The Hold Steady - Heaven is Whenever

3.0

0.0 (0)

triplew.me’s editor finds the 5^th studio album from the ‘difficult-to-find-a-genre-that-fits’ US rockers just as difficult to review.

I’m going to admit, I loved ‘Stay Positive’, ‘Heaven Is Whenever’s’ predecessor. It was the step up The Hold Steady had hinted at for so long, topped off by Craig Finn’s lyrics and delivery. ‘Constructive Summer’ is one of many triplew.me unofficial theme songs this summer.

That might have hinted that we find this effort potentially short of the mark. What mark though? It’s a brilliant album, more expansive and certainly more grown up. All the hallmarks are there, questions of love lost, fame, parties, and gratuitous early hardcore punk band and Minnesota references. Emptier (keyboardist Franz Nicolay left in 2009), a little more produced and certainly tighter – on its own a wonderful album. From ‘The Weekenders’ and ‘Our Whole Lives’ ramble and chug along and are Hold Steady through and through. ‘Hurricane J’, the lead single, is The Hold Steady’s attempt at the Top 40, but retains the charm that only The Hold Steady could pull off. Craig Finn’s lyrics change focus, Tad Kubler’s guitars are more restrained and Bobby Drake’s drums tight.

But, and this is unfair, it’s no Stay Positive – gone are the sputtering lyrics, the overbearing guitars and the anthem-esque sing-a-long raw rock. But that’s maybe a good thing, we probably all grow up sometime, right?

Best for lazy Saturday afternoons spent contemplating why you didn’t do something you really should’ve when you could’ve but might’ve but went to a party instead….you’ll get that if you’re a Hold Steady fan.

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