The Hold Steady – Stay Positive


Band: The Hold Steady
Album: Stay Positive
Genre: Rock
Label: Vagrant

Tracks:
1. Constructive Summer
2. Sequestered in Memphis
3. One For The Cutters
4. Navy Sheets
5. Lord, I’m Discouraged
6. Yeah Sapphire
7. Both Crosses
8. Stay Positive
9. Magazines
10. Joke About Jamaica
11. Slapped Actress

Everyone has a band that they’ve always heard about, but never got deeply into themselves. For me, that bans is The Hold Steady and so it should go without saying that I was anxious to finally find an opportunity to dive into them once Stay Positive arrived at UTG. These pop music laced rockers have been grabbing the hearts and attention of music fans for a few years now and this latest release is said to take the band to a whole new level. Having never really heard them Id didn’t know what to expect, but I must say, I’m not completely sure what all the rage is about.

The album opens with, “Constructive Summer,” which comes in with driving guitar work a beautiful piano as vocalist Bobby Drakes bold voice comes in to navigate this solid melody. The song talks about making something out of the sumer and works really well to pull you into the band. The bridge especially is strong through the use of poignant piano and it makes you excited for what’s to come. Things then become slightly more moderately paced with, “Sequestered in Memphis,” which, once agin has solid piano work. This song has more of a southern rock feel [laced with a bit of country]. Drake sounds like a new age Tom Petty, but with a less than engaging voice. The chorus however, is very catchy and gets you more into the overall groove of the album. “One For The cutters,” is a great story song, but musically it’s jut not appealing. Some synth keys and drums lead the song, but then real piano guides the vocal breaks. Once again, the piano is gorgeous but overall this song just makes you ancy to hit the “skip” button and move on in hopes of finding something as engaging a the beginning of the album.

The album picks up the rock pace with, “Navy Sheets.” This one has synth straight from Motion City Soundtrack and lyrics that only Drake would write. The song feels straight out of the 90’s alternative scene, but with something that just speaks urgency and it grabs us by the collar and tells us not to give up on the album just yet. The follow up, “Lord, I’m Discourage,” once again slows things up, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This is a straight forward song of loving a women going down the wrong path in life. Lyrically, we get a tale of a guy doing everytihng he can to keep this women from giving up on life, yet stays in the shadows in hopes she’ll one day fall for him. Drake’s voice tears at your heart strings and I can only say I was mesmerized by this song. If only the whole album sounded like these five minutes it would stunning, but at least we have this one track. Having placed such an amazing track in the middle of the record doesn’t help the follower, “Yeah sapphire,” because though it’s alright sounding, it fails in comparison to what we’ve just heard. However, “Both Crosses,” which begins with stunning subtlety brings us back into the record with it’s deep design and lyrical content. The guitars sound unrefined and the drums pulsate just below everything like an animal on the prowl. Drake references multiple biblical figures in this track to really show his master craft at writing [as opposed to vocals necessary] and it’s all pour gold coming from his pen.

The Title Track, “Stay Positive,” starts with vibes that match the title perfectly. This then joined with gang vocals and lyrics about the current music scene makes for a great pop rock track. Te music shines here, especially the bridge which feels straight out of 80’s rock for a moment before hitting the Hold Steady stride. “Magazines,” the ninth track has a early Hootie and the Blowfish feel to it [minus the harmonica] while, “Joke About Jamaica,” teeters on the brink of lyrical greatness. Lasting only four and a half minutes, the lyrics are great in length and lasting ability. The piano accompaniment to a thick bass line and driving drums, beat is lovely. The song echoes “the story of my life,” in style, but flows like pure water. This then leads to the closer, “Slapped Actress.” now, what begins as an exceptional closer with a great beat, just seems to fall apart for me. The lyrics are weak and seem to amount to a less than mesmerizing climax. For someone who writes ridiculously deep lyrics, this one takes a step back and leaves us a bit letdown. I’m a strong believe the final track is the key to the disc and this one is lost in the woods.

As I said before, The Hold Steady are a band with a devoted fan base that can’t seem to be quiet about them. I was quite excited to begin this musical journey, but in the end I was left a bit unfulfilled. Maybe I built it up in my mind too much, but this album just felt like a hit and miss bag of tracks. Those tracks that hit are phenomenal, but those that don’t have an exact opposite effect. I think regardless of this disc, The Hold Steady are definitely a band you want to know, but maybe this isn’t the best release to start with.

*Written By: James Shotwell*
GRADE: 6/10

James Shotwell
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