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It's not really the album of the month anymore, because I couldn't get this together for a month -- even though my correspondents sent me their stuff quite a while ago.

Anyway, It's about The Hold Steady's latest this time around.

Brooks Tuck chose this one, so we'll start with his take:

"Stay Positive" by The Hold Steady ranks as one of my favorite albums of the year.  I figured this out empirically by noting that it has come out of my car CD changer exactly zero times since it's release.  I generally change those discs out once a week.  Now, while you are all making fun of me for being the only person that you know that doesn't own an iPod, I will justify my hyperbole.  From the opening blast of primal guitar, to the strident piano that punctuates the songs, to the sing along background vocals, there is nothing about this album that doesn't make me want to play it again the moment it ends.  The record has something for everyone.

The Hold Steady have been on my radar for some time, but I found myself grousing about Craig Finn's vocals.  To my ear, he talked more than he sang, and while you can hear some of that on "Stay Positive," there is definitely a move toward more a melodic lyric.  Stylistically, the band comes from many directions at once. Finn references old 7 Seconds and Youth of Today records on the latest single, "Stay Positive" which contains echoes of the gang backing vocals of those types of bands.  Still, one of Finn's earliest influences was The Band, and that is palpable as well.  On other songs an E Street influence is noted, particularly on the soaring piano leads which sound not at all unlike Roy Bittan.

As anyone who knows me can attest, I have a fine ability to deconstruct a band to the point that it my appear that the parts are greater than the whole.  This is something that needs to be avoided with Stay Positive.  This album, released in July, is one of the great all-time summer records.  As we head into the holiday season, I still can't stop listening to it.  If that doesn't define a great record, I don't know what does.  Final tally...  I paid 9.99 on iTunes for this record, and I'd have paid three times that.  In fact, I have, it is a Christmas present for at least 4 friends.

Here's what Matt Browning had to say:

First and foremost, I am biased.  I like the Hold Steady, and I owned this album before we decided to review it.  And no, I don't want a cookie for perceived snobbery.  My background in this band comes from my love of words and the story within a song.  My brother and I have always disagreed about music -- I like the composition of words put to music, he likes the composition of the music, period.  I was first attracted to the music of the Hold Steady after hearing "The Swish" on a college friend's Ipod in 2004.  The lyrics to the first chorus read, "She said my name is Rick Danko but people call me one-hour photo. I've got some hazardous chemicals, drive around to the window. She said my name is Robbie Robertson but people call me robo. I blew red white and blue right into a tissue. I came right over the counter just to kiss you."  To hear what it sounds like to music, you'll have to find it yourself, but those words were the first to attract my ears and dollars.  I said to myself, "Not only is this good, but these guys are acknowledging the existence of The Band."   "What band?" some will ask.

Now onto their recent release "Stay Positive."  My first impression of this album was that the guitars are too present for too long and the point of the story has a hard time coming through.  And I am one who never thought I would ever say, "the guitars are too loud" ever.   With that being said there is a lot more going on musically in this album, and that presence that I'm attributing to guitars may just be a more full sound altogether.  One thing the album definitely does not lack are catchy hooks.  If you take the time to listen there's a really good story hidden in the fullness of the music.

My two favorite tracks are "One For The Cutters," and "Lord, I'm Discouraged."  Just as I've described all along, these songs tell a great story.  Starting with "One For The Cutters," which tells the story of a college student hanging out with the 'townies' when she could find nothing else to do.  She ends up getting into a life that is much different than that of a 'normal' college student.  To me, the song paints the other side of the portrait of a cute little college town full of ambition that we all know and love.  Not to mention the harpsichord in the background is downright beautiful.  "Lord, I'm Discouraged" sounds to me like the pleading of a man in love in real life, sans rainbows, fate and fairytales and with the addition of drugs and alcohol.  The guitar and piano work throughout the song only adds to the power of the melody.  The song takes you to the point where you believe right alongside Craig Finn that "she keeps coming up with excuses, and half truths, and fortified wine. . . she keeps insisting that the sutures and bruises are none of my business."

Don't get me wrong, the rest of the story is just as good as those two songs.  I must admit I am a bigger fan of their other albums, but I've also had a little longer to grow accustomed to those.  Not to mention those albums, for the most part, didn't come prepackaged with my expectations.  I recommend this album to anyone ranging from those that like the lyricism of Bob Dylan or Springsteen to those that like the piano driven Queen rock songs.  And even to a completely different range of the spectrum, Drive-By Truckers fans.  Patterson Hood is a guest vocalist on this album and the two bands toured together for a period of time in 2008.

I don't remember how much I paid  for this album but I'd say it was around $15.  I think for the average listener who may not yet be a fan of the Hold Steady the album is worth around $13.99, which is what they sell it for at your non-local electronic superstore.

Now for a breakdown from my colleague and pal, Heather Froeschl:

I want to try to stay positive in my review. I have to share though that I’ve had this CD for two weeks and plugged it in numerous times on my drive to and from work, only to have my thoughts take over. It’s good somewhat classic rock but I found that it fades into the background. Even harsher: it reminds me of a really good garage band. Ouch. No super-rock-star comparisons this time.

The lead tune is decent enough but the second song, “Sequestered in Memphis” bugged me; I skipped it a couple of times. The third song was my favorite, asking the question, “When one townie falls in the forest does anyone notice?” It’s dark and full of trouble. The rest of the album seems to slip into the background until the end when the last notes make you think there is something more to come.

I paid $16.99 at Barnes & Noble for this one; though I didn’t have my Member card paid up to date and so I didn’t get a discount. Was it worth the price tag? I’m always game for something new, so for the experience, sure it was worth it. Would I recommend the purchase? Not likely.

Tad's take: First, this band released a record called "The Hold Steady Nearly Killed Me." I liked that title so much that I refused to listen to the record, afraid it would ruin my enjoyment of the title. Yes, I'm stupid. But since Brooks chose the new one, here are a few thoughts.

Early on, this sounds like a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. "One for the Cutters" is very strange, with a harpsichord melody and lyrics about a college woman's dalliances with the "townies" and the trouble the followed. "When there weren't any parties, sometimes she'd party with townies."

The band is really good and tight, and singer/songwriter Craig Finn sounds appropriately bitter. Guitarist Tad Kubler rocks it, and I'm showing a possible bias here because of his name!

As the record moves from "... Cutters ..." to "Navy Sheets" and beyond, the record continues to have some Springsteen moments. But it's cool.

I got this one for about $12 at Plan  9, and I'd say it's worth about $10 to me. That's not too bad!