Boys And Girls In America
by The Hold Steady
  • Record Label: Vagrant
  • Release Date: Oct 3, 2006
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 109 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 95 out of 109
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 109
  3. Negative: 6 out of 109

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  1. Ndrwdvdbrsn
    Oct 9, 2022
    10
    Boys and Girls in America encapsulates the feeling of emptiness that comes from a life of only drugs and partying; yet, ironically, their most fun album to play at a party. By far the best album from The Hold Steady.
  2. TomA
    Jan 20, 2010
    9
    Musically, there are parallels here with Springsteen, but lyrically they are worlds apart. I do like Springsteen but Finn here goes way beyond his level of artistry, his lyrics are intelligent, colourful and very original, and his tales of tearaway youth portray a narrative not disimilar from that adopted by the Arctic Monkeys. This goes beyond classic Americana, as it blends wit, Musically, there are parallels here with Springsteen, but lyrically they are worlds apart. I do like Springsteen but Finn here goes way beyond his level of artistry, his lyrics are intelligent, colourful and very original, and his tales of tearaway youth portray a narrative not disimilar from that adopted by the Arctic Monkeys. This goes beyond classic Americana, as it blends wit, excuberance and artistry in an almost nonchalant manner - a modern classic in the most unlikely of guises. Just listen to the previous album 'Almost Killed Me' and you'll wonder where on earth this came from.… Expand
  3. Ryanr
    Sep 14, 2008
    9
    Better when it was called "Born To Run", but a great album nonetheless.
  4. Brian
    Feb 26, 2008
    10
    Unbelievable album, such a fun album to listen to. Finn just seems like a likable character with these stories.
  5. Will
    Feb 14, 2008
    9
    A very good album. I'm not quite sure why though. The lyrics are smart and adult themed, maybe because they are a maturer band in age. Some of the slower songs remind me of Counting Crows though. But it all works. Somehow.
  6. jj
    Jan 11, 2008
    7
    Good music, but i don't like the singer's delivery.
  7. WayneW.
    Jan 1, 2008
    10
    The lyrics are fantastic, but the amazing thing about this album is how it truly rocks. I haven't heard an album rock like this in a long long time. You can compare Finn to Springsteen if you want. But this album is Springsteen on crack!
  8. James
    Aug 21, 2007
    9
    Fantastic. A witty, often touching album that can be equally enjoyed by pretentious indie fans, classic rock fans, and complete philistines. Listen to it now.
  9. FikusS
    Aug 15, 2007
    10
    This album is unreal. This is what good American Bar Rock sounds like. If Bruce Springsteen started a Indie Rock bank in 75' it would have sounded like this. There are very few artists out there right now that tell a story like Craig Finn. Americana at it's best!
  10. PhilipJ
    May 27, 2007
    10
    This happens to be one of the best rock and roll records of the last decade. The characters are the kids I grew up with and the stories are glorifieds of what I'm going through. I knew the lucky messed up chick who was afraid to let people get too close (Chips Ahoy!). I've gotten sick on a cross town bus and had to lay down on a dirty public bench with no one to keep me company This happens to be one of the best rock and roll records of the last decade. The characters are the kids I grew up with and the stories are glorifieds of what I'm going through. I knew the lucky messed up chick who was afraid to let people get too close (Chips Ahoy!). I've gotten sick on a cross town bus and had to lay down on a dirty public bench with no one to keep me company but my thoughts (Stuck Between Stations). This is a wonderful, underrated band that reminds people that rock and roll is meant for the outsiders. Not the hipsters American Idols looking for a reason to whine.… Expand
  11. othos
    Apr 16, 2007
    10
    I'm gonna take a wild stab and guess that reviewer Sam E. is between 18-25. That's not his fault. (Obviously) having no CDs in his collection recorded before 2000...is. THS fuses the best of Thin Lizzy/Asbury Park-era Springsteen with the halcyon days of Minneapolis punk (Replacements, Husker Du) to produce modern music utterly unlike anything else I have heard of late. In the I'm gonna take a wild stab and guess that reviewer Sam E. is between 18-25. That's not his fault. (Obviously) having no CDs in his collection recorded before 2000...is. THS fuses the best of Thin Lizzy/Asbury Park-era Springsteen with the halcyon days of Minneapolis punk (Replacements, Husker Du) to produce modern music utterly unlike anything else I have heard of late. In the cookie-cutter world of current alt-rock, unique apparently equals crap.… Expand
  12. JimR
    Apr 13, 2007
    10
    "It started recreatonal, it ended kind of medical." Fantastic old school sound, great lyrics.
  13. KennyM
    Apr 13, 2007
    10
    One of the best rock albums, not only of 2006, but of the last decade. A classic.
  14. paulg
    Mar 1, 2007
    10
    THS rock and they roll. lyrics that tell a story. allusions, double meanings, etc... Finally.
  15. juniorm.
    Feb 26, 2007
    8
    This guy's voice takes some getting used to - kind of nasal and droney, but if you can get over that...some of the best guitar rock out there. It's not cool or original - this is about big riffs, solos, choruses, and lyrics that are smart rather than smart-arse.
  16. AlexA
    Feb 8, 2007
    9
    Love this album. Lots of fun, lots of lyrics and lots of guitars. Bet they are good live
  17. romanmc
    Feb 1, 2007
    8
    At least 5 or 6 songs actually "rock." They should be congratulated for this. It's safe to say that hardly anyone rocks like this anymore (i.e. kind of hard but happy, upbeat and tuneful). The lyrics are clever and the storylines are amusing if not redundant after repeated listens (I get it...they're all wasted). The music from the "emotional" song sounds like Lee Greenwood...if At least 5 or 6 songs actually "rock." They should be congratulated for this. It's safe to say that hardly anyone rocks like this anymore (i.e. kind of hard but happy, upbeat and tuneful). The lyrics are clever and the storylines are amusing if not redundant after repeated listens (I get it...they're all wasted). The music from the "emotional" song sounds like Lee Greenwood...if you're into that sort of thing. Bottom line is that there is a place for the Hold Steady but it's not something you want to exclusively listen to track-for-track over-and-over again for any length of time. That dude who thinks it's the best album since Aeroplane must be eating the same mushrooms as the kids in "Chillout Tent."… Expand
  18. MusicMaven
    Jan 27, 2007
    9
    The Hold Steady make 70's classic rock influences seem fresh again without being overtly 'retro' (like say Counting Crows). Craig Finn's detailed character sketches are less wordy, more universal, and ultimately more appealing than ever. The band has become a tighter unit, incorporating piano and organ while rocking harder than ever. This is their best album, and one The Hold Steady make 70's classic rock influences seem fresh again without being overtly 'retro' (like say Counting Crows). Craig Finn's detailed character sketches are less wordy, more universal, and ultimately more appealing than ever. The band has become a tighter unit, incorporating piano and organ while rocking harder than ever. This is their best album, and one of the finest of 2006.… Expand
  19. GuyH
    Jan 10, 2007
    8
    Funny how the same criticism keeps coming up over and over again - they are a poor 'bar band'. Err, what? They are a rock band who play more up- tempo stuff so apparently this makes them a bar band - this is very lazy genre pigeon-holing - the sort of stuff we hate to read so please try to avoid this... The album is great although I suspect the vocals will turn a lot of people Funny how the same criticism keeps coming up over and over again - they are a poor 'bar band'. Err, what? They are a rock band who play more up- tempo stuff so apparently this makes them a bar band - this is very lazy genre pigeon-holing - the sort of stuff we hate to read so please try to avoid this... The album is great although I suspect the vocals will turn a lot of people off. Think of the lead singer from the band Soul Coughing rocking out and you are pretty much there. Finn's lyrics are top notch, amusing and poignant, but if you can't identify with the chracters in his songs they will probably leave you cold. Which is fair enough.… Expand
  20. AnthonyO
    Jan 8, 2007
    10
    If you don't like this album, you're not very smart.
  21. JacksonG
    Jan 5, 2007
    9
    This is not regurgitated bar rock. Listen to the fuzz guitar... that's a sound no other band has gotten. The stories may be about girls, drugs, and drunken nights, but it goes much deeper than any bar rock has ever even gone for. This album's lyrics are so superficial that it manages to bring out the life where most bands only achieve groan-worthy cliches.
  22. anna
    Dec 20, 2006
    10
    concept albums are tough to pull off, but finn does it with a narrow focus and a big sound.
  23. DanH
    Dec 10, 2006
    10
    (9.5) Amazing album, one of the best of the year! Recommended to anyone who likes a good rock record and isn't turned off by numerous drug and sex references. I had never heard of the Hold Steady previously but now am a huge fan. Try it, you'll like it.
  24. MattB
    Dec 4, 2006
    10
    An overwhelming achievement in a completely untapped field of music. Nobody sounds like these guys, and I mean this in the best ways possible, but they do not get caught up in their uniqueness. This album is pure poetry and is the best literature of the year!
  25. MarkC
    Dec 3, 2006
    8
    Number 9 on http://asaltysalute.blogspot.com/
  26. BrianC
    Dec 3, 2006
    9
    9.3/10
  27. MattS
    Nov 24, 2006
    10
    Best album I've heard all year, although it's understandably not for everyone. I hated these guys when I first heard them a couple years ago, and they quickly became one of my favorite bands... newcomers should give this one a few spins before writing it off on first impressions.
  28. ChadM
    Nov 22, 2006
    8
    Fantastic follow up album. Great party record or driving album. It is one of the finest releases of the year for consistent song writing. These guys write albums not songs, which is an artform that is quickly dying.
  29. MikeM
    Nov 7, 2006
    10
    Wow this album is just simply stunning. Best album of 2006 ( well that and the other wolrdly Sunset Rubdown album). This is going to be blaring from speakers for years to come. WIth their last three albums the Hold Steady have put them selves in to the realm of the likes of the Pixies, Pavement, & Neutral Milk Hotel. A legendary band, who in the next 20 years will be more myth than men. Wow this album is just simply stunning. Best album of 2006 ( well that and the other wolrdly Sunset Rubdown album). This is going to be blaring from speakers for years to come. WIth their last three albums the Hold Steady have put them selves in to the realm of the likes of the Pixies, Pavement, & Neutral Milk Hotel. A legendary band, who in the next 20 years will be more myth than men. Best album since NMH's In the Aeroplane over the sea… Expand
  30. PDugan
    Nov 5, 2006
    9
    This has my vote (not that I have one) for Album of the Year. While the Killers are trying hard to spin their new CD as a Born to Run follow-up, this is actually has much more of that same big, anthemic, rocking feel...it's a Born to Run for the 2000's. I've had this on non-stop for 3 weeks now and it's only sounding better every time I hear it.
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Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best Album of 2006
38
#38 Most Discussed Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 36
  3. Negative: 1 out of 36
  1. Blender
    90
    [Finn] tells better stories than anyone else in music these days. [Oct 2006, p.131]
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    On several tracks, the swirls of organ they've added to their hyper-literate stomping suggest Deep Purple with a library card. [6 Oct 2006, p.68]
  3. Los Angeles Times
    75
    Packed with forceful, nuanced songwriting that makes room for face-melting guitar riffery, lovelorn Midwestern teenagers and even, by Hold Steady standards, a bit of actual singing.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »