5.0 out of 5 stars
Hold On, They're Coming!, September 8, 2010
In preparation for going to see The Hold Steady next month here in Portland, I recently picked up this two-disc import version of "Boys and Girls in America" for a few bucks in the Marketplace. Obviously this does not make me an obsessive fan, just a casual listener of a group I've always heard good things about. And after putting all the misleading Bob Mould-meets-Bruce Springsteen categorizations aside, let me simply state that these guys are awesome. The first two cuts, "Stuck Between Stations" and "Chips Ahoy!" are certainly worthy of all the critics' praises, but "You Can Make Him Like You" and "Southtown Girls" have the same catchy, anthemic hooks and smart, sincere lyrics. In fact, the entire album is excellent, which is still my measure of a great band, now more than ever in this MP3 single era. The bonus "Live at Footprints" disc (also available as a stand alone domestic EP) is an acoustic set presenting a different take on familiar cuts, and it's a welcome if not essential addition. After checking out "Boys and Girls," I'm looking forward to exploring other Hold Steady efforts, and I'm even more excited for the chance to see them in person.
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