The Hold Steady - Heaven is Whenever (2010)

How could anyone not like drunken singalongs? Songs like this are made to be sung by anyone and everyone, preferably in unison, even by those of us with voices that don’t sound good unless you’re too inebriated to really hear it. The Hold Steady are a band made to be played at jukebox bars; their very sound conjures images of wooden, beer-stained bar tops, in the best sense possible. Vocalist Craig Finn sings in an almost slurred drawl. His voice isn’t pretty, but it contributes nicely to the vibe of the album, and isn’t so bad as to be a turn-off. The songs are all in the form of stories, telling about things that have happened without attaching any judgment or imposing any subjective values. The music alternates between thick slabs of distorted guitar, twangy country jams, or a combination of the two, throwing in some piano, rabid drumming, and even a vocal choir for good measure. Most people probably remember The Hold Steady’s massively-hyped 2006 album, Boys and Girls in America, which seemed to be universally-lauded in similar terms to those I’ve used to describe this one. In reality, while both are great albums, this one has a slightly different feel to it. After a few listens, I like this one better. The production on the new album seems a bit sloppier, though not altogether sloppy. “A Slight Discomfort” is a bit of a departure, it’s a slow dirge with animated percussion, strings, and a haunting piano melody. The song progresses towards a monumental climax of strings, chiming keys, and rolling percussions; if this album is bar-rock (which probably isn’t a real thing), then this song is analogous to the hazy walk home at closing time. I don’t think they’ve written a more affecting song than “We Can Get Together,” which is a charming tribute to (as near as I can tell) a dead musician. Stylistically, the band hasn’t changed much over the years; if anything, they are just willing to branch out a bit more these days. This is a wonderful thing as they have kept what makes them an interesting band, and have made a conscious decision not to be complacent but not to completely abandon who they are. Heaven is Whenever is definitely a good move for The Hold Steady. If there’s a low(ish) point, it’s “Hurricane J” which reminds me very much of Fountains of Wayne. The highs are far more numerous than the lows, though, and the overall aesthetic is just unabashedly fun; this is an album that should not be missed unless you’ve already decided you hate the band. The Hold Steady’s greatest asset is the fun factor, but I don’t throw that term around as an excuse for liking a mediocre band. The Hold Steady have absolutely mastered their craft, producing a work of art, and it’s such a friendly, inviting, and absolutely relevant record.

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