Artist: The Hold Steady
Album: Teeth Dreams
Source: Itunes Radio
Pre-listening Notes: I was really late to the game on The Hold Steady. I heard Lifter Puller, front man Crain Finn's previous band, back, in the 90's, but wasn't a huge fan at the time. I revisited them sometime about 3 or 4 years ago and decided to give his new band a shot. I had always just taken them for some hipster garbage due to the look of that guy who isn't in the band anymore. After devouring the first LP, Almost Killed Me, I have slowly worked myself into each album after and became kind of a fan. They are a pretty great indie rock band that has some classic rock, and definitely a little punk, influences and a singer who likes to talk-sing. Lyrically, there is a lot of storytelling with characters from songs coming in and out and even making repeat appearances on later albums. There are also a lot of references, sometimes to partying, sometimes to places, and sometimes even obscure people. If you called this hipster garbage, I wouldn't fight with you, but if you give it half a chance it's actually pretty good and catchy.
Initial Reaction: The album opens with the great song I Hope This Whole Didn't Frighten You, which was one of the previously leaked tracks. It's a catchy, classic sounding Hold Steady song, with a sing-a-long chorus. Musically, the song has some great melody to it.
Random Thoughts: The second song, Spinners, is another example of the band just writes catchy, infectious music. By the time you get to the second chorus, you're almost ready to at least mumble along. The album seems to focus more on the classic rock sounds than previous albums. They have always been there, but this one just seems to be a little more prominent. Woah, The Ambassador really brings the "pretty". This is a nice, slow, melodic, ballad. This album hits on all the Springsteen influence elements, for sure. Halfway point, this is great. The second half opens strong with the song, Big Cig, which is almost a dancey song. Wait a While delivers, yet again, on a catchy guitar hooks and lines to a chorus that you will still be singing hours after you stop listening. Another ballad! Almost Everything digs more into the nostalgic past of Finn. It ends on two slow songs, which might be the only hiccup in my eyes.
Final Reaction: This is a really, really good record. I already liked this band and because of this record I will continue to do so. They didn't break any new ground, but they also didn't just release a stale version of any previous album. They mixed it up enough to make it seem fresh, but kept it close enough to home that you wouldn't mistake this for anything other than a Hold Steady record. Will listen again......lots of times.
Final Grade: 8.5/10
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