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| The Hold SteadySeparation Sunday2005 Frenchkiss 
  Review by: lol_omg_wtf_nambla See others by this writer Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on December 16th 2005
So concept albums are the next big thing. What with Coheed and the Volta stirring things up with their epic (if sometimes completely incomprehensible) tales of fantasy and Green Day redefining Spin and Rolling Stones’ definition of rock. Yep, it seems like tying the songs on your album together into an overarching narrative is the thing to do these days. It’s not a bad idea, really. It makes an album’s work stand by itself, and can add a deeper level of meaning to a band’s songs. Generally, I like concept albums, so this trend is pretty OK in my book.
Nelson Algren came to Paddy at a party at the dead end alley. He told him what to celebrate.See? These guys are pretty cool. The other interesting lyrical tic is the use of Biblical and Catholic imagery. Say what you want about the Catholic Church, but you can’t really beat the apocalypse and crucifixions for dramatic moments. They're not a Christian band, but you can tell they've opened a bible and seen what's inside, and that's definitely not a bad thing to do. It's always good when a band can demonstrate they're well read, and know about the shit they're dropping. “So why the hell,” I hear you asking, “do you keep mentioning the Streets? These two bands sound nothing alike?” Good question. I think this album has a lot in common with A Grand Don’t Come for Free. Neither one is a precisely shocking example of skill in their respective genres, but the excellent storytelling mixed with the overall coolness of sound made it a fun listen. Separation Sunday will not redefine modern rock and roll music, but they bring it hard and put a whole lot of damn energy and thought into what they’re putting across. I would recommend this to anyone who likes old-school rock music that you can dance to, and doesn’t mind hearing a good story too. People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
this is a huge heaping pile of dog shit. i guess talking is the new singing these days...pssh Yup, people come on this site for "intellectual" arguments all right.... you make a good point though. Ugh you two with the 'douche' argument are completely unnecessary. There are these things out there called opinions, and evrybodys got one, and neither of you are even arguing yours intellectually. "You're the douche" "no, you are" "you called me one first!". Come on. Craig Finn is an ex hardcore kid! oh yeah, this album is pure genious Paddy would punch you in the face for dissing on his friends. I wasn't speaking for someone else, I was speaking for myself. Hence, "I If I were Paddy... I'd be pissed...". I'm sorry you don't like it or my original post, but seriously, get fucked. Uh, I called someone a douche because he thought he could speak for someone he'd never met, not because his taste in music is different from mine. Douche. "The New Power Generation is the best band from Minneapolis, hands down." FINALLY. Album of the Year. Hands Down. PERFECT. This album is terrible. His voice is like Keith Morris only more annoying. Didn't you start off by calling someone a douche? Get over yourself. I can't believe someone called me a douche for saying the Lifter Puller is better than Husker Du and the Replacements. Not only that, but he seems really offended by it. Whoa. Way to go, pal. "That guy didn't say that obvious answer that everyone already knows!" The New Power Generation is the best band from Minneapolis, hands down. i like the one before this better, but good band all around. "Minneapolis' finest band? That title belongs to the Replacements or Husker Du, not Lifter Puller. You, sir are the douche wtih an internet connection, and a fucking douche at that. Get filched, shit-heel." Dramaflower: hit up IRC or Google. Look for high-res driver's license templates. Find a decent color printer and some glossy paper. Problem solved. Minneapolis' finest band? That title belongs to the Replacements or Husker Du, not Lifter Puller. You, sir are the douche wtih an internet connection, and a fucking douche at that. Get filched, shit-heel. This is ridicously overhyped. Yeah they are a tad overrated but the tunes are okay i guess Not to be a douche, but Paddy is in love with the Hold Steady boys. You might also notice the line "hard drugs are for bartenders, I think I might've mentioned that before." It's because on the first record he sang "B12 is for speeders, D4 is for lovers and hard drugs are for bartenders and the kitchen staff and the bartenders' friends." Finn and Kubler were in Minneapolis' finest band, Lifter Puller, who played millions of shows with D4. I think they can speak for Paddy more than you can. You're just a douche with internet connection. The most over-rated band and album of the year. I bought this album with such high hopes and critical praises still ringing in my ear, but alas, after putting into my cars CD player, I quickly discovered I should have bought something else. I don't care if the guy doesn't sing, but what is required at minimum, is talent. If I were Paddy (or anyone from the Dillinger 4) I'd be pissed that this band even mentioned my name. "danceable garage punk," eh? more like a straightforward bluesy bar band-type rock 'n' roll. i just read a horse the band review i hate it when bands use a phrase following "the" in their name. Like "the stand by me". This is literary terrorism and I'm not gonna take it. This album definitely made my top 10 of 2005. better late than never on the review. this is probably my favorite album of the year. i saw these guys open for the twilight singers when almost killed me came out and was an instant fan. i saw them again at that second to last get up kids show and there were a bunch of college frat types in the crowd that were booing the hold steady and chanting "kids kids kids"... i told them to shut the fuck up. i interviewed the lead singer of the hold steady and he was one of the nicest guys, which was the polar opposite of the interview i did directly before it (dfa 1979). He deserves all the success he is recieving. definitely one of my favorites to come out this year as well. about a month ago i drove down to boston from central maine (about 4 hours each way) to see them and the constantines. yeah, it was worth the drive. dance garage punk?? Why not wait until 2006 to put the review for this up. Amazing record. One of the year's best. Actually, you're both wrong. Two thousand aught five and two thousand and aught five both are 200005. You actually mean twenty aught five. Duh. Two thousand and five is also wrong. Sorry to be such a perfectionist but this statement: "This album blows a lot of things out of the water in the world of two thousand and aught five. Chris Finn has this knack, be it whatever band he is in, to dominate a lyrical flow without ever sounding mundane at any one point. Yeah, it's kitchy, but that sweet, tongue and cheek sort of way." has a few errors. This album blows a lot of things out of the water in the world of two thousand and aught five. Chris Finn has this knack, be it whatever band he is in, to dominate a lyrical flow without ever sounding mundane at any one point. Yeah, it's kitchy, but that sweet, tongue and cheek sort of way. The Hold Steady fucking rock. Craig Finn is one of the greatest lyricists of his generation. And 'Your Little Hoodrat Friend' is one of my favourite songs of the year. 'Neither one is a precisely shocking example of skill in their respective genres' this album is great, so is that streets album. hurrah. somebody review the remix/demo alk3 album soon, I want to watch everyone bitch, piss and moan. The first record was better, but this band is awesome live. Craig Finn is intense. This album rules. And there's gonna be a new Hold Steady album in 2006, too! Craig Finn was better at an art-rock than he is at bar rock. That "D4 Bomb" idea was awesome. I should check these guys out. The singer is funny to watch onstage, looks like he has Parkinsons i was so stoked to see these guys after every publication from spin to pitchfork slobbed on their knobs. |
