john k
Midnight Hauler
Posts: 2,035
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Post by john k on Apr 30, 2010 16:16:09 GMT -5
according to those in the know, mr reis helped write rock problems and played guitar on it. now i know why its my fav song off HIW
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Post by saintstrummer on Apr 30, 2010 20:03:23 GMT -5
I love some of it but not all. Good/Really good - Sweet part of the city, soft in the center, Weekenders, Barely Breathing, Slight Discomfort Ok/Fair - Rock Problems, We can get together, The Smidge Sub par - Hurricane J, Our Whole Live (cheese) I would rank it fifth of their work. 7/10
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Post by theriver on May 1, 2010 6:24:17 GMT -5
So after creeping on these boards for a few months I figure maybe I should join (plus I'm getting tired of posting my opinions on the Hold Steady on my Facebook where no one cares). Admittingly, I've only listened to Heaven is Whenever on laptop speakers, and I know shit about music, but I gotta put in my two cents anyway: I love this CD. I'm not feeling "The Sweet Part of the City" as an opening song, though, but I'm not sure why since I do like the song alright. "Soft in the Center" really picks it up for me, though, and I like it--the chorus makes me grin, however cheesy. "The Smidge" made me cringe, in contrast (although I'm glad I'm apparently not the only one not into it, even if I am in the minority with that); it's probably going to be one of those songs I ignore for a few months and then fall in love with, though. Until then, I'm probably going to keep skipping it. I totally don't get the hate on "Hurricane J", either. Maybe it's because it was the first song from the new CD I heard, but I've had it on repeat since it was posted on Youtube, haha. "Barely Breathing" is definitely my favorite off the album, though, with "We Can Get Together" being my favorite lyrics-wise (although, seriously, those backing vocals? ugh). And "A Slight Discomfort" actually gave me chills the first time I heard it. Overall, I definitely like this album more than their last CD (which I skip a good portion of when listening to), probably better than Almost Killed Me, as well, but not quite as much as Separation Sunday or Boys and Girls in America. ... also, I'm sorry if this post is kinda long-winded for a first post. That is a fairly awesome first post. Welcome!
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Post by dhartley34 on May 1, 2010 8:12:11 GMT -5
this album gets better on every listen for me. can't wait till I can go pick up hard copies of this and Broken Social Scene's Forgiveness Rock Record on Tuesday.
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mcstevepants
Hoodrat
Shaky but still tryin' to shake it.
Posts: 400
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Post by mcstevepants on May 1, 2010 11:19:19 GMT -5
I want to move to MN and get a place on Hennepin.
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Post by Ellie J on May 1, 2010 15:45:55 GMT -5
That is a fairly awesome first post. Welcome! Thanks! I aim to please. Or, at least, not come off completely daft when I post. -- In other news, I take back what I said about "The Smidge". Two days later, it's been stuck in my head since last night and I think I kinda like it now.
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mixer
Cityscape Skin
Posts: 5
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Post by mixer on May 1, 2010 20:26:12 GMT -5
lived with this album for a week or so. its certainly a grower. a slight discomfort, barely breathing and we can get together are among the best they've done in my opinion. at the moment I think it's better than stay positive and maybe even bagia. i think it's the kind of album that needs a few weeks to bed in though - can't give a definite opinion this early. i certainly think some have been too hasty in dismissing it as the weakest album.
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bigontheinside
Midnight Hauler
If you don't know the words, don't sing along
Posts: 1,478
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Post by bigontheinside on May 3, 2010 11:30:15 GMT -5
Finally got this, even though the world seemed to be against be getting it (I got mugged). Sweet Part Of The City - 7/10 Very enjoyable, but I don't find it the sort of song you can fall in love with. Soft In The Centre - 8/10 Brilliant song. Not much else to say about it, though The Weekenders - 9/10 The perfect rock song. The Smidge - 8/10 A lot of fun! Especially love the lyrics at the end, something about smudging smoke into the night. Smudge is a very underused word in rock. Rock Problems - 8.5/10 Catchy, fun, funny and has a very Thin Lizzy part of the solo. What's not to love? We Can Get Together - 9/10 Epic and beautiful. I feel this could reach 10/10 in a few more listens. Hurricane J - 9/10 First time I heard this, I was kinda like "meh". But in the context of the album I suddenly fell in love with it! Barely Breathing - 10/10 Quite possibly my favourite Hold Steady song. It's certainly up there. It's different, interesting, and just sounds fantastic. Our Whole Lives - 9/10 Poppy, fun, great lyrics, can't listen to it without a smile on my face! A Slight Discomfort - ?/10 Haven't listened to it, ha! I'm always a bit nervous to listening to the last song on an album, they're usually pretty epic, and what I've heard about A Slight Discomfort, that's exactly what it is. Epic songs need to be listened to at the right moment. Tonight maybe.
Conclusion: LOVE IT. I guess a Slight Discomfort will change mind but right now, I think it's better than AKM, probably better than BAGIA, and definitely up with Stay Positive and maybe even Separation Sunday (gasp!). (I know that probably seems a bit crazy, Stay Positive being one of my favourites, but I love it.)
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Post by theblondette on May 3, 2010 11:41:54 GMT -5
Here's some stuff I just tapped into a facebook note as I listened through for the 1st time.
All opinions subject to change on further listening!
THE SWEET PART OF THE CITY Wow, that guitar is almost... country. There's definitely a different sound. Quite murky production here. Soft vocals from Craig.
SOFT IN THE CENTER The tune of this doesn't stick in my head, though that may change. Big guitars. Lyrics are interesting - more distance between the "you" and the "me" than is sometimes typical. We're not all in this together - Craig is talking to a younger-you/me. "I know what you're going through. I had to go through that too."
THE WEEKENDERS Ok, this is anthemic summer rock. Definitely a singalong song. Not much else to say about it yet... Some nice lyrical touches.
THE SMIDGE Some interesting dirty/scuzzy sounds there. Quite heavy. Not sure how well I think it fits together, but this is definitely one to try cranking up later. Sounds quite...piecemeal at the moment.
ROCK PROBLEMS Love the wry lyrics to this. I think this is one of those catchy singalongable THS songs that don't necessarily hold your heart but are a whole lot of fun.
WE CAN GET TOGETHER I love how much music this song references. It's about being a fan, which is sort of nice following a song which is all about being-more-than-a-fan. Quite slow paced but sweet. Interesting harmonies.
HURRICANE J I do love a good spot of Oh-Oh-Ohs at the start of a song. Another poppy rock number. Great choice for a single. Makes me want to wave a lighter. This one sounds quite Stay Positive, what with the upbeat tune and the darker lyrics. "Jesse, I don't think I'm the guy" - but he's still complicit in what's happening to her. Lots of levels here.
BARELY BREATHING Really not sure what I make of the sound of this... Almost discordantly jaunty. I think I could grow to love this, or to dislike it quite a bit.
OUR WHOLE LIVES The lyrics to this seem to be a counterpoint the rest of the album - ironically so? It seems to be undoing some of the ... emotional progress of the rest of the album. "We can't be good every night."
A SLIGHT DISCOMFORT Downbeat, murky sort of sound to this. Interesting song choice for the end of the album - does that mean it's more an album of drowning, rather than waving, after all? I think there's a choice here. Maybe it's better to feel a slight discomfort. At least it's feeling.
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Post by bobsacamano on May 3, 2010 14:29:23 GMT -5
I was a fan of Hurricane J when I first heard it, but now hearing it on the album... man, that transition from We Can Get Together to Hurricane J is a freakin' punch in the face. I mean that in a good way. Holy hell. So perfect.
I think that this might have the best flow if a Hold Steady album since Separation Sunday. It just all fits so perfectly. Though to be perfectly honest I'm not sure how I feel about the Sweet Part of the City yet.
There were a few songs on Stay Positive that I just found kind of off-putting, like Navy Sheets and Magazines (love most of the song, found the backing vocals to be really grating), and a couple others that just didn't do anything for me. There isn't a single song (save maybe Sweet Part, we'll see) that I feel that way about.
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Post by bobsacamano on May 3, 2010 15:02:43 GMT -5
How can anyone dislike Our Whole Lives? The "bang bang bang" parts are so awesome. If there is a song on this album that just oozes the Hold Steady, it's Our Whole Lives, hands down.
"Father I have sinned and I want to do it again eventually"
Christ Craig... only you can write a lyric as kick-ass as that.
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bigontheinside
Midnight Hauler
If you don't know the words, don't sing along
Posts: 1,478
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Post by bigontheinside on May 3, 2010 16:53:49 GMT -5
Ok. Just listened to A Slight Discomfort for the first time. Epic friggin stuff. Loved it. Only criticism is that it's a teensy bit too long. Maybe that's just because I had to listen to it at a lowish volume - parents have gone to bed. Probably on par with Slapped Actress and way ahead of Southtown Girls; but can it top Killer Parties and/or resurrection? Only time will tell. 9/10
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Post by noisemakerblue on May 3, 2010 16:57:11 GMT -5
The album finally got released today (May 3rd) in the UK. Having read this thread I was a little worried that I would be underwhelmed by the new album by my favourite band. Well the good news is I'm not. I've only listened to it one and a half times and I'm fairly pleased with it. My favourite THS tracks are always the faster numbers with the dirty guitar lines. Words jotted down about guitar sounds on this album are:
Sweet Part Of The City.........."shimmering" Soft In The Centre................."chugging" The Smidge..........................."growling"
I've read several comments about the backing vocals, in my opinion they are too high in the mix on this album. I would have eased them back a bit or dropped them completely as I don't feel they add anything.
I tend to listen to THS a lot on my MP3 player where random (selected) tracks from the previous 4 albums follow one another. Further listens to this latest set of songs will determine which songs make the cut but I'm pretty sure most of this album will.
I'm a little puzzled as to why the song 'Going On A Hike' (played live last year in London) isn't on here as I thought it was a great song........any ideas??
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Post by doctoracula on May 3, 2010 17:56:41 GMT -5
I was a fan of Hurricane J when I first heard it, but now hearing it on the album... man, that transition from We Can Get Together to Hurricane J is a freakin' punch in the face. I mean that in a good way. Holy hell. So perfect. it really is awesome. especially since hurricane j starts on that weird off beat
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Camie
Midnight Hauler
Posts: 1,093
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Post by Camie on May 3, 2010 18:18:39 GMT -5
The first time I heard We Can Get Together transition into Hurricane J I got this gigantic smile on my face and started dancing. Ellie J - What part of South Jersey?
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Post by Ellie J on May 3, 2010 19:00:51 GMT -5
^ Atlantic County, right by Ocean City/Atlantic City.
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stringer
Has Status
Seein' my duty clear.
Posts: 2,702
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Post by stringer on May 3, 2010 19:40:47 GMT -5
[...] I'm sorry if this post is kinda long-winded for a first post. I think that was a pretty cool first post, in honesty. Even if I don't agree with you But welcome! Guys I'm not gonna lie, the more I listen to this album the more I love it. It is very different. I do kind of think, in a way, this isn't the band I fell in love with.. But on the other hand, it still feels like them, just with new direction. It's exciting. It's different musically, and very different lyrically. But there's still that signature rockin' feeling that just is The Hold Steady. My only gripe with the album so far is where I feel like some of it doesn't flow..? More specifically, where We Can Get Together ends and Hurricane J begins. I'm not sure why, I just feel a bit funny about it. General feeling though, is, when I heard both the Weekenders and Our Whole Lives one after another in HMV today, I literally shook my fist in excitement and shouted "I fucking love this band!"
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Post by dannyhatch on May 3, 2010 21:03:16 GMT -5
Third Song- The Weekenders - I mean this iis a continuation to Chips Ahoy and Sequestered. So far the one song that I think harkesn back to the other albums so easily. Music is great, but I could really go without the background vocals. If I didnt know Chips and Sequestered I might be thinking WTF ? But all the lyrics about the horses and bugs in the bars, and girls knowing the truth. Its good, not as good as the first two. Sequestered? Do you mean Sapphire? He never murdered psychic horse girl. (I think.)
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bigrob
Midnight Hauler
i guess i knew it was coming
Posts: 1,352
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Post by bigrob on May 3, 2010 21:18:24 GMT -5
Sequestered? Do you mean Sapphire? He never murdered psychic horse girl. (I think.) No I mean Sequestered...I also think its funny how Craig used The Weekender which is a section of the NY Times which helps people plan their weekends....what the hell would a clairvoyant need with that? Whaaat? I thought it was a reference to a Disney cartoon!
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Post by hostilemass on May 4, 2010 8:50:42 GMT -5
I would like to thank all those who were disappointed by this album and thus lowered my expectations. I am really digging it! Much better than Stay Positive IMO.
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mcstevepants
Hoodrat
Shaky but still tryin' to shake it.
Posts: 400
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Post by mcstevepants on May 4, 2010 9:09:48 GMT -5
Haha, I used to watch The Weekenders and that's what it reminded me of too.
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Post by killerparties on May 4, 2010 10:32:23 GMT -5
I've been browsing these forums for a while now, but I thought it was time I signed up and share my view on this new album.
Overall, it's a fairly good album, the stand out song for me being 'The Weekenders'. I can imagine that song will be fairly immense when performed live. Now I'm fairly new to The Hold Steady (been listening to them for about 6 months) but I don't feel this album is their best, I still prefer Seperation Sunday were the sound was more 'raw', this album feels like the band has 'matured' in an attempt to try something a bit different. Now, when most bands try something different they tend to fail but THS pull it off quite well and as always the end track is absolute amazing. After a few more listens of this album I'm sure I'll love it.
All I know is that, I cannot wait to see them in Manchester in June!
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bigontheinside
Midnight Hauler
If you don't know the words, don't sing along
Posts: 1,478
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Post by bigontheinside on May 4, 2010 11:15:20 GMT -5
No I mean Sequestered...I also think its funny how Craig used The Weekender which is a section of the NY Times which helps people plan their weekends....what the hell would a clairvoyant need with that? Whaaat? I thought it was a reference to a Disney cartoon! THIS X 1000000000001.9
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schlitsz
Clever Kid
someone's little brother
Posts: 119
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Post by schlitsz on May 4, 2010 12:04:04 GMT -5
I'm on my third listen now. I am really into this album, I love the direction they chose to go with it. I won't say it's perfect or anything, but it sat better with me after one listen than Stay Positive. I went on to love SP, so I'm hoping that bodes very well for HIW. Just seems to have come out at the perfect time when the weather's getting nicer. Should be a pretty good summer of playing HIW constantly.
As far as favorites, I like all of the songs, but if I had to pick three I would go with The Weekenders, Barely Breathing and A Slight Discomfort.
Some people have had problems with some of the lyrics. I am in agreement that "ring, ring, ring goes the telephone" is pretty bad. But, other than that, I'm fine with the lyrics.
I didn't listen to Barely Breathing when it was streaming. I stopped after The Weekenders, I didn't want to hear any more until the album came out. So I didn't know that "no one wins at violent shows" was a lyric from Barely Breathing. I know Craig said it when a fight broke out during a show. I know ginny/Camie mentioned the idea of making shirts with that saying on them. I really think THS should fit that into one of their new t-shirt designs. It would be cool to have a logo on the front and have that written across the top back of the shirt.
Anyway, back to the album. Just finished listen #3. I would give it an 8.5/10 at this (early) point.
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Post by jtd7 on May 4, 2010 19:09:43 GMT -5
Ran to my favorite indie record store on the way home from work and got it. Tore off the wrapper soon as I got to the car, rolled down the windows, and played it for everyone on my way home this beautiful evening.
This is Whenever.
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