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. jessespalding
    Sep 3, 2010
    8
    A 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.
  3. 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!
  4. 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
  5. JsdonqW
    Oct 14, 2008
    10
    Great album... Constructive summer kicks things off perfectly and Slapped Actress continues the Hold Steady tradition of having epic finishing songs on albums.
  6. IsaacO.
    Jul 14, 2008
    9
    in 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.
  7. Jimmy
    Jul 15, 2008
    10
    This is the most fun album the has been released this year.
  8. MichaelV.
    Jul 16, 2008
    10
    Had 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.
  9. HarryS.
    Jul 18, 2008
    9
    Never cease to amaze.
  10. JakeB
    Aug 26, 2008
    9
    The 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. ArchieS
    Jan 3, 2009
    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!!!
  14. LoganF
    Dec 8, 2008
    8
    The 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.
  15. RickR.
    Jul 14, 2008
    8
    very 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'.
  16. MattS.
    Jul 14, 2008
    9
    After three albums that all register a perfect 10 in my book, it's not all that surprising that these guys would eventually drop a 9. But when your band's weakest album is also one of the best releases of the year, you probably don't have too much to worry about. Really, my only complaint here is that Craig's characteristic sing/speak delivery sometimes leans a bit too After three albums that all register a perfect 10 in my book, it's not all that surprising that these guys would eventually drop a 9. But when your band's weakest album is also one of the best releases of the year, you probably don't have too much to worry about. Really, my only complaint here is that Craig's characteristic sing/speak delivery sometimes leans a bit too far in the sing direction (a bit further than on Boys and Girls, which I thought struck a perfect balance). That aside, his lyrics here are as incredible as ever, the band has never sounded better, and the album - hell, their entire catalogue to date - achieves greater cohesiveness and more consistency than most artists can sustain over the course of a single song. There is not a better rock n' roll band anywhere. Go see them live immediately.… Expand
  17. Pat
    Jul 15, 2008
    9
    I 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.
  18. MarkS.
    Jul 15, 2008
    10
    Party on Wayne, party on Garth, party on America! "Stay Positive" brings back memories of all the times that my buddy and I prepared the party site in the woods - you know, the railroad ties, bonfire, kegger - and then ended up rocking in a teenage wasted utopia with all our high school friends. Bruce Springsteen was taking America by storm being on the cover of Time and Newsweek the same Party on Wayne, party on Garth, party on America! "Stay Positive" brings back memories of all the times that my buddy and I prepared the party site in the woods - you know, the railroad ties, bonfire, kegger - and then ended up rocking in a teenage wasted utopia with all our high school friends. Bruce Springsteen was taking America by storm being on the cover of Time and Newsweek the same week, and Jimmy Carter was dealing with a different type of oil crisis. Craig and company pay homage to all that and more, and have recorded their best album to date in doing so.… Expand
  19. SandeepM.
    Jul 16, 2008
    1
    Warmed over Counting Crowes. Why are people falling all over themselves, for this?
  20. GuyH
    Jul 16, 2008
    7
    The title 'Stay Positive' is a bit of a risky one - what is conceived as a rallying call could end up sounding like a desperate plea if the album falls flat - and this release has a lot to live up to. 'Boys & Girls' was a fun listen and carved out a niche for the band as the feel good rockers who boasted untypically clever lyrics. The band seem a little too aware of The title 'Stay Positive' is a bit of a risky one - what is conceived as a rallying call could end up sounding like a desperate plea if the album falls flat - and this release has a lot to live up to. 'Boys & Girls' was a fun listen and carved out a niche for the band as the feel good rockers who boasted untypically clever lyrics. The band seem a little too aware of this on the opening two tracks which follow the blueprint established on 'Boys & Girls' a little too closely. The next two songs throw a lot of new ideas in the mix but aren't 100% successful. At this point on my first listen I was a little worried - not one of these songs is a patch on the first 4 songs that opened the last album. 'Lord...' marks the breakthrough - it is a steady, stately slow burner that boasts an awesome guitar solo that ignites the album. The next three songs continue the winning run - 'Sapphire' has a mean guitar sound, 'Crosses' would have probably been the best song on the recent Gutter Twins album and the title track contains this album's great impassioned (and slightly comical) Finn vocal. The quality dips slightly on 'Magazines' - but it is still a catchy rocker with those strange part punk, part muppet guest vocals on the chorus. 'Stay Positive' then rallies for a big 1-2 finish. 'Jamaica' is a bit kitchen sink with its Specials organ, rambling piano, voice box solo and the rest but it is theatrical in a good way and works pretty well. Even more successful is the stunning 'Actress'. It is the grandest of grand finales and recalls the more dramatic moments from last year's Okkervil River album 'The Stage Names'. Despite 'Stay Positive's imperfections I still believe this is exactly the sort of album they needed to release after their breakthrough - this is no weak retread and if some of the experiments don't quite come off you still have to applaud The Hold Steady for their positive ambition.… Expand
  21. MaxC.
    Jul 16, 2008
    9
    Not their best but any Hold Steady record is better than just about any non-Hold Steady record these days.
  22. DavidA.
    Jul 16, 2008
    8
    I 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.
  23. MycroftW.
    Jul 17, 2008
    9
    One 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.
  24. StephenL.
    Jul 17, 2008
    9
    Really, 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.
  25. StaashB
    Jul 18, 2008
    3
    Sounds like the Counting Crows to me. Should be added to the "Stuff White People Like" blog.
  26. RobertH.
    Jul 19, 2008
    2
    Just don't understand all the praise.
  27. EricN.
    Jul 25, 2008
    10
    Stay Positive is my favourite The Hold Steady album, even better than Separation Sunday and that's saying something. I like the maturity and world-weariness in Craig Finn's voice this time around and the band has never been tighter. Franz Nicolay's keyboards, rather than overpowering the mix like they did on Boys and Girls complement the songs so well. Anyone who comments Stay Positive is my favourite The Hold Steady album, even better than Separation Sunday and that's saying something. I like the maturity and world-weariness in Craig Finn's voice this time around and the band has never been tighter. Franz Nicolay's keyboards, rather than overpowering the mix like they did on Boys and Girls complement the songs so well. Anyone who comments that the songs all sound the same just haven't spent any time with this album. The variety of music here is amazing. I was listening to some old Lifter Puller tunes yesterday -- and to see where Finn started out and where he is today is like watching an epic movie unfold. Simply outstanding. If you've never heard this band, pick up this album, listen to it 3-4 times with the lyrics in hand and prepare to be swept away. You will be a fan for life.… Expand
  28. Joe
    Jul 27, 2008
    9
    I officially consider the Hold Steady my favorite modern band. There has been a pretty big void for me since Weezer stopped making real songs. The album is everything you want in an album. Catchy, unpretentious, smart, modern, clever, and its actually pretty rockin'. I have never considered anyone pop/rock artist a better lyricist than Elvis Costello but a few more albums like this I officially consider the Hold Steady my favorite modern band. There has been a pretty big void for me since Weezer stopped making real songs. The album is everything you want in an album. Catchy, unpretentious, smart, modern, clever, and its actually pretty rockin'. I have never considered anyone pop/rock artist a better lyricist than Elvis Costello but a few more albums like this and I would be comfortable saying that. I can't imagine giving any album a 10 besides Abbey Road or My Aim is True but this is about the closest thing to it.… Expand
  29. SteveO
    Aug 1, 2008
    7
    It's listenable, but i agree... we've all heard this stuff before! Same old power chords, same old, same old. Try something new please!
  30. JordanS.
    Aug 11, 2008
    10
    Best album of the year so far.
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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.
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  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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