What happened to the Hold Steady? Two years ago, the thought of them releasing an album sent millions of breathless inches of hyptertext shooting around the Internet. Now it's 2010, and their Heaven is Whenever was greeted with a giant shoulder shrug. I have a hard time believing it's because the music is substantially worse--maybe it's a little heavier on the meat and potatoes--but it's basically the same thing as before with better "singing." I think maybe we've all moved on? We're just ready for more Chillwave, I guess. Or maybe because the National are better, and both bands travel in populist jams, and we only have enough room in our hearts for one band that does late night boozin' anthems.
Anywho (that is a really great transition that people in Minnesota use), the Steady were recently recorded doing a show at Brooklyn's Union Pool for Pitchfork TV, and to the great chagrin to their fans (I'm assuming) they performed "Sweet Part of the City," instead of anything off Boys and Girls in America. The performance is pretty okay, but this song isn't as strong as Heaven's "Hurricane J."
Heaven is Whenever is out now.
