quote:

Originally posted by Shadrach:
I'm working in the interest of the board in making comments to keep them going.

Um, so am I. I wasn't telling you to only talk about general The Hold Steady stuff over there (even though that is what that thread is about) but I was merely pointing out where past/further discussion about the band can be found. You seemed like you wanted to know more about the band.

In essence, I was trying to steer people to a thread that is basically dead—sorry for trying.

quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:

quote:

Originally posted by Shadrach:
I'm working in the interest of the board in making comments to keep them going.

Um, so am I. I wasn't telling you to only talk about general The Hold Steady stuff over there (even though that is what that thread is about) but I was merely pointing out where past/further discussion about the band can be found. You seemed like you wanted to know more about the band.

In essence, I was trying to steer people to a thread that is basically dead—sorry for trying.

No, I'm sorry. I understand you now. After misreading you the first time, and then responding, I reread what you had said and realized I had probably infered too much into it.

I actually did go check out the thread and appreciated reading other peoples comments. It is strange thinking that people were actually discussing things like The Hold Steady back then, before I arrived on the forum. I discovered all of this stuff while living in a vacuum, and in my mind, I was only one in the world listening to any of it.

I keep on forgetting Shadrach wasn't around when the 2006 lists went up. It's weird thinking of a board without Shads on it It'd be like a board without JGlass or RL or hudso... oh, I just made myself sad.

I have somewhat of a problem with this album. It's more of a good problem. I can't seem to stop listening to about the first 6 tracks, and then as i progress through the album, i wanna hear those songs over again.

I had a similar problem with "Boys And Girls," but overcame it. Is it just me, or are Hold Steady records front-loaded? In fact, i never warmed up to the latter part of "Boys and Girls," but thought it was still a damn good album nonetheless.

I changed my mind, this album is just as good as the others. Although not a masterpiece on the same level as Separation Sunday.

Hey Sapphire, Both Crosses, Slapped Actress... Holy hell this album has some good songs on it.

While I do not think it is quite as good as Almost Killed Me or Separation Sunday, I think that it is at least as consistent. The only songs that I don't find to be great are "Hey Sapphire" and "Navy Sheets," and even those two are damn good.

I don't think it's front-loaded, either. If anything, I think it sags in the middle a little, which I might say about most Hold Steady albums. The beginning and end are, in my opinion, the strongest parts.

quote:

Originally posted by L. R. William Spencer:
I don't think it's front-loaded, either. If anything, I think it sags in the middle a little, which I might say about most Hold Steady albums. The beginning and end are, in my opinion, the strongest parts.

You might say this about many novels, as well.

quote:

Originally posted by JGlass:

quote:

Originally posted by L. R. William Spencer:
I don't think it's front-loaded, either. If anything, I think it sags in the middle a little, which I might say about most Hold Steady albums. The beginning and end are, in my opinion, the strongest parts.

You might say this about many novels, as well.

Well, Hold Steady albums have quite a lot in common with novels.

i am listening to it now it is pretty good

Am I the only one that thought Separation Sunday was largely forgettable? I loved the debut, and Boys and Girls is a classic, but I can't remember a single song from their 2nd album. I suppose I can give it another listen, it just wasn't very memorable.

quote:

Originally posted by Cyrone:
Am I the only one that thought Separation Sunday was largely forgettable? I loved the debut, and Boys and Girls is a classic, but I can't remember a single song from their 2nd album. I suppose I can give it another listen, it just wasn't very memorable.

I stated earlier that I can't even listen to it.

I'm enjoying this, but from the first few listens don't think it quite matches Boys and Girls in the hooks department. Magazines is the standout for me, as well as One For The Cutters, pretty nice harpsichord plucking there. Didn't see that coming from a Hold Steady album, huh.

I haven't heard anything pre-BAGIA yet, I guess I'll have to check it out soon. Seems pretty divisive.

quote:

Originally posted by thefanste:
I'm enjoying this, but from the first few listens don't think it quite matches Boys and Girls in the hooks department. Magazines is the standout for me, as well as One For The Cutters, pretty nice harpsichord plucking there. Didn't see that coming from a Hold Steady album, huh.

I haven't heard anything pre-BAGIA yet, I guess I'll have to check it out soon. Seems pretty divisive.

If the "hooks department" is important, then you might not like their first two albums as much as Boys And Girls In America. That said, there is in my opinion no excuse to not at least give both albums a lot of listens.

quote:

Originally posted by L. R. William Spencer:

quote:

Originally posted by thefanste:
I'm enjoying this, but from the first few listens don't think it quite matches Boys and Girls in the hooks department. Magazines is the standout for me, as well as One For The Cutters, pretty nice harpsichord plucking there. Didn't see that coming from a Hold Steady album, huh.

I haven't heard anything pre-BAGIA yet, I guess I'll have to check it out soon. Seems pretty divisive.

If the "hooks department" is important, then you might not like their first two albums as much as Boys And Girls In America. That said, there is in my opinion no excuse to not at least give both albums a lot of listens.

Yeah. What "Separation Sunday" lacks in hooks it makes up for in just pure in your face rock with some really clever and engrosing lyrics. But the first few times I listened to it after meeting them for the first time with "Boys and Girls.." I was disapointed that none of the songs jumped out and caught me.

Seperation Sunday has plenty of hooky, memorable songs -- "Cattle and the Creeping Things", "Your Little Hoodrat Friend", "Don't Let Me Explode", "How a Resurrection Really Feels", and especially "Multitude of Casualties". It's a far better album than BAGIA.

Just to quickly respond to BG:
I've been on this forum for 3 or 4 years now, and yes, when I joined I liked Bright Eyes. But no longer. And why should I care what people think about this name, it's not as if I'm going on and on about the underappreciated quality of Bright Eyes music, because frankly I think they blow now. You on the other hand keep on going.
To respond to the thread:
I felt like this is possibly their most affecting album next to Seperation Sunday for me. I mean the songs aren't as immediate and the first half of the album is nowhere near as melodic as I've come to expect from them, but the lyrics are now much darker( even for them), and the mood bleaker. After "Lord, I'm Discouraged" which is beautiful and at its last line my jaw literally dropped in horror/ love at, the album picks up a lot in mood. Which I think is definitely deliberate. But I have to give it more listens.

quote:

Originally posted by EricG75:
Seperation Sunday has plenty of hooky, memorable songs -- "Cattle and the Creeping Things", "Your Little Hoodrat Friend", "Don't Let Me Explode", "How a Resurrection Really Feels", and especially "Multitude of Casualties". It's a far better album than BAGIA.

I agree that Separation Sunday is the better album, I just don't think that it is nearly as "hooky". Of those songs, the only two that I'd describe as "hooky" are "Your Little Hoodrat Friend" and "Multitude Of Casualties." Memorable, though, is a different story. I think every song on the album is memorable and just plain fucking awesome.

I've never been a Hold Steady fan. I didn't like Boys and Girls in America, and I haven't liked what I've heard of their other albums (although I'll admit that I've never heard them as a whole). But I do actually like this album. I don't know why. There's a few songs here and there I could do without, but overall it's a pretty great album. (I especially love "Sequestered In Memphis".)

OMG!

I could never get into Boys And Girls In America so I thought i'd pass, but for some reason I just gave it a chance and listened to it and now, after just one listen (!) all I want to do is just immerse myself in all the music they ever done!

SO F@#%ING STRONG!

quote:

Originally posted by CandyFlossGirl:
OMG!

Did anyone see the cover caption of the CMG review of Dan Friel?

"ZOMG!"

For some reason I got a good laugh out of that. Those CMG guys are kinda kooky.