All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Splendid

Separation Sunday stands a chance of being one of 2005's true classics.

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100

Billboard

"Separation Sunday" is not only these Brooklyn transplants' best work to date (far surpassing the critically mis-hyped debut from last year), it is one of the grittiest, realest New York rock albums to come out since the Trouser Press folded.

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100

The Guardian

It's a triumph of non-judgmental storytelling, delivered within purgative rock'n'roll.

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Village Voice (Consumer Guide)

This literature with power chords addresses not only the crucial matter of vanishing bohemias as cultural myth but also the crucial matter of re-emerging spiritualities as cultural fact.

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Lost At Sea

This isn’t just Almost Killed Me 2, it’s an exploration of what lies beyond that initial surface – and the truth ain’t pretty.

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Neumu.net

Finn's masterful lyrics can't be ignored. And the music, stopping, starting and crashing with wrenching enthusiasm, is equally undeniable. But the way Finn understands the human condition in all its glory and contradiction is, simply, brilliant.

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Flak Magazine

It is Finn's particular gift to be able to set the listener smack in the middle of his songs, seeing what he sees, caring about the lives he chronicles. It is the listener's reward to find these stories scored by big, fat monster hooks, and effortless piano-driven melodies.

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Pitchfork

This stuff would sound great behind just about any garage-rock hack, but it turns Finn's dirtbag chronicles into something epic and huge and molten and beautiful.

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Entertainment Weekly

Bar rock for the smart set. [3 Jun 2005, p.82]

Magnet

Separation Sunday is a book-on-tape, a grim and funny tome that draws from the Bible and Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas. [#68, p.98]

Delusions of Adequacy

While far from perfect, The Hold Steady's sloppy take on classic rock is actually quite refreshing and much more fun than most current indie rock and British post-punk revival wankery.

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All Music Guide

The group sounds a bit like Guided By Voices at times, only a Guided By Voices that want to kick your sorry can up and down the length of the bar.

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Amazon.com

While [Finn's] odd and humorous rants are essentially compelling, they wouldn't be half as engrossing if his backing group... didn't smack up such a glorious din, scabrous punk rock swagger dolled up with classic hard rock power chords.

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Blender

Sounds like the best bar band in the world. [May 2005, p.122]

The Onion (A.V. Club)

The Hold Steady is the ideal iPod band. Finn's abrasive voice sounds legitimately exciting in four-minute bursts, and his best put-down lines are more corrosive.

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The New York Times

These are songs full of offhand aphorisms, and they can grab you from the first line. [23 May 2005]

Austin Chronicle

The music is like some unholy amalgamation of Born to Run-era Springsteen and Billy Joel shazam. This is a good thing.

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ShakingThrough.net

Separation Sunday isn’t quite on par with Almost Killed Me, primarily because it won’t stun listeners with its freshness.

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Stylus Magazine

Finn is a decidedly great lead non-singer, and because of this, he has to rely on brainy, culture-referencing wordage as opposed to impressive melodic style or range. Fortunately, his banter rarely disappoints, even if it is a little repetitive at times.

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Rolling Stone

His wordy narratives get hazy at times, but Sunday succeeds as a whirlwind tour through an overstuffed brain.

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PopMatters

Separation Sunday won't win over the masses, but that's not what its intentions should be. The Hold Steady's record is a testament to what good times are really like, if you're paying close attention. That, and it will make you air-guitar. For certain.

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cokemachineglow

Take Finn’s vocals out of the equation and you have a fun and even innovative garage band steeped in the brand of classic rock to which indie has never properly paid its due. With Finn, they’re monotonous, even annoying.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 33 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Thomas D gave it a10:
When approaching the Hold Stead (and any band for that matter), thinking in genres won't help you at all. This album is like nothing I have ever heard. Finn's sincerity is refreshing and sharp. His unironic but unpreaching approach to spirituality is very refreshing. Musically, the band is amazing. Personally, this album has had more impact on me than any before it, and I hope other people see the same amazing piece of magic in it that I do.

Miles W gave it a3:
I don't get it. What is it supposed to be? They are like a Pop hardcore (whatever!) band, but with cheesy metal guitars. As for the lyrics; are they a god squad band? Straight edge? or are they a party band? Is he being ironic? I can't tell. It's just bad pub-rock, and that can never be good. I can't imagine anyone who likes punk or hardcore, or even metal for that matter, liking this band. Perhaps it's for pop fans who think they are getting into hardcore.

Chase H gave it a10:
A fantastically unique epic.

The Big Crunch gave it a10:
Best album of 2005, and among the five or so best albums of the decade so far.

matthew c gave it a9:
If Elvis Costello happened to produce early AC/DC. Fantastic rock album!

YLE gave it an8:
An album with such high praise from the critics always runs the risk of being labeled overated but to be honest who cares? Just grab a six-pack, your cigarettes and lie back and listen to some real, entertaining bar rock. Finn's voice is for me the best thing about this album even though on some tracks, Stevie Nix especially, it's not hard to imagine Bea Arthur behind the mic but that's ok because who doesn't love Bea Arthur? I know i do and i love this album, definitely one of my faves so far this year.

Cosmo Prelog gave it a3:
I'm sorry? If this is "one of 2005's true classics" then "Somethig to Be" by Rob Thomas is the best record since "Blonde on Blonde" This is Over-Hype trash by a band that sounds like a a cross between Bo Bice on speed and Ringo Star's All Star Band of hillbilly New York rejects. Lame Junk...

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