Separation Sunday

Some albums need to be taken as a whole and digested. While you can hear little 30-second snippets in iTunes and buy single tracks, what is beautiful and nutritional about 'Separation Sunday' doesn't exist in just one song. And for those new to THS and have purchased the whole album, you might not appreciate it at first. But there will come a time--maybe six weeks from now while you're motoring home from work with 'Stevie Nix' blaring from the car stereo or when you're on your morning jog and coming up over the hill to 'Hornets! Hornets!'--when the awesomeness of this album will smack you ... and then you'll start to listen, really listen to everything as you play the crap out of this and other THS records and remember how exhilarating rock and roll can be and thank this band for helping you to believe again in the restitutive power of immersing yourself in a great album, and then you'll start trying to get others to listen and remember and believe again. Then go see this band live 'cause they'll knock it out of the park for you.

This album is just too good. It's like classic rock but still seems very fresh and new, there's a ton of energy involved and Finn's lyrics are just great. They are not an easy band to get into, but once you know what you are looking for its brilliant and you appreciate it that much more

Listen to the album more than once. As soon as you accept Craig's voice you begin to absorb the genius of his lyrics and storytelling.

I've been listening to this album for a little over a year now, well over 120 listens, and it still sounds so new. Since falling in love with this album, I've soaked in their whole catalog and have become a full-blown fan. These guys are definitely not jaded. In a music landscape in which that's tough to do, these guys make me want to listen to them, seemingly effortlessly. Give this one a spin, and if you like it, go from there. I promise, you'll like everything else they do...

I'll preach - get this album. It's their best album. End of story

I never thought Craig Finn could do better than Lifter Puller's "Fiestas and Fiascos", but then there was Hold Steady's "Almost Killed Me"....and then this. It makes their subsequent dissapointments totally forgivable. THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS ALBUM.

Track By Track Review: #1 Hornets! Hornets!: Good way to kick start the album. 4.5 / 5 #2 Cattle & the Creeping Things: 4 / 5 #3 Your Little Hoodrat Friend: 4.75 / 5 #4 Banging Camp: 4 / 5 #5 Charlemange In Sweat pants: 4. / 5 #6 Stevie Nix: Great Guitar: 4.75 / 5 #7 Multitude of Casualties: 4.75 / 5 #8 Don't Let Me Explode: 4 / 5 #9 Chicago: 4 / 5 #10 Crucifixion Cruise: 4 / 5 #11 How A Ressurection Really Feels: 4.25 / 5 Grade: B- Essential Tracks: Stevie Nix, Your Little Hoodrat Friend, Multitude of Casualties E.W.: B+ Rolling Stone: 3 / 5 S

The Hold Steady are different. The music is simple, straight-shot rock n' roll, but the sound is unlike anything out there today. The songs are wild, crafted stories painting the seedy side of humanity while still searching for a way out. Finn has a Boss-like knack for songcraft but with a taste for the absurd (silly rabbit, tripping is for teenagers...) that he delivers with barkng tones and sultry wails. The riffs are rough, fuzzed-out and more than catchy. If you have any love for rock, listen to Cattle and the Creeping Things, Stevie Nix and How a Resurrection Really Feels...you'll have bought the rest before you're even through.

This album is perfect in every way. Mandatory listening for everyone. It gives me chills every time I listen to it, which is almost every day.

This is a great album IF you like vocals that are RECITED rather than sung!!! Personally, I would like to hear Craig sing a little bit more. He's got a great, unpracticed, natural voice and as far as I can tell no serious singing defects that some talking front men have (meaning some of them couldn't carry a tune if it had a shoulder strap). I think because this guy is a natural poet he just eases into rambling recitation. Now if the wonderful stories and jokes are good enough for you, you will have a lot of fun with this record and more power to you and to this fabulous band. As for me, I give it a high rating because it is imaginitive, unpretentious, good natured and above all it rocks, but I have to say I would love to hear their front man hit a few more notes in his vocal stylings. I am not saying that it is ALL talking and ranting and I'm not saying I don't LIKE the talking and ranting but literally about eighty percent of the vocals are spoken rather than sung. I guess if I was producing these songs I would suggest the vocalist head for a ratio closer to 50/50.