Customer Reviews

Positive Rage (W/Dvd) (Bril)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am second to none in my affection for these guys; in fact I was at that very live show (right in front as a matter of fact).

The DVD was fun, and the CD (which I heard from another source) really was great. It's a shame that my computer couldn't recognize my CD, which is the only reason I am giving this purchase less than 5 stars. Amazon is sending a replacement, though, so I have to hope that my CD was an anomaly.

This was a great performance, and this CD really captures the energy and excitement that they bring to their shows.

Note: if you wonder why Craig's voice seems to cut out sometimes, it's because of the way he sells his songs, singing to the audience off-mic in between lines. Sometimes he gets carried away and moves away from the mic even before he's finished with a line.

He was obviously having a great time that night, and you can hear him getting looser and looser as the night goes on. The rest of the band seemed only to get tighter and tighter, though, and they totally tear it up throughout the show. Franz' keyboard work is some of the best I've heard in the 10 shows I've been to, and he does some inspired work on the harp. Galen and Bobby are always powerful and propulsive: they are deep, deep in the cut. And Tad: he puts the power in power chords, and his solos really provide the emotional release that only great rock'n'roll can.

Bottom line: there is so much joy in what this band does. It's great that so many more people can be part of it through this CD.

The Hold Steady and this album in particular are a group that will make you feel young and old at the same time. Their energy and smart lyrics are so infectious, that you can't help recall the days of being 21 watching a great local bar band playing songs you love. Of course... that makes you feel old at the same time. The CD is a great representation of their live show, which is clearly not a lip sync stage show like many artists today. You can hear their energy and the nuances that make a great live show great. It's a good mix of songs from their most recent album, Stay Positive, to their early albums, like Almost Killed Me and Separation Sunday. Both the CD and DVD create a feeling of intimacy which is representative of their live shows, and how their songs are written.

The DVD is really fun too. Since the Hold Steady is not a highly commercial band, it is hard to get insight about it's members, even though as a fan you feel like you already know them.

NOTE ABOUT UNPLAYABLE CDs in PCs: Report the problem to Vagrant Records if you have it. It seems that the problem is with Windows machines. I have tested it in Windows Vista 64, XP, and MacOS. Works fine on MacOS. Windows does not particularly like the CD. After a few eject and reinserts I got the CD audio portion to read on Vista. The data portion was never recognized. Couldn't get it to work on XP at all. Once again... it works fine on Macs.

I watched this last night as soon as I got home and I loved the DVD! You feel like you're right there with the band sharing their excitement. As a musician, I only dream of the day that my music career will support me and I can ditch the day job!
The live album is going to live in my car for a very long time.

This CD / DVD package is awesome! It's a full live show recorded in Chicago at the Metro and an hour long DVD. The live CD is well mixed and mastered, with the sing along, high energy nature of the show captured as well as possible. The DVD is also really well done. Craig and company's insight into the creative process and the day to day of being in a band is interesting and the documentary is well shot without feeling like it's too long. Between the CD and the DVD, I'll always have something to pass the time between their shows!

Side note -- Not sure what the other reviewer is talking about, the CD played fine in my computer and car, and the DVD looked great on my TV. Also had a few friends buy it and they had no problems.

I have been waiting for this forever! After watching and listening to it over and over since I got it I can now say it was well worth the wait. Any Hold Steady fan will love this live CD/DVD combo! The audio and video quality is amazing! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

THE DVD DOCUMENTARY IS FANTASTIC INSIGHT INTO ONE OF THE BEST ROCK BANDS OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS, AND THE LIVE ALBUM MANAGES TO CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF HOW ENERGETIC AND FUN THE BAND'S LIVE SHOWS ARE! BUY THIS DVD/LIVE CD NOW!!!

If you are a fan of the Hold Steady, you have to have this boxed set...if your are a casual listener...you still must have. Although they may not be of "My Generation", I must admit I love this group. Hard driving guitars, a great rythm section and a unique vocal style that is in a league of his own. I would rank this up there with some of my favorite live albums, "Live at Leeds", "Frampton Comes Alive", "Blow Your Face Out", and "Kiss Alive!" Loved the dvd, although I would have preferred less talk and more tunes. Next time you are at a Hold Steady show and your standing next to some old dude, be nice to him, it may be me!!
Angela's Dad

Just finished listening to the CD and watched the DVD straight though. If you are a fan of the HS, this is a super combination - highlights their unbelievable live shows via following them on the 2006 tour for Boys and Girls in America, one of their best albums to date.

FYI also found a copy of this at the local public library, so this is in pretty wide distribution now. Rock on!

Love the Hold Steady, their 4 studio releases are each brilliant in their own right. This live album gives you a LOT of songs from the first 3 albums, with great sound, good song choices, and nice, rough-around-the-edges performances. You've probably already made up your mind about whether you like Craig Finn's voice and "talk-sing" style; he is outstanding on this album, singing like he means it and engaging the crowd at every turn. A good value here, too---you get a CD and DVD for a pretty good price, and I like that the CD has the entire concert on it. Overall, very very good and the Hold Steady is always worth your time.

I was at the Hamden CT. with about 80 other people (all that would fit!) and this DVD brings back alot of those memories. The version of Little Hoodrat Friend is an instant classic. I hope everyone will get out and see them.