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. NathanielA
    Nov 9, 2006
    0
    Regurgitated, reprehensible bar rock with no redeeming value whatsoever.
  2. Andy
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    The Hold Steady get better and better with each album release. Yeah, our government is in turmoil and there's a war going on an ocean away, but lets leave that to the hundreds of other bands and country singers suck that well dry. This album proves that bands can revel in the American landscape without being too political or pious. It's a breath of fresh air in a music scene The Hold Steady get better and better with each album release. Yeah, our government is in turmoil and there's a war going on an ocean away, but lets leave that to the hundreds of other bands and country singers suck that well dry. This album proves that bands can revel in the American landscape without being too political or pious. It's a breath of fresh air in a music scene that's gone stale and dry with trite political commentary. No one's saying that having a political conscience isn't important, but when the weekend comes round, the kids are looking to party and have a good time. Finally, a band and an album that gets it right.… Expand
  3. 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
  4. LawrenceP
    Oct 3, 2006
    9
    Nothing new here, but the words of Craig Finn are some of the best you will hear all year, not a bad song on the whole thing.
  5. ToddW
    Oct 4, 2006
    9
    Set to infectious beats by one of the best rock-n-roll bands going, The Hold Steady's latest is witty, poignant, and funny, often in the same song, in telling simple tales about those that the title implies, boys and girls in America. Like great cinema or radio, Craig Finn's lyrics allow us to fill in the blanks in his songs with our imagination, rather than have the storyline Set to infectious beats by one of the best rock-n-roll bands going, The Hold Steady's latest is witty, poignant, and funny, often in the same song, in telling simple tales about those that the title implies, boys and girls in America. Like great cinema or radio, Craig Finn's lyrics allow us to fill in the blanks in his songs with our imagination, rather than have the storyline shoved down our throat, as if we can't figure it our ourselves. It takes real talent to tell the tale of everyday living without sounding cliched and cloying, and Finn is a master at this craft. Boys and girls, it won't get a second of airplay in the Sewerstream, so let's hold this band steady in our collective consciousness.… Expand
  6. jons
    Oct 4, 2006
    9
    would have given it a 10, but i'm not sure perfection exists. this is one hell of a record. this might be one of the best i've ever heard. think the best parts of "the wild, the innocent and..." smart lyrics - and it rocks, exactly where it should. sorry to admit that i've never heard of these guys before today...what else don't i know about? did i mention that this would have given it a 10, but i'm not sure perfection exists. this is one hell of a record. this might be one of the best i've ever heard. think the best parts of "the wild, the innocent and..." smart lyrics - and it rocks, exactly where it should. sorry to admit that i've never heard of these guys before today...what else don't i know about? did i mention that this album is outstanding? i haven't been to a live show in 15 years...might have to camp out for tickets. my wife will be thrilled.… Expand
  7. [Anonymous]
    Oct 5, 2006
    8
    Solid songs, yet Finn's voice lacks the edge it had on the first two albums. And those acoustic guitars gotta go...
  8. staubin
    Oct 5, 2006
    8
    good effort from the self proclaimed "america's best bar band." finn's voice has a real unique quality about it that somehow both grates and fits at the same time with the band's garage style chops. but i like finn better when he's speaking more than singing. unlike separation sunday, here finn is actually attempting to sing and at times it detracts from what i believe good effort from the self proclaimed "america's best bar band." finn's voice has a real unique quality about it that somehow both grates and fits at the same time with the band's garage style chops. but i like finn better when he's speaking more than singing. unlike separation sunday, here finn is actually attempting to sing and at times it detracts from what i believe to be the band's overall uniqueness.… Expand
  9. SinclairS
    Oct 6, 2006
    9
    more pure genius from the Hold Steady. One of the top 10 albums this year
  10. SaidS
    Oct 6, 2006
    10
    They've worked out the bugs and are truly, truly rocking. Don't listen to the lyrics or you'll cry hot tears.
  11. RobbC
    Oct 6, 2006
    9
    Usually not into this much of a rock album but the songs are all fantastic. I look forward to seeing them in concert.
  12. PaulK
    Oct 7, 2006
    9
    After two really good albums, The Hold Steady make a great one. Channeling AC/DC, and the E Street Band, their rock and roll is both new and classic. The stories and characters whose tales are told will stick with you. One of the best albums I've heard this year.
  13. AnthonyO
    Jan 8, 2007
    10
    If you don't like this album, you're not very smart.
  14. paulg
    Mar 1, 2007
    10
    THS rock and they roll. lyrics that tell a story. allusions, double meanings, etc... Finally.
  15. MichaelF
    Oct 19, 2006
    10
    This is the record of the year. It's everything.
  16. anna
    Dec 20, 2006
    10
    concept albums are tough to pull off, but finn does it with a narrow focus and a big sound.
  17. KyleB
    Oct 2, 2006
    10
    Already I think it might be my all time favourite.
  18. Giterdone
    Oct 25, 2006
    4
    music...nice licks and riffs = good lyrics....humorous, youthful, mischevious = good vocals....sounds like marshmellows shoved in this mouth = very bad
  19. Joe
    Oct 31, 2006
    10
    Craig Finn and his band capture the actions and feelings of youth in 2006 better than bands half his age. This album should be played at every party on ever college campus across the country.
  20. DavidD
    Oct 30, 2006
    10
    A masterpiece...never have i heard an album that showcases the beauty of youth so well. The album is about being young and having the whole world in front of you. Its also about living as though you never knew you did.
  21. ChrisB
    Oct 4, 2006
    9
    So different from "Separation Sunday" it's hard to compare, but it equals their last effort in its excellence. A must-listen...
  22. cwb
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    SICK. probably my album of the year, on one listen...
  23. hankm
    Oct 4, 2006
    7
    pretty "fun" stuff; but i don't find anything special about craig finn's lyrics. and the guitar solos are pretty lame. there isn't a "stevie nix" or a "crucifixion cruise" on this one.
  24. ChrisG
    Oct 4, 2006
    8
    The good: Finn's riveting mini-motifs of Americana / youth. LIsten closer if you just don't get it. The bad: A bit samey and HS-formula.
  25. AaronT
    Oct 5, 2006
    7
    Not bad by any standards, but not as good as their previous releases, or even anything by Craig's previous band, Lifter Puller. The lyrics, which are usually the strongest point of a Hold Steady album are too often drowned out by the heavily used piano.
  26. MK
    Oct 5, 2006
    8
    A very strong release. I'm a big fan but I've got to say that after a dozen listens none of the songs stick with me like they did on Almost Killed Me and Separation Sunday. Still better than anything else I've heard in the past 6 months.
  27. RobH
    Oct 5, 2006
    0
    An overhyped album if I've ever heard one. The Hold Steady continue to put out bland bar rock whose lyrics are their only saving grace. Unfortunately for them, the lyrics on this album pale in comparison to their previous two efforts. And don't tell me I must see them live. I have. And I still wasn't blown over.
  28. EricF
    Oct 9, 2006
    9
    Solid all the way through, with "Chillout Tent" as the stand-out track. Had it been released a couple of months earlier, it would have been THE song of the summer.
  29. 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
  30. 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.
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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 »