Thrashing thru the Passion
by The Hold Steady
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
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  1. MusicGuyMack
    Sep 12, 2019
    6
    Probably about as close as you'll ever get to a half-committed Bruce Springsteen leading Manic Street Preachers in doing a collection of Born to Run B-side covers, the record is unfortunately nowhere near as deliriously entertaining as such a description might suggest. Competently made and performed overall, but the album seems to lack much of the passion promised in the title.

    Choice    Probably about as close as you'll ever get to a half-committed Bruce Springsteen leading Manic Street Preachers in doing a collection of Born to Run B-side covers, the record is unfortunately nowhere near as deliriously entertaining as such a description might suggest. Competently made and performed overall, but the album seems to lack much of the passion promised in the title.

    Choice Cuts: "Denver Haircut", "Entitlement Crew"    … Expand
  2. lederniermot
    Aug 23, 2019
    9
    What is most surprising is that half of these songs are old, yet still function well in the context of the album. While Franz coming home is welcome and cool, Tad and Steve are all over these songs. It’s easily the best since Stay Positive, and is probably better than that.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Dusted Magazine
    Sep 13, 2019
    80
    The Hold Steady will probably never match the thrill of their first three releases, but Thrashing Thru the Passion is the most enjoyable record they’ve made in thirteen years.
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  2. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Aug 23, 2019
    60
    Thrashing Through the Passion is easily the band’s softest album to date. Where most Hold Steady albums fill the room with sound, there’s a lot of quiet and negative space on this album. While the band’s other albums wrap you up in an awkward hug of emotions and drag you through to a catharsis, this album is passive.
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  3. The Quietus
    Aug 22, 2019
    70
    If something’s missing, it’s in production that can’t hide ageing spread; over separate sessions, with separate moods. None of it parlays a singular vision. It’s not meant to. So although the songs often hit the spot (it’s a fuck ton more enjoyable than Teeth Dreams) it’s not a follow-up to Stay Positive.
    Read full review
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