wouldn't mind seeing The Constantines...