User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 95 Ratings
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 76 out of 95
-
Mixed: 7 out of 95
-
Negative: 12 out of 95
Review this album
-
-
Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.
-
-
Submit
-
Check Spelling
- User score
- By date
- Most helpful
-
BrianG.Jul 15, 2008Another gay album from a gay band.
-
-
Sep 3, 2010A bit of a change for the Hold Steady. Putting their feet in Brooklyn, they are adapting to a little New York sound but remain steadily themselves. Not as exciting, however, than some previous albums.
-
MichaelE.Jul 16, 2008Boring, old-fashioned in a not-so-inspired way. Some call it "Dad Rock", but if you compare this to old albums that are similarly rooted in American traditions - Little Feat, the early Allman Brothers - you might get skeptical about all these enthusiastic reviews, I think. No strong melodies, no great hooks, al sounds a bit similar!
-
-
LawrenceH.Jul 28, 2008
-
-
JsdonqWOct 14, 2008Great album... Constructive summer kicks things off perfectly and Slapped Actress continues the Hold Steady tradition of having epic finishing songs on albums.
-
-
IsaacO.Jul 14, 2008in reality, this is about an 8+, rather than 9. It's the weakest of all their albums. That said, it's still better than 90% of the rest of the music that has come out this year. or is likely to come out.
-
-
JimmyJul 15, 2008This is the most fun album the has been released this year.
-
-
MichaelV.Jul 16, 2008Had to build my own chill-out tent to recover from my first listen of "Stay Positive". Brilliant lyrically and musically, I may need an intervention.
-
-
HarryS.Jul 18, 2008Never cease to amaze.
-
-
JakeBAug 26, 2008The Hold Steady proove yet again that they are one of the best bands in America. On Stay Posotive they tried to expand their sound and did so with great achievment. Althouthg some of the songs fall short, (Navy Sheets, Yeah Saphire) the rest are as good as it gets. The Bonus Tracks are also phenomenal arguably the best songs on the record.
-
-
NickC.Aug 20, 2008The 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.
-
-
tgbSep 28, 2008Weak riffs. 100% ordinary. I hate when bands put out a "dynamic coming out record" and it's just worn territory from the beaten path served to us on a silver platter with a sprig of parsley. Then the band stands by their work like its all original, or at least an authentic homage to the bands they would love to emulate, but it's just ends up a stupid fucking indie fart.
-
-
ArchieSJan 3, 2009Wow 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!!!
-
-
LoganFDec 8, 2008The Hold Steady reiterate themselves lyrically a lot, it's good for connection with a long time listener, but the tunes don't beat the last three albums.
-
-
RickR.Jul 14, 2008very good. a little too much sameness from boys and girls in america in the sound, and from separation Sunday in the lyrics. not really a huge step forward. but hey, they do what they do well. best tracks are 'lord I'm discouraged' (despite the cookie-cutter guitar solo), 'magazines', 'joke about jamaica', and 'slapped actress'.
-
-
MattS.Jul 14, 2008
-
-
PatJul 15, 2008I don't know what the reviewer from Spin was smoking, because this is in no way mellower than any other Hold Steady release. It's a great followup to the absolutely classic Boys & Girls In America, and together they are an almost perfect 1-2 punch of good old-fashioned, roll-the-windows-down-and-crank-it rock. Great album.
-
-
MarkS.Jul 15, 2008
-
-
SandeepM.Jul 16, 2008Warmed over Counting Crowes. Why are people falling all over themselves, for this?
-
-
GuyHJul 16, 2008
-
-
MaxC.Jul 16, 2008Not their best but any Hold Steady record is better than just about any non-Hold Steady record these days.
-
-
DavidA.Jul 16, 2008I find it less consistent than their previous 2 efforts, but it is still a great album. You can tell they are trying new things and attempting to stay fresh. It works in some areas, and doesn't in others. The key to them has always been the lyrics, and Craig Finn has once again written some great songs.
-
-
MycroftW.Jul 17, 2008One of the most likable bands out there shows consistency with another triumph. The Hold Steady is well on the way to become the Drive By Truckers of the big city.
-
-
StephenL.Jul 17, 2008Really, really amazing. Constructive Summer might be one of the best songs I've heard in a long, long time. Classic rock. Go buy or at least download. The experience will justify itself.
-
-
StaashBJul 18, 2008Sounds like the Counting Crows to me. Should be added to the "Stuff White People Like" blog.
-
-
RobertH.Jul 19, 2008Just don't understand all the praise.
-
-
EricN.Jul 25, 2008
-
-
JoeJul 27, 2008
-
-
SteveOAug 1, 2008It's listenable, but i agree... we've all heard this stuff before! Same old power chords, same old, same old. Try something new please!
-
-
JordanS.Aug 11, 2008Best album of the year so far.
-
Awards & Rankings
-
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.
-
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.
-
Despite some subtle new touches --a harpsichord, a banjo, light strings--the sound proposes constancy.