The Hold Steady 'A Positive Rage'

Two summers ago, I was listening to The Hold Steady pretty much every day. They seemed exciting, fresh and new despite clearly owing a lot to bands and artists from the past. At some point after their headlining show at Shepherds Bush Empire though, the agenda seemed to change. Last year's 'Stay Positive' album was a huge disappointment, sounding rushed and tired at the same time, the sound of shoulders shrugging and voice asking "will this do?".

This live album was recorded back in October 2007, right at the end of a huge world tour in support of 'Boys and Girls in America' and right at the start of the writing and recording of 'Stay Positive'. My hope was that this would capture the band at their absolute peak, sounding as good as they did when I saw them play in London in July of that year. Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, this album doesn't come close to capturing the excitement and euphoria of a Hold Steady show in 2007.

Singer Craig Finn sounds jaded and occasionally stumbles over his words. While pitch perfect singing has never been in a factor in THS's appeal, his weak rendition of 'First Night', their most beautiful song, is a real let down. Secondly, the production and sound are awful. Just like 'Stay Positive', the album is mixed far too loud. Having a rock'n'roll, in-your-face sound is one thing, but there is no subtlety whatsoever in the sound, the louder, guitar based songs just sound like a big muddy mess and then, inexplicably, Tad Kubler's solo in 'Lord I'm Discouraged' is virtually inaudible.

It is good to hear a live version of 'Ask Her For Adderall', a song that was omitted from 'Stay Positive' in favour of the clunky 'Constructive Summer'. 'Same Kooks' and 'Barfruit Blues' sound as frenzied and exciting as ever, but overall this is a missed opportunity. I'm sure for all those in attendance in Chicago on the night, this was an amazing gig, but here it just sounds flat and tired.

5.0

['A Positive Rage' is out now on Rough Trade]