{"id":100007,"date":"2019-08-19T12:59:51","date_gmt":"2019-08-19T16:59:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/?p=100007"},"modified":"2019-08-19T17:41:22","modified_gmt":"2019-08-19T21:41:22","slug":"album-review-the-hold-steady-thrashing-thru-the-passion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/album-review-the-hold-steady-thrashing-thru-the-passion\/","title":{"rendered":"Album Review: The Hold Steady – Thrashing Thru the Passion"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the opening song (\u201cDenver Haircut\u201d) of The Hold Steady\u2019s newest offering, Thrashing Thru the Passion<\/em>, front man Craig Finn<\/strong> states in his trademark speak-sing delivery, \u201cIt doesn\u2019t have to be pure, it doesn\u2019t have to be perfect, just sort of has to be worth it.\u201d  And in a way, this refrain captures the essence of the album on which it appears.<\/p>\n

The songs presented here certainly check many of the boxes that listeners have come to expect from the band.  There are no shortages of the regular Finn-isms that colorfully detail the sense of despair and ennui that come from lives spent on a seedier, booze-soaked and drug-addled path, and the barroom rock-and-roll riffs are still present.  Even keyboardist Franz Nicolay<\/strong>, whose last appearance was on 2008\u2019s Separation Sunday<\/em>, has returned to the fray, and his presence is not easily missed.<\/p>\n

However, there is a sense that the sounds offered here have been scaled back in some ways, or even watered down, compared to previous efforts.  The riffs aren\u2019t quite as big, loud, and distorted as they once were (one major exception to this is when the band locks into a heavy groove in \u201cEpaulets\u201d), and the songs generally do not feel as immediate as previous efforts, which wasted no time in grabbing the listener and propelling them into the band\u2019s intricately constructed narratives.  <\/p>\n

With that said, the album does reward multiple listens, allowing the nuances of the band\u2019s three-guitar attack to reveal themselves — guitarist Steve Selvedge<\/strong>, who joined the band to fill out the sound for their 2014 release, Teeth Dreams<\/em>, is back, and his contributions weave quite well with the playing of fellow guitarists Finn and Tad Kubler<\/strong>.  Nicolay\u2019s keys take center stage in songs like \u201cBlackout Sam\u201d (switching between the sounds of a traditional piano and Hammond organ) and the arpeggiated keys on \u201cStar 18.\u201d  Throughout all of this, drummer Bobby Drake<\/strong> and bassist Galen Polivka<\/strong> provide a solid rhythm section that tie the songs together.<\/p>\n

The primary aspect that remains strong on this album, and arguably continues to be the defining characteristic that makes The Hold Steady stand out from other bands, is Finn\u2019s ability as a lyricist.  Lyrics that describe things like a \u201ctequila take off and Tecate landing\u201d (\u201cEntitlement Crew\u201d), or a character suspected by a doctor of passing off a fake injury for more painkillers (\u201cTraditional Village\u201d) will have old fans feeling right at home and showing new fans what the band is about (although it must be said the refrain in \u201cYou Did Good Kid\u201d wears out its welcome quickly, despite the otherwise strong showing of the rest of the song\u2019s lyrics). And as is typical of the band, there are many references to other musicians and bands in the lyrics, including Metallica<\/strong> and Boston<\/strong> in \u201cDenver Haircut\u201d and Anthrax<\/strong> and Peter Tosh<\/strong> in \u201cStar 18.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Thrashing Thru the Passion<\/em> does not quite reach the heights of The Hold Steady\u2019s albums released throughout the aughts.  In some ways, the songs offered here could reflect a certain weariness brought on by those years — the album does not present anything new from the band, and fans may be left with the impression that most of these songs are slightly less effective rehashes.  However, for those mainly looking for Finn\u2019s ability to weave a narrative, and especially for those who have felt deprived since Nicolay left the band, this will scratch the itch. Even though Thrashing Thru the Passion<\/em> is not perfect, it is definitely worth it.<\/p>\n

Cover Image Photo Credit: D James Goodwin<\/p>\n

\"The<\/span><\/p>\n

The Hold Steady<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thrashing Thru the Passion<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Released:<\/strong> August 16, 2019<\/p>\n

Track Listing:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Denver Haircut<\/p>\n

2. Epaulets<\/p>\n

3. You Did Good, Kid<\/p>\n

4. Traditional Village<\/p>\n

5. Blackout Sam<\/p>\n

6. Entitlement Crew<\/p>\n

7. T-Shirt Tux<\/p>\n

8. Star 18<\/p>\n

9. The Stove & The Toaster<\/p>\n

10. Confusion In THe Marketplace<\/p>\n

Listen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Listen<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Listen<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u200b<\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Additional<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To learn more about The Hold Steady, please use the following resources:<\/p>\n