http://www.perfectporridge.com/2008/07/15/the-hold-steady-stay-positive/ Music, Minneapolis, Mutiny Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:06:49 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 http://www.perfectporridge.com/2008/07/15/the-hold-steady-stay-positive/comment-page-1/#comment-29175 Nick Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:35:56 +0000 http://www.perfectporridge.com/2008/07/15/the-hold-steady-stay-positive/#comment-29175 Alright. I went to the sold out show at First Avenue last night. I admit that I was excited for the show, but I saw them about 3 years ago at First Ave and didn't really like it at all. The show far surpassed my expectations, and Craig Finn is (as he's always been in my opinion) a great frontman. The show was great. It is so nice to see someone truly having fun while they are performing, feeding off of the audience, without any of the contrived drable and B.S. that we've all become so used to. I have forced myself to listen to the new record, and I am really starting to like it now. If there is anything I have figured out over the years, it is usually true that if you like something right away it won't last long, but if it grows on you it will be a favorite for a long time. Springsteen references aside, these guys are a good band. They know how to write good songs. Finn knows how to make the most of his vocal abilities (or inabilities.) They have figured out how to work a sing along chorus into songs that really don't have any traditional singing. Finn is a fantastic writer and if you know what he is saying it makes up the non traditional approach. Just remember, Lou Reed and Bob Dylan couldn't really sing either. I think that if Finn could sing that Hold Steady would have been dismissed by most, because his characteristic vocals are what really set them apart from the other so called bar bands, along with his great knack for words. Alright. I went to the sold out show at First Avenue last night. I admit that I was excited for the show, but I saw them about 3 years ago at First Ave and didn’t really like it at all. The show far surpassed my expectations, and Craig Finn is (as he’s always been in my opinion) a great frontman. The show was great. It is so nice to see someone truly having fun while they are performing, feeding off of the audience, without any of the contrived drable and B.S. that we’ve all become so used to. I have forced myself to listen to the new record, and I am really starting to like it now. If there is anything I have figured out over the years, it is usually true that if you like something right away it won’t last long, but if it grows on you it will be a favorite for a long time. Springsteen references aside, these guys are a good band. They know how to write good songs. Finn knows how to make the most of his vocal abilities (or inabilities.) They have figured out how to work a sing along chorus into songs that really don’t have any traditional singing. Finn is a fantastic writer and if you know what he is saying it makes up the non traditional approach. Just remember, Lou Reed and Bob Dylan couldn’t really sing either. I think that if Finn could sing that Hold Steady would have been dismissed by most, because his characteristic vocals are what really set them apart from the other so called bar bands, along with his great knack for words.

]]> http://www.perfectporridge.com/2008/07/15/the-hold-steady-stay-positive/comment-page-1/#comment-28985 Nick Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:53:34 +0000 http://www.perfectporridge.com/2008/07/15/the-hold-steady-stay-positive/#comment-28985 I did however see them on Letterman last night, and it gave me hope for the show next week. I'll keep everyone posted. Their performance was pretty good. I did however see them on Letterman last night, and it gave me hope for the show next week. I’ll keep everyone posted. Their performance was pretty good.

]]> http://www.perfectporridge.com/2008/07/15/the-hold-steady-stay-positive/comment-page-1/#comment-28981 Porridge Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:06:51 +0000 http://www.perfectporridge.com/2008/07/15/the-hold-steady-stay-positive/#comment-28981 Nick, be sure to let me know what you think of the show. I have a coworker who's also going, but she's already professed to being more of a longtime Lifter Puller fan that anything. Nick, be sure to let me know what you think of the show. I have a coworker who’s also going, but she’s already professed to being more of a longtime Lifter Puller fan that anything.

]]> http://www.perfectporridge.com/2008/07/15/the-hold-steady-stay-positive/comment-page-1/#comment-28980 drewchowen Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:40:33 +0000 http://www.perfectporridge.com/2008/07/15/the-hold-steady-stay-positive/#comment-28980 yeah, kinda' feel the same. the approach was novel for a record (or two), but it wears thin... yeah, kinda’ feel the same. the approach was novel for a record (or two), but it wears thin…

]]> http://www.perfectporridge.com/2008/07/15/the-hold-steady-stay-positive/comment-page-1/#comment-28952 nick Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:43:52 +0000 http://www.perfectporridge.com/2008/07/15/the-hold-steady-stay-positive/#comment-28952 did anyone like the last album? I loved that record and still do. I'm not so sure about the new one. Ive been listening since the day it came out, and I'm not so sure yet. I am going to the show next week in Minneapolis and guess we'll see if it comes across better live. I had high hopes for this one, but had a feeling when the record came our that they might have a hard time topping it. did anyone like the last album? I loved that record and still do. I’m not so sure about the new one. Ive been listening since the day it came out, and I’m not so sure yet. I am going to the show next week in Minneapolis and guess we’ll see if it comes across better live. I had high hopes for this one, but had a feeling when the record came our that they might have a hard time topping it.

]]> http://www.perfectporridge.com/2008/07/15/the-hold-steady-stay-positive/comment-page-1/#comment-28902 Renee Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:40:51 +0000 http://www.perfectporridge.com/2008/07/15/the-hold-steady-stay-positive/#comment-28902 Amen! Amen!

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