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The Hold Steady, then, is not yet an outstanding band, but unlike its New York contemporaries, shows the sort of distinctive talent that suggests that one day, it might be.
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The Hold Steady's powerful yet somewhat generic rock style proves incidental to Finn's dense, wordy story-songs. As a whole, though, Almost Killed Me showcases a wise and gritty rock band still in it for life, through thick and thin.
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Earnest without being sentimental, and authentic without sounding contrived, The Hold Steady are one of the most convincing rock bands to emerge in recent years, a can-crushing throwdown of unadulterated aggression and ear-splitting amps.
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Rolling StoneBizarrely touching and insanely original. [10 Jun 2004, p.86]
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Rocks like Bad Company and Thin Lizzy and vintage Springsteen. Look out.
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'Almost Killed Me' is a rock album that is – above all – listenable and fucking energetic but never calculated and never sneering.
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PopMatters
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All in all this is a rock-solid debut from a group of veteran musicians who aren't necessarily out to reinvent the wheel but whose fiery passion rings through on every note.
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With rugged guitar riffs and solos and Finn's half-sung, scratchy voice, the Hold Steady mostly succeed, easily recalling the classic rock of early Bruce Springsteen or the sincerity of latter-day Hüsker Dü.
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Almost Killed Me is the most authentic, dirty, and rocking album you'll hear all summer.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 11 out of 12
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Mixed: 0 out of 12
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Negative: 1 out of 12
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Feb 21, 2021holds up better than ever, the riffs, the lyrics, space, and the payoff which are all missing in today's "scene"
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Oct 28, 2011A garage band feel that's as raw as anything you'll hear. I really enjoyed this record. The album was best when listened to a third time through.
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BDNov 12, 2005Better than Separation Sunday.