MAGNET's overrated/underrated Hold Steady songlist

[magnetmag]

Today, MAGNET magazine posted its list of the five most overrated and five most underrated songs by the Hold Steady. Check it out here: www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/04/28/the-overunder-the-hold-steady/

To read the feature MAGNET did on the band in 2006 (the year the magazine named "Boys And Girls In America" the number-one album of the year), go here: www.magnetmagazine.com/2006/10/06/the-hold-steady-tramps-like-us/

[hoodrat]

i just find these puzzling. under or overrated by whom? is there someone out there who thinks killer parties sucks? or who is a "fan" but hasn't heard it? or stevie nix for that matter?

but "chicago seems tired" is overrated? ruh?

[gushingblood]

he’s one of very few lyricists who could probably list a Rand McNally road atlas as an influence

Ha

the paraphrasing of the “Thunder Road” line “You ain’t a beauty, but hey, you’re all right” (which Finn already accomplished in detail with the previous album’s “Southtown Girls”).

I did not notice that, nice observation.

:: The Five Most Underrated Hold Steady Songs
1. “Knuckles”
YES, oh yes.

That was a really great read, and "If you mention a song’s bass line, that automatically means it’s underrated." is so fucking true.

[gushingblood]

Also, I don't really think that people in general overate specific THS songs, the band themselves yes, but their specific songs aren't that well known, so I don't think they can be overrated, unless from a fan's POV.
Bleurgh, I'm rambling.

[heidivandernice, nice]

aw, but i think it's pretty clear magnet has a crush on THS for making this list in the first place. i knew i loved you, magnet.

[Jersey]

I've always said they should rename "Cutters" to "This is the time during the show that you should go get another beer or have a cigarette"

[cal]

that was a nice read, and totally agree with the dude who wrote this. i would go as far to say that knuckles is my favourite THS song, and definatly desrves some time in the live set once in a while

[Matt Jones]

I pretty much agree with that list with the exception of Chicago. Love that song.

And I'm not huge on Stay Positive (the song).

[stevedave]

It's a nice list. Nice to see the details get paid attention to. What japes.

[hoodrat]

Apr 28, 2009 14:46:55 GMT -5 Jersey said:

I've always said they should rename "Cutters" to "This is the time during the show that you should go get another beer or have a cigarette"

hmmm, and i thought i was the grumpy one today. this is the time during the show where i get a little light-headed and begin to contemplate the hazards of buying my spouse a belt buckle with the new hampshire state seal.

[JonnyJay]

I like every song on both of those lists, even Cutters. Hm..

[212margarita]

Apr 28, 2009 16:24:40 GMT -5 JonnyJay said:

I like every song on both of those lists, even Cutters. Hm..

I'm with you, it was an interesting read, but i tend to get a little defensive about Cutters...I really love that song.

[JonnyJay]

Same! Since when are harpsichords a bad thing? Also, I love what it adds to the narrative.

[terry]

"A crucial lyric in the song seems to be, “They had cigarettes where there were supposed to be eyes,” like it’s a punch line or a profound observation. Have no idea what it means. Sounds like a description of a Jawa."

ugh

[kim]

Is this list supposed to be in a specific order? Like that Hoodrat is more overrated than Cutters?

[sactochris]

How In the fuck could anyone think Hoodrat, or Sequestered is overratred. I want some of whatever drug that guy is on because It's obviously very good.

[roboreckles]

People underrate Stevie Nix and Killer Parties? Looks like the calibration on THAT Magnet is all whacked out.


LOLOLOL

[lilhan]

HA.
i don't understand this at ALL.
who chooses? pfft.
i like (actually, LOVE) every single song on those lists.

[Tiffany]

Apr 28, 2009 14:46:55 GMT -5 Jersey said:

I've always said they should rename "Cutters" to "This is the time during the show that you should go get another beer or have a cigarette"

My thoughts exactly. I hear the opening notes and I'm outta there and that is the only time I take a break during the shows.

[Tiffany]

Apr 28, 2009 18:10:01 GMT -5 terry said:

"A crucial lyric in the song seems to be, “They had cigarettes where there were supposed to be eyes,” like it’s a punch line or a profound observation. Have no idea what it means. Sounds like a description of a Jawa."

ugh

Ugh, seconded.

[gushingblood]

I liked the Jawa line.

[ameritoon]

I don't know if underrated and overrated should be the adjectives for this list. Since when in Stay Positive not thought of highly?

Two of my favorite songs on the overrated list, too.

[Sunny D]

I really don't see "Killer Parties" as being underrated...
Or overrated for that matter, but definately not overrated.

I see "One For The Cutters" being underrated, rather than overrated.

[muzzleofbees]

The overrated/underrated-terms are pretty useless, and I think the selection shows how people understands them completely different.

But I totally agree on Girls Like Status. It would have been a highlight on Boys And Girls, if included, and is imo one of the bands ten best songs.

[JonnyJay]

Yeah, this list would be more accurate if it was simply called "My least favorite/favorite Hold Steady songs", because that's pretty much what it is.