When I come across some new music that I love, it’s a little bit of both nirvana and torture at the same time.

I can’t get enough. I want to play the new stuff over and over and over again until I’m almost, but not quite sick of it. That’s what’s going on right now with Hold Steady, this band from Brooklyn. Their new album, Stay Positive, is set on repeat in the house and in the car and in my head.

I missed the recent show at the Rialto, and now I’m pissed. I’ve been paying extra attention to the songs “Sequestered in Memphis,” “Slapped Actress” and “Stay Positive.” 

Sometimes I tend to look at things too often through a mystical POV–that everything happens for a reason or can have some power to change things up again when we can’t. I remember feeling that way after Sept. 11 when certain movies or music came out–they were like blessings.

Same here with Hold Steady. McCain is waving that tired old GOP treason flag. An considering the rest of the crap that’s happening and not happening … I’ve been thinking that this band Hold Steady could be just what we need right now to get us through November. 

After that, I hope I find something else.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=r7RO0y1-ZAE%26hl%3Den%26fs%3D1

This article appears in Aug 14-20, 2008.

6 replies on “Hold Steady Is Just What We Need”

  2. Red Star – There are days when I just wish I could reach in through cyberspace and… Just my luck. I write for the Weekly and you are the mighty Red Star.

  3. Attention Mari Herreras – Red Star is happily committed to Mrs. Red Star (who got here first, btw, so give it up chica!)

    Anyway, and nevertheless, Red Star always enjoys when modern adult females let out the girlish side, a side that is there anyway. One might say it’s a charming dynamic!

    Mightily,

    Red Star

  4. Red Star – While I admit Mrs. Red Star is probably a lucky woman (or insane)… I’d like to think Mr. Mari Herreras is a lucky dude – but there are days you’d have to check in to make sure he’s not being driven insane and talking to Mrs. Red Star about crazy spouses and such.
    Thank you… I’ve never thought of myself as a modern adult female letting out her girlish side… but perhaps you’ve stumbled on something. Perhaps that is why I work at the Weekly – so I can let out, you know, that girlish side…
    God bless you Mighty Red Star

  5. The Little Red Stars (only two of them, but still…) are just now being delivered home. Home to Red Star. That’s the only insanity. Here we go…

Comments are closed.