Boys And Girls In America - The Hold Steady
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Metascore
85 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 100 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The Brooklyn-based rockers move to emo label Vagrant for this John Agnello-produced release.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 36
  3. Negative: 1 out of 36
  1. Uncut
    100
    Finn’s writing is sharper than ever, the various narratives driven less by the wordy exposition of yore than acute observation, devastating detail, by turns exclamatory, epigrammatic and grainily authentic.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Almost cinematic in feel, much of The Hold Steady's genius lies in Finn's ability to craft songs that tell stories as wise, textured and three-dimensional as the nearest old oak tree. [13 Jan 2007, p.30]
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  3. Drowned In Sound
    60
    At most, half the songs on this album are capable of successfully fusing Finn’s compelling narratives with rather less than impressive instrumentation for an effect that’s worth some merit. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t ‘hold’ for the remainder.
  4. Playlouder
    20
    Though loquacious, 'Boys and Girls in America' is a record full of maddening stream of consciousness lyrics that amble without direction, and narratives with no real stories or purpose.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 71
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 71
  3. Negative: 4 out of 71
  1. Brian
    10
    Unbelievable album, such a fun album to listen to. Finn just seems like a likable character with these stories.
  2. juniorm.
    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.… Expand
  3. jj
    7
    Good music, but i don't like the singer's delivery.
  4. Giterdone
    4
    music...nice licks and riffs = good lyrics....humorous, youthful, mischevious = good vocals....sounds like marshmellows shoved in this mouth = very bad… Collapse

See all 71 User Reviews

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