With the release of their third album (fuck it, I'm still calling them albums) in three years, most are still not familiar with The Hold Steady. That is indeed a shame. Those that are familiar with them are polarized into those that think they are abysmal and those that think they are the best kept secret in indie music.
Following 2005's mind-blowing Separation Sunday, it was hard to fathom that Craig Finn and his band could top what many considered the best album of last year. In my opinion, Boys and Girls in America succeeds, and should be ranked amongst the best releases of 2006 at year-end.
Finn's talk-sing delivery leans a bit more to the singing side this time around but not to the detriment of his amzing storytelling. Another reviewer remarked that "this is Born to Run 30 years later," and that compliment is not overstated. There are most definitely comparisons to be made to Springsteen's no-hold barred storytelling. Finn's stories just tend to have a few seedier characters in them.
The disc opens with one of the many standout tracks "Stuck Between Stations" with direct references to Kerouac's Sal Paradise from his novel "On The Road." Kerouac's ode to the road seems to weave throughout Boys and Girls with the recurring theme that "boys and girls in America...they have such a sad time together."
"Chips Ahoy!" continues the magic with a tale about a female junkie with a penchant for picking horses. This ain't your daddy's music.
Additional standouts include "Massive Night", "Southtown Girls" and "Chill Out Tent" with the dueling male/female lovestruck in a drugged haze story of two people finding temporary love, where else, but in the chill out tent at a show.
Bottom line, this is not for everyone, but anyone who likes captivating storytelling delivered in a wildly original style needs to give this band a listen. This is the stuff that gives me hope for the future of music. Yup...it's really that good.
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