Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
Stay Positive - The Hold Steady
Stay Positive Image
Metascore
85 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 34 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 88 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: This is the fourth album for the Brooklyn, New York, indie rock quintet.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. Uncut
    100
    Staggeringly good.
  2. Slant Magazine
    100
    It is not only the Hold Steady's best record, but acts as a culmination of all of the ideas, stories, musical paths and character journeys that they've so pointedly led us down before.
  3. All Music Guide
    60
    Stay Positive is the most sophisticated and erudite THS have ever sounded, and that's a mixed blessing.

See all 34 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 55
  3. Negative: 9 out of 55
  1. ArchieS
    10
    Wow what an album!!! This has to be one of the best albums i've ever heard. Consistently good, no amazing! No duds, serious. If you like good old fashion rock n roll you'll like this. If you like music lyrically dense and quality, you'll like this. If you love music, you'll love this!!!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. LesH
    5
    But for how heralded these guys are – constructive summer – a song compared to celebrated summer and springsteen-meets-husker by the tastemakers of the music world – this voice – this song – is basically dramarama. Its all dramarama. Hardly groundbreaking, and hardly worth the high praise – its good – lyrically maybe a bit smarter – but I’m willing to bet for all the elitist rock fans out there who praise hold steady – they wouldn’t dare give dramarama the nod. I don’t even like dramarama that much – I have the “best” of – as they were always compared to the ‘mats way back when – though really only ‘anything anything’ and ‘last cigarette’ floats my boat. Hold Steady good; but not 84 pfork, 85 metacritic good.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. NickC.
    3
    The Hold Steady tried to change things up and failed miserably. Stay Positive leaves very little to stay positive about. I would rather listen to the brokerdealer than this shit.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 55 User Reviews

Current Music Releases

Full List »
  1. Loveless [Reissue] - My Bloody Valentine
    Metascore: 96
  2. Ram [Deluxe Edition] - Paul & Linda McCartney
    Metascore: 93
  3. L.A. Woman - The Doors
    Metascore: 93
  4. On the Impossible Past - The Menzingers
    Metascore: 93
  5. Biokinetics [Reissue] - Porter Ricks
    Metascore: 93
  6. Bitch Magnet - Bitch Magnet
    Metascore: 91
  7. Reform Club - Claro Intelecto
    Metascore: 89
  8. Be Good - Gregory Porter
    Metascore: 89
  9. Crown and Treaty - Sweet Billy Pilgrim
    Metascore: 88
  10. 1992-2012 - Underworld
    Metascore: 88
  11. Undun - The Roots
    Metascore: 88
  12. Accelerando - Vijay Iyer Trio
    Metascore: 87
  13. R.A.P. Music - Killer Mike
    Metascore: 87
  14. Voices from the Lake - Voices from the Lake
    Metascore: 87
  15. The Earn - Yu
    Metascore: 86
  16. Europe - Allo Darlin'
    Metascore: 86
  17. Young Man In America - Anais Mitchell
    Metascore: 86
  18. Vee Vee [Remastered] - Archers of Loaf
    Metascore: 86
  19. Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions - Billy Bragg/Wilco
    Metascore: 86
  20. Locked Down - Dr. John
    Metascore: 86
All Current Music »