User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 95 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 76 out of 95
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Mixed: 7 out of 95
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Negative: 12 out of 95
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ChesterAug 21, 2008Love the Hold Steady. Love all of their past albums. Love their live show. However, this album is mediocre at best.
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LeahT.Aug 29, 2008Not what it's cracked up to be. A lot of literal lyrics and repetitive chords. Sorry, but I expected something more original and creative. The Hold Steady has this "we Rock" arrogant attitude that makes this all the worse. Skip it.
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LesHMar 17, 2009But for how heralded these guys are
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PJBDec 12, 2008
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Awards & Rankings
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Ultimately, Stay Positive achieves the admirable feat of being a record you can listen closely to or rock out to, equally adaptable to late-night wallowing and the party at the water tower.
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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.
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Despite some subtle new touches --a harpsichord, a banjo, light strings--the sound proposes constancy.