The Hold Steady Band • Page 9

how do you feel about his solo stuff?

i personally think that Fiestas & Fiascos-Almost Killed Me-Separation Sunday is my favorite run of his career besides the last 3 solo albums, so i really like the speak-singing thing personally, and as such i consider this a return to form over the past two THS albums (although HIW has some bops). But if you're not into that I get why you'd not love it.

 

Weird, I find it highly melodic; more so than I remember a lot of their past, but I should probably revisit that.

 

Have never really cared for his solo stuff, tbh.

 

This is how I feel too! Craigs speak-singing has always been one of the weakest parts of their music for me (lyrics are always amazing though) and I find it more appealing than ever on here.

 

Did you check out his latest, I Need a New War? I was always on the fence about his solo stuff, but I think that one is really strong.

 

I listened to it once, but I admittedly wasn't in the right headspace. I'll go back to it.

 

On first listen, I thought this was pretty good, but it's growing on me very quickly. Craig's lyrics are in absolutely top form.

 

These guys were phenomenal tonight, as expected

 

They played For Boston!!!!!!

 

hell yeah, fiestas + fiascos is the greatest album of all time

 

I don’t know why it took this long for me to realize that T Shirt Tux is the best song on this album.

 

I like the last two a lot but this new one feels like it’s picking up where Stay Positive left off and I’m absolutely here for it

 

This album is a total A+ for me. Enjoy all 10 songs a great deal.

Both the keys and the joy are back in this band.

 

So THS are playing two shows in two nights -- one for Boys and Girls, one for Stay Positive -- in Melbourne right after I turn 30. Don't think I'll be able to get there but by gum I'm gonna try

 

Have never listened to this band before but I've been obsessed with Craig Finn's "God In Chicago" and "Something To Hope For" over the past week or so.. what's a good place to start?

 

I go back and forth on my favorite album of theirs but I think "Boys and Girls in America" is the best entry point for sure

 

Boys and Girls was my favorite, that record with Separation Sunday and Stay Positive are the holy trinity

 

I’d say start with ‘Boys & Girls’, if you dig the lyrics go to ‘Separation Sunday’ and if you dig the anthemic rock-vibes go to ‘Stay Positive’. If you like those first two, go back to the Lifter Puller record ‘Fiestas + Fiascos’.

 

You will love Boys & Girls in America.

 

BAGIA is the best starting point, then Separation Sunday, and from there up to you

 

their new record is criminally underrated. It’s probably my third favorite of theirs

 

I think Boys and Girls is my favorite album but SS has my favorite songs overall.

 

I think I agree with this.

 

First four records are all extremely excellent, all their other others are just excellent except Teeth Dreams which is merely quite great. Band doesn't write "bad" songs

 

You were very right.