Stay Positive
by The Hold Steady
  • Record Label: Vagrant
  • Release Date: Jul 15, 2008
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 95 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 76 out of 95
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 95
  3. Negative: 12 out of 95

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  1. BrianG.
    Jul 15, 2008
    0
    Another gay album from a gay band.
  2. MichaelE.
    Jul 16, 2008
    3
    Boring, 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!
  3. LawrenceH.
    Jul 28, 2008
    3
    This is a really disappointing, exceedingly overrated cd. I agree entirely with Michael E. It is curious why so many beloved indie bands' fans won't embrace the music that their heroes so blatantly at best borrow, more realistically rip off. I hear Tom Petty, of course Bruce, Thin Lizzy, Cheap Trick all over this sprawling overly lengthy mess, but with vastly inferior songs. This is a really disappointing, exceedingly overrated cd. I agree entirely with Michael E. It is curious why so many beloved indie bands' fans won't embrace the music that their heroes so blatantly at best borrow, more realistically rip off. I hear Tom Petty, of course Bruce, Thin Lizzy, Cheap Trick all over this sprawling overly lengthy mess, but with vastly inferior songs. Nothing on this comes close to Thunder Road or Refugee, for instance. Also, Mr. Finn can't sing.… Expand
  4. NickC.
    Aug 20, 2008
    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.
  5. tgb
    Sep 28, 2008
    2
    Weak 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.
  6. SandeepM.
    Jul 16, 2008
    1
    Warmed over Counting Crowes. Why are people falling all over themselves, for this?
  7. StaashB
    Jul 18, 2008
    3
    Sounds like the Counting Crows to me. Should be added to the "Stuff White People Like" blog.
  8. RobertH.
    Jul 19, 2008
    2
    Just don't understand all the praise.
  9. BrendanD
    Aug 11, 2008
    1
    This is exactly what Wilco's "Sky Blue Sky" would've been if Tweedy didn't know how to catch us off-guard. What a horrible record from one of the most seminally overrated bands in the world.

Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best Album of 2008
30
#30 Most Discussed Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. Boston Globe
    80
    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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  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.
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    80
    Despite some subtle new touches --a harpsichord, a banjo, light strings--the sound proposes constancy.
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