BigHans
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Last Active 11-01-19 7:59 pm
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10.27.22 RIP Spirit ♦12.05.19 Spotify Artist of the Decade
12.03.19 Hans' Decade Jams ♦10.31.19 Hans Halloween Hard Jams Inc ♦
10.09.19 10 Years of Hans ♦08.14.19 Man Buns Need Not Apply - Monster Truck
07.11.19 30k, Up the Irons07.09.19 Metal Hearts (Ballads of Might)
06.24.19 How Am I Not Deaf Yet - 3 Years of Conc06.11.19 Slap My Bass (And Give Me Grooves)
01.24.18 Rec me SWAGGER jams09.13.17 The National "Moments" ♦
08.09.17 Roadhouse Jams05.25.16 Hans' Epic Concert Month
03.05.14 Riffs Of Smash02.26.14 Riffs Of F*cking Fist
02.21.14 The Rad RUSH 5702.17.14 Riff Goddamn City ♦
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Listen To The Hold Steady Or Die

I've reviewed all of their albums, in an extremely long winded fashion. Here is the short versions. If you like rock music at all, this band is for you. List is not ranked, but chronological.
1The Hold Steady
Almost Killed Me

Their first, and most basic album. Pretty much riffs colliding with lead singer Craig Finn's rap/sing snark. Album has some strong rock moments, but it lacks the hooks and melodies that would literally explode out of later albums. Alot of people call this their best album, which I cannot see at all. Still, a pretty good record. 3.5/5. Standouts: The Swish, Killer Parties. Those are by far the two best songs on it.
2The Hold Steady
Separation Sunday

This can't be compared to Almost Killed Me. The riffs are still there, but this album is just huge in its concept and layers. Sure, its a bar rock album, but probably the deepest one ever. Its a loosely based concept album about growing up religious and fighting the urges to be a kid and rock the fuck out, get laid down by the river, do drugs, etc. It explores the duality of living with reckless abandon and feeling guilty about it. Also, the musicianship is worlds better than the first album. Alot more pianos, alot more melodies. Probably their magnum opus. 5/5. Standouts: Stevie Nix (Springsteen esque tradeoff of rock out moments with huge piano codas and nostalgic lyrics), Your Little Hoodrat Friend and Multitude of Casualties (Rocks), Don't Let Me Explode and Crucifixion Cruise (ballads).
3The Hold Steady
Boys and Girls in America

Seperation Sunday was the apex of their story-telling abilities from a depth standpoint. Boys and Girls in America is more of a traditional rock the fuck album, and its one of the best Americana Rock albums of all-time, period. This is where the riffs collided with enormous hooks and melodies in the most awesome fucking way. The album is just a massive fucking rock excercise. Perfect for drinking, driving, or anytime you just want to just get it the fuck on. There are no bad songs, but Stuck Between Stations, Chill Out Tent, and You Can Make Him Like You just explode with hooks, while Party Pit is easily the best drinking song ever. Seriously, look it up. Around here, people seem to like the power ballad First Night the best, and it most definitely is a watershed rock ballad. My 5th favorite album ever, and 50/5.
4The Hold Steady
Stay Positive

This one frustrates me sometimes. While Boys and Girls in America was just a straight ahead Americana album bursting with anthems, they tried to get somewhat experimental on this one. The ironic thing is this has some of their best songs ever (Constructive Summer, Magazines, Sequestered In Memphis, title track), but it also has some straight up clunkers where they try to use talk boxes and harpischords and shit. Half o fthis is epic, half is meh. Still, 4/5 because Constructive Summer is, well, just listen to it.
5The Hold Steady
Heaven Is Whenever

Pretty much the same story as Stay Positive. When they stick to the basics of crafting rock anthems (Hurricane J, The Weekenders), there is nothing better. Theres alot of experimentation on this one too, which drags it down at some moments. Still, a solid release thats worth having. objective rating: 3.5/4. Fanboy rating 4/4.
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