Separation Sunday

The Hold Steady

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 3, 2005)
• Original Release Date: May 3, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: French Kiss
• ASIN: B0008KLW2C
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,255 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
It's only natural that the Hold Steady singer Craig Finn receives all the attention. After all, he's the one with the big mouth. And while his odd and humorous rants are essentially compelling, they wouldn't be half as engrossing if his backing group, especially fellow ex-Minnesotan and Lifter Puller guitarist Tad Kubler, didn't smack up such a glorious din, scabrous punk rock swagger dolled up with classic hard rock power chords. "Separation Sunday" is the NYC-based group's second album and it's every bit as sassy and city wise as their 2004 debut "Almost Killed Me." Finn doesn't know the meaning of the phrase 'hold your tongue' and rudely shouts down the opposition on a number of romantic and religious matters, underscoring his contempt with touching moments of true pathos. Finn's surrounded by self-mutilators, abused lovers and deluded characters desperately chasing faith. It's a good thing he has such a crack band to keep them all in check. -- Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "I was seeing double for 3 straight days", June 15, 2005

By	Naive Pegasus "bobawedge" (Oak Park, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This is a highly original and suprisingly inventive (*gasp*) quasi-concept album that is full of brilliance. Once you get over the fact that the lead singer doesn't sing as much as speak the lyrics (which never bothered me- its a classic rock and roll voice, and the music is all about the rock instrumentals and the witty lyrics, anyway) you'll find one of the best albums of the year.

The album basically follows Halleluiah, or Holly, who finds herself strung out, drugged out, and tries to become a born again christian. Most sentiments from any song will be seen again later in the album, and lyrically, it's brilliant.

For example, in "Cattle and the Creeping Things" (one of the best songs on the album) lines include "silly rabbit, trippin' is for teenagers" while having the craziest, simply complex Bible interpretation with "I heard the one about original sin/ I heard the dude blamed the chick/ I heard the chick blamed the snake./ And I heard they were naked when they got busted/ I heard things a'int been the same since"

Simply put- this is a good, catchy Rock album with a lot of meaning and humor behind it.

This album is definately worth a look.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Poetry + Hard Rock from Minnesota (by way of NYC), April 30, 2006

By	Bart King (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The songs on this impressive album reminded me of an unusual combination of Jonathan Richman, early Bruce Springsteen and the Replacements.

The CD is especially noteworthy because of main man Craig Finn's thoughtful, funny, and sometimes even poignant lyrics. His motifs tend to be about Catholicism, drug use, and street angels, and are good enough to be read and enjoyed separately from the hard-hitting music. (Speaking of which, I especially appreciated the excellent arrangement of the backing hard rock as the backdrop to the intentionally clumsy phrasing of Finn's vocals.)

This is good stuff; bracing and original.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Had Jim Carroll kicked Sprigsteen off the stage and ..., December 1, 2005

By	Chas (Planet Eartsnop) - See all my reviews

used the E. Street Band as backing band then you start to get the idea..
Brooklyn Guitar Band pull off amazing rock opera / concept album in the vien of Born to Run
but with a more Jim Carrol / Lou Reed grittier vision of life than Bruce's idealized take on street life. Whats amazing is the wall of blazing guitars slashing out power chords coupled with heavyweight punches thrown by the rythm section. Go find the free mp3s on their site, and realize that they are hitting it out of the Ball Park with *every* track. On my best-of-year list and would travel to see these guys. Would have gone to recent Philly gig but that was sold out.