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Track Listings
| 1. Sweet Part of the City, The |
| 2. Soft in the Center |
| 3. Weekenders, The |
| 4. Smidge, The |
| 5. Rock Problems |
| 6. We Can Get Together |
| 7. Hurricane J |
| 8. Barely Breathing |
| 9. Our Whole Lives |
| 10. Slight Discomfort, A |
Editorial Reviews
2010 album from the American Alt-Rock favorites. The album was produced by Dean Baltulonis and was recorded at Dreamland Recording Studios in Upstate NY and Wild Arctic Studios in Queens, NY. Singer Craig Finn says ''Heaven Is Whenever is about embracing suffering and finding reward in our everyday lives''. Piano and keys take a backseat to guitar on the new record, which also gets production help from guitarist Tad Kubler. Recorded in several smaller sessions spread out over a long period of time, the songs on Heaven Is Whenever received the benefit of being tested on the band's recent tours. As Finn says this allowed them to see what was working and what wasn't. Following the release of 2008's critically acclaimed Stay Positive, which gave the band it's highest Billboard chart position to date, The Hold Steady toured relentlessly, playing to some of their biggest audiences to date.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There's an expansiveness, a sense of space to this album which The Hold Steady hasn't ever allowed itself before. Several songs are familiarly "Hold Steadyish" with the loud, crunchy guitars fans are used to ("Hurricane J", "Rock Problems"), but the two openers, "The Sweet Part of the City" and "Soft in the Center", for instance are breezy, roomy rock numbers with Craig Finn sounding more at ease with himself than ever before. If their previous album, Stay Positive, is, as the band said, about aging with grace in a youth-oriented rock culture, Heaven Is Whenever sees The Hold Steady settling in as confident elder statesmen. At the same time, Finn is still giving props to his past and his predecessors -- "Barely Breathing" tells a fun story about hardcore easing into its late '80s post-heyday, for instance, and the lush "We Can Get Togehter" consist of a whirlwind of references that even the most astute afficianado will need three or more listens to completely catalog.
The musical branching-out reflected in this album might leave some fans running (or pining) for the more anthemic Separation Sunday or Boys and Girls in America -- and the band could probably have pulled off more-of-the-same with aplomb. But this seems to be a band comfortable enough with itself and knowledgable enough about its own abilities to want to continue to stretch, experiment and diversify. Much has been made in fan circles, for example, about the absence of a soaring stadium rock-style solo which Tad Kubler played at the end of "We Can Get Together" during the tour preceding the album's release. But the ballad-with-big-ending solo structure would have mirrored previous songs like "Lord, I'm Discouraged" from Stay Positive, and, let's face it, every '80s hair band did that. It gets old quick.... Read more ›
The musical branching-out reflected in this album might leave some fans running (or pining) for the more anthemic Separation Sunday or Boys and Girls in America -- and the band could probably have pulled off more-of-the-same with aplomb. But this seems to be a band comfortable enough with itself and knowledgable enough about its own abilities to want to continue to stretch, experiment and diversify. Much has been made in fan circles, for example, about the absence of a soaring stadium rock-style solo which Tad Kubler played at the end of "We Can Get Together" during the tour preceding the album's release. But the ballad-with-big-ending solo structure would have mirrored previous songs like "Lord, I'm Discouraged" from Stay Positive, and, let's face it, every '80s hair band did that. It gets old quick.... Read more ›
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Hold Steady is continually confounding. The first album I picked up was Boys and Girls in America...its combination of Springsteen-esque song structures, punk attitudes, and intelligent lyrics pulled me in early and made me want more. So I moved onto their first album Almost Killed Me...which was radically different, except for the intelligent lyrics and attitude. Somehow, though, it all sounded like the same band...the identity at the core of the music was solid and likable. It's easy to say that the identity belongs to Craig Finn, since he's the singer and lyricist, but that would be doing the rest of the band a disservice. Tad Kubler's guitars do just as much to form the core of this band, and the rock solid yet versatile rhythm section provides incredible support.
Which brings us to the new album, Heaven Is Whenever. At first listen it seems almost radio-ready, with the Wilcoisms of "Sweet Part of the City" and the doo-wop rhythms of "We Can Get Together." But it's so much more than that. This is a varied album, ranging from rockers that will please any long time Hold Steady fan, like "Hurricane J" and "Soft in the Center," which is home to my current favorite line from the album ('You can't tell people what they wanna hear if you also want to tell the truth') to new sounds and experiments with lusher production (the aforementioned "Sweet Part of the City" and the album closer "A Slight Discomfort."
Since their last album, , the Hold Steady has been moving away from the in your face musical aggression that characterized their earlier albums. This is neither a good nor bad thing, for their live shows remain as energetic and amazing as ever, mixing old with new seamlessly. However, it is interesting to hear them evolving, making greater use of the studio, exploring new directions in their playing.
If you don't know the band, Heaven is Whenever would be an excellent starting point. If you're already a fan, get ready to be challenged yet again by the best American band out there right now. Read more ›
Which brings us to the new album, Heaven Is Whenever. At first listen it seems almost radio-ready, with the Wilcoisms of "Sweet Part of the City" and the doo-wop rhythms of "We Can Get Together." But it's so much more than that. This is a varied album, ranging from rockers that will please any long time Hold Steady fan, like "Hurricane J" and "Soft in the Center," which is home to my current favorite line from the album ('You can't tell people what they wanna hear if you also want to tell the truth') to new sounds and experiments with lusher production (the aforementioned "Sweet Part of the City" and the album closer "A Slight Discomfort."
Since their last album, , the Hold Steady has been moving away from the in your face musical aggression that characterized their earlier albums. This is neither a good nor bad thing, for their live shows remain as energetic and amazing as ever, mixing old with new seamlessly. However, it is interesting to hear them evolving, making greater use of the studio, exploring new directions in their playing.
If you don't know the band, Heaven is Whenever would be an excellent starting point. If you're already a fan, get ready to be challenged yet again by the best American band out there right now. Read more ›
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Antiquity
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Hold Steady make exciting albums. Listening to Separation Sunday even today sounds so in my face; a unique record and band. Their albums since then haven't quite matched that, but they have come close and contain thrilling songs. This album doesn't have the edge of the others. It still contains good tunes and I like it, but I don't love it. The Weekenders is their poppiest song to date, sounds like Green Day. Again, not a bad song, but it's no Cattle and the Creeping Things. My favorite song is the first, which introduces a new sound to their arsenal in a good way.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The 4th release from this New York band is brilliant storytelling roots-based rock that flows like a
slice-of-life American novel. The lyrics have an emotional & perceptive, resigned weariness that
accepts things as there are and revels in the existence of the moment. The songs are played by
indie rock veterans who care about what they're doing, and Craig Finn's voice is utterly
compelling. It feels like a grower. Similarities to Drive-By Truckers, Springsteen, Thin Lizzy,
Titus Andronicus, The Clash.
slice-of-life American novel. The lyrics have an emotional & perceptive, resigned weariness that
accepts things as there are and revels in the existence of the moment. The songs are played by
indie rock veterans who care about what they're doing, and Craig Finn's voice is utterly
compelling. It feels like a grower. Similarities to Drive-By Truckers, Springsteen, Thin Lizzy,
Titus Andronicus, The Clash.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
look, i love all the hold steady albums, but you can't listen to this record over and over and not come away insanely impressed. these guys are so crazy good, so smart and sharp, the music and lyrics just out of bounds. i can listen to this whole album through over and over again and it only gets better every time. seriously, easily one of the best of 2010. this band is a treasure.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love this band. I've seen them three times now including on their opening date on the latest tour with the new lineup in support of this album. But I have to say Heaven is Whenever is a disappointment. After four successive great albums in which the band advanced brilliantly with each new release--improving the hookiness, complexity of storytelling, emotional density, and dramatic structure of its songs--the group went into a holding pattern releasing a live album from an older tour followed by this: a record well-worn THS gestures and riffs, buried under sludgy lifeless production, lacking the clarity, the punch, the hooks, the freshness and the drama that made their previous records joyous listening. Sounds like a band struggling with success and fighting to grow to some next stage. Let's hope they get there, but this sounds like a step closer to stalling out and breaking up than it sounds like a step into the future.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Holding pattern
If this was the first album I had heard by the Hold Steady, I might have been more impressed, and given it a higher rating. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Donald E. Gilliland
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vinyl sounds better than CD/MP3
I really like this album; I think The Hold Steady are progressing & maturing quite nicely.
Check out the vinyl if you want the best sound quality. Read more
Check out the vinyl if you want the best sound quality. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Geee!
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hold Steady: Heaven is Whenever
Coming from a band so rooted in notions of community and classic rock, "The Sweet Part of the City" seems to acknowledge that the Hold Steady realize their function as a liaison... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Dear Kate
4.0 out of 5 stars
Their best album yet
I've heard olf fans of the band detract this album because it "moves away from their sound". However, this is what makes this album great. Read more
Published on April 11, 2011 by Thiago F. Alves
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awkward, Intermediate Steps
Craig Finn and Tad Kubler have been, since the start of their musical careers, an awkward pair. Loud, but touching. Drunk, but insightful. Rough, but lovable. Read more
Published on March 4, 2011 by Maxwell the Fool
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Hold Steady - Heaven is Whenever
This album is not my favorite HS album, but it still pulls through very strong.
It is a very different taste from the usual anthem, riff-driven music you'd expect from... Read more
It is a very different taste from the usual anthem, riff-driven music you'd expect from... Read more
Published on February 16, 2011 by mrbiggs476
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice, really nice`
Bought this on a referral from my nephew and really like the band. Accidently bought two and was going to send one back. Instead I have one for a gift.
Published on February 16, 2011 by high jumping dog
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not quite as catchy as Stay Positive, but another quality outing...
The Hold Steady again capture the listener with some straightforward rock balanced with Craig Finn's forceful and distinctive vocals. Read more
Published on January 29, 2011 by J. Carroll
1.0 out of 5 stars
bad imitation
this IS my first introduction to the band ... it is like a bad imitation of bruce springsteen ... & who i don't particularly like. bleh.
Published on November 17, 2010 by notyournumbersix
2.0 out of 5 stars
Why do great bands do this?
I'm not against bands "growing" their sound. But not all such efforts are automatically good. This is one experiment in production and song arrangement that would have been better... Read more
Published on July 1, 2010 by R. Brown
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