I’m currently listening to: The Hold Steady - Boys & Girls in America - Chips Ahoy!
Last night I started listening to the full album listening party of The Hold Steady’s Boys & Girls in America, and I haven’t stopped since. If you would like to join me, you can head over to Vagrant’s full album stream. The story telling in the album is incredible. It kind of reminds you of Bruce Springsteen. The band masterfully combines their straight forward rock sound with lyrics following the lives of a trio of characters who’s experiences are recounted throughout the album. Before this release, the only connection I had with this band was a cover of “Secret Santa Fe” performed by Bob Nanna (the song was originally written by Lifter Puller, a band containing the members of The Hold Steady). However, now I get the feeling that I will be visiting their previous albums, as soon as I can pull myself away from Boys & Girls in America. This album will definitely be visiting the likes of Moneen, Rocky Votolato, The Appleseed Cast, and others in my Top 10 Albums of the Year, barring some kind of miraculous output of albums in the next two months. Plus, you have to give some kind of bonus points for that cover– just look at that pink text!