Customer Reviews

Heaven Is Whenever

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

Unlike The Hold Steady.

And unlike Heaven Is Whenever, which streamed on NPR for a few weeks before its release and bore repeated listens via tinny computer. Hearing the CD on a proper system, however, transforms the experience -- there's a warmth and richness to the production, so much more going on musically than mere loud riffy guitar and shouted lyrics; it makes one long for one of the rare vinyl copies and even for the heyday of vinyl itself.

Heaven Is Whenver might be a transitional album, given the departure of Franz Nicolay's distinctive keyboard, but its destination is a bigger, better, more generous place, and it's going there in broad, confident strides.

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, Stay Positive, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

First off, The Hold Steady aren't for everybody. I'll be the first to admit that, but as someone who grew up listening to Zep, Rush, the Police, and The Hip; the Hold Steady, for me, define what is a "thinking-mans rock band." Great albums, deep cuts, splendid musicianship, great lyrics- where songs tell a story- many of which raise a glass to their back catalog and characters we've learned to love. Heaven is Whenever introduces us to some new characters, new themes, an evolution of the band & another chance to see one of the best live acts tour smallish to medium sized music halls across America. Standouts for me are Sweet Part of the City- a "What Would Jimmy Page Do" bumper sticker of a song with tinges of The Drive-By Truckers, The Weekenders- a U2 inspired groove builder with melodic vocals (something welcoming from lead vocalist Craig Fin), We Can Get Together- a beautiful song about music, songs that inspire, songs of remembrance, songs that warm us from within. Thanks guys...

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 between the underground and the mainstream. They're trying hard to achieve widespread appeal while remaining embedded in the scenes they've been chronicling for half a decade. Heaven Is Whenever loiters in the same dives, clubs, and party houses as their previous albums and chronicles the sagas of similar hoodrats, townies, gamblers, waitresses, and girlfriends. Meanwhile, the band has graduated to larger venues, festival appearances, and an avid fanbase that shouts along with every word. The distance between subject and band has never been greater than it is on this album, and these new songs just don't hit as hard.

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. There is lot's of energy and soul coming out of this and the moment you start listening to it you know that the band poured their soul into it. Great songs like Hurricane J and Get Together shows that they're much more than they've shown previously and are always looking to make something new.

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. To say that Heaven is Whenever is a departure from all of these things is a true statement. Changes in the lives of the members, as well as the band itself have brought this on. They no longer spend their time getting wasted and reminiscing about trashing hotel rooms. They've grown up. As a band ages it invariably gets deeper into pop music, and The Hold Steady are guilty of this. But is that such a bad thing? Perhaps we've had enough of Craig ranting into the microphone, and Tad cranking up his amps. Each song is definitive, some more like the old stuff, some less, but all good.

If you've looked up a few of the songs on youtube or what-have-you, or have heard them from other sources, and like them, but are unsure of whether they'll remain a strong part of your collection. If you think there's a possibility that Heaven is Whenever is filled with tracks that will become reflexively skipped in a few months, then let me assure you. It won't. This may be one of those strange, intermediate albums, but that doesn't mean it isn't worthy.