This is streaming on the band's MySpace page for those who don't do torrents.


Really good album. I think it easily beats Boys and Girls in America. I think it's closest to Almost Killed Me in terms of style, which is a very good thing. "One For The Cutters", "Slapped Actress", "Joke About Jamaica", and "Lord, I'm Discouraged" are all highlights.

Not that impressed by "Navy Sheets" or "Sequestered in Memphis".

I've got a serious thing going on with Slapped Actress.

If any one song sums up the Hold Steady manifesto, it's gotta be that one.

"Slapped Actress" is probably my favorite track. What a fantastic song.

Not strictly on topic, but if anyone hasn't ventured beyond the Hold Steady's albums; check out Arms & Hearts. Awesome, epic B-side.

Wow, this one's pulling a 90 metascore right now. Pretty huge. I'll be getting my copy today after much anticipation. I'll also be seeing them Saturday!

the cursory listen failed to kick my ass like their other albums have. some of the lyrics even kinda annoyed me (subpoeanaed in texas, sequestered in memphis, wtf does that mean?), and i don't even really pay attention to lyrics usually. man, i reallly don't want to be let down by this one. guess i need to uh, "stay positive" huh? har har.

"Magazines" is still the best song on this album, I don't care what anyone says. "One boy hits her like a tambourine/the other dissin me on a message machine" or "One boy calls while the other texts/she's got boys on board and boys on deck". Great lines.

quote:

Originally posted by kalibtweli:
the cursory listen failed to kick my ass like their other albums have. some of the lyrics even kinda annoyed me (subpoeanaed in texas, sequestered in memphis, wtf does that mean?), and i don't even really pay attention to lyrics usually. man, i reallly don't want to be let down by this one. guess i need to uh, "stay positive" huh? har har.

You listen to the Hold Steady but don't pay attention to the lyrics? That's a bit odd. May as well just listen to Guns N Roses.

As for that chorus, what's to get? He was subpoenaed in Texas, and is currently sequestered in Memphis He's being asked by the cops to give evidence about some shady chick who he slept with, and is refusing.

edit: Oh, and he went there on business.

quote:

Originally posted by youandwhosearmy:

quote:

Originally posted by kalibtweli:
the cursory listen failed to kick my ass like their other albums have. some of the lyrics even kinda annoyed me (subpoeanaed in texas, sequestered in memphis, wtf does that mean?), and i don't even really pay attention to lyrics usually. man, i reallly don't want to be let down by this one. guess i need to uh, "stay positive" huh? har har.

You listen to the Hold Steady but don't pay attention to the lyrics? That's a bit odd. May as well just listen to Guns N Roses.

As for that chorus, what's to get? He was subpoenaed in Texas, and is currently sequestered in Memphis He's being asked by the cops to give evidence about some shady chick who he slept with, and is refusing.

edit: Oh, and he went there on business.

Sorry, the lyric sheet is wrong. I'm fairly certain I hear him saying "Some Peanuts in Texas, Sequestered in Memphis."

It makes it difficult to listen to really. I have gone from picturing Mr.Peanut with a cane and top hat to seeing Charlie Brown and friends in a police line up. All images are not Rock On.

I've listened long, and I've listened hard.

Dull as dishwater. I so much wanted to like 'em too.

i mean, i don't actively try to keep up with the story or theme or what have you of the song usually. sometimes lyrics jump out at me and i'll follow everything just fine, but usually listening intently to understand what's going on in a song just doesn't seem to pay enough of a dividend for me. call me a simpleton. i do generally catch phrases that i like, and i do usually like craig finn's style lyrically even though i may not know exactly what's going on. i really wouldn't equate the hold steady with g'n'r musically though. if lyrics were the only draw over g'n'r, i'd probably just read a book.
the sequestered line though, probably does make complete sense in context. i should have known better than to question a portion of finn's writing in the first place, and especially without having actually paid attention to all of it as a whole (note to self: think before posting!). how 'bout this, i don't really like it that much as a chorus.

quote:

Originally posted by kalibtweli:
how 'bout this, i don't really like it that much as a chorus.

I agree that it's a very strange line to have stuck in your head, or to sing along to at a show.

Wow, "One For The Cutters" makes me want to keep any future children of mine at home and under my protection until they're 35.

Wait...hold on a second...ok. I just finished transverberating. Carry on.

I'm sold on this album. While I don't think it's quite as good as Seperation Sunday (which is one of my favorites of the decade) I do think it's their second best album. Also, now with four damn good albums under their belts, it pretty much cements The Hold Steady as on the best bands of the decade.

Overall, its not the sheer perfection that Boys And Girls In America was, but Stay Positive is another fantastic release from one of the most consistant bands out there.

ya, its no boys and girls in america, but solid nonetheless

Please forgive me, but I can't find a single thing to like about the hold steady.

quote:

Originally posted by harrisonOWNSmccartney:
Please forgive me, but I can't find a single thing to like about the hold steady.

Too bad.

quote:

Please forgive me, but I can't find a single thing to like about the hold steady.

You're not forgiven. Although your love of Harrison makes you an object of pity. I'm sorry.
Now what was I going to say? Oh, right. To the first post here-what's to discuss? You're entirely correct.