Full Review: The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

The Hold Steady have managed to take a somewhat unpopular and usually underground genre and style into the spotlight which is crowded with one too many smooth singers. ‘Stay Positive’ is a progression for the band and a direction full of potential.

For those unfamiliar with the band, The Hold Steady is the point where indie rock and punk cross. The piano/keys add a bit of pop while the raw, distressed vocals give the style a lot of grit. The album covers all tempos while sticking to a very cohesive style all the way though.

“Constructive Summer” opens the album with a healthy paced rock anthem that even includes group vocals. The song, through chord progression and lyrics, lays out images of having a summer filled with innocence and exploration. Although “Constructive Summer” makes a good opening song, “Sequestered In Memphis” raises the bar. The song manages through the first verse just in time to make it to the catchy chorus melody. The song sticks out as one of the albums most memorable due in large part to the second half of the track.

Both “One For The Cutters” and “Navy Sheets” have a, more than usual, chaotic feel to them and lack some of the hooks that the rest of the songs have. Neither one fell into its own groove and started rubbing the wrong way with each listen. The two songs are unique to the record though and the only ones which could be described as “slightly painful”.

The title track, “Stay Positive” along with the following song “Magazines” are right up there with “Sequestered In Memphis” as some of the best. “Stay Positive” recounts some of the dues the band has paid in making it to where they are now.

Overall, if this is your style of music and your idea of a good time then turn up the volume because the satisfying record should suite you well. While ‘Stay Positive’ is not perfect it more than achieves the band’s goal of aging them gracefully.

Track Listing
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