Boys And Girls In America (+Bonus 'Live')

...that's what Craig Finn - singer and lyricist with The Hold Steady - proclaimed with preacher-like rhetoric to the heaving crowd of York Fibbers on Tuesday 20th February, 2007. Dripping with sweat and drunk on (equal parts) alcohol, air-punching guitar riffs and complete hero worship, Craig could have divulged his belief that badgers are our intellectual superiors and are just biding their time until the inevitable takeover, and we'd have all agreed with him. Woodland-based conspiracy theories aside, at that point - if we hadn't already - everyone one of us in that room also believed in the power of rock and roll.

Such is the passion and conviction of this, The Hold Steady's third album, that they'll make you believe almost anything. NME called them "classic rock'n'roll charged with the spirit of hardcore punk" (the band are, at the time of writing, on the magazine's US tour with our own Art Brut and slaying every venue they grace), MOJO gave them a 5/5 rating and called 'Boys & Girls In America' "the first great album of 2007", while Q Magazine (4/5) and 6 Music's Phil Jupitus are also huge fans of the Brooklyn quintet, whereas in that rather cramped room in York, Craig Finn described them as a band who "play bad-ass rock and roll while I just spout bollocks over the top". I would describe them as a group who make my life better with their mere existence.

Listening to their previous two albums, I get the impression that The Hold Steady have been working their way up to producing 'Boys & Girls In America' and this album is where they reach complete and utter perfection. Craig Finn's tales of being young and loaded - featuring of course our heroes Gideon, Charlemagne and Holly - have changed very little over the course of three albums, but when a man writes so articulately and passionately why would you want him to change. Such acute and gorgeously phrased lyrics have as much in common with Tom Waits as they do with Alex Turner, whilst comparisons to Bruce Springsteen are not just musical, as Finn's characters are every bit as desperate, yet in search of redemption, as any Mary or Wendy that the Boss may care to conjure. And despite Finn's multitude of casualties, the rest of the band provide a backing of pure life affirming joy with the kind of rock and roll that nobody seems to make anymore. By way of an explanation, guitarist Tad Kubler (or "The Kooooooob!" as he's known) once said "My sound is, 'What would Jimmy Page do?'...then I joined a band where one of the other band members really hates Led Zeppelin!", a position filled by moustachioed ivory tinkler Franz Nicolay; a man so uncool he's cool, who plays piano like a mix between the E Street Band's Roy Bittan and boogie woogie nuisance Jools Holland (and live also plays a mean harmonica). Growing up in Minneapolis in the 80s, frontman Finn developed a love for underground legends The Replacements, as well as other alt rockers on the scene like Soul Asylum, Dinosaur Jr, and hardcore heroes Monkey Biscuits (a useless fact for you, Soul Asylum's Dave Pirner provides the male vocals on 'Chillout Tent'). With such musical diversity and talent on offer, it would be impossible for The Hold Steady NOT to be one of the best rock bands in the world right now, which of course they are.

'Boys And Girls In America' is the band's first record for Vagrant and by way of a celebration I suppose, the label have decided to re-release the album with a bonus disc containing The Hold Steady's acoustic show at Fingerprints (like an American version of Fopp I think). Fantastic news for UK fans, as the album was only available from independent stores across the pond, and this version has two songs - 'Modesto's Not That Sweet' and the incredible 'First Night' - that weren't even available on that record, but I've got to say, I'm bloody sick and tired of reissues. This year has seen loads, from 'Back To Black' to ANOTHER version of 'A Weekend In The City', and I don't think it's fair. Record companies tell us that we shouldn't illegally download music, but when they re-release albums not even a year after they first came out, I don't see why we should take a damn bit of notice. It's pure exploitation and it's not on. Why wasn't the Fingerprints album made available separately as an EP? Other artists have done this (Ryan Adams recently releasing the chart ineligible 8 track single of 'Everybody Knows' for example), why can't everyone? Record companies still make their money and the fans aren't forking out for something they already own. But rant aside, the bonus disc is good although not essential. I got a copy of the original Fingerprints CD over eBay (being the obsessive I am) and I don't think The Hold Steady should really do the whole acoustic versions thing. It's nice to be able to hear Craig Finn's words more clearly and a novelty to hear Nicolay on the accordion, but with just one acoustic guitar to cover the rhythm it all sounds a little bare and lacking in energy and Finn sounds a bit bored and detached.

If you're new to The Hold Steady I would certainly recommend this album, and this version too, even if it's just for the sexy black slip case with the sparkly purple Hold Steady logo on the front! Definitely check out the other two albums as well now they've been released in the UK, 'Separation Sunday' especially is fantastic and very nearly as good as 'Boys And Girls...' The best way I can think to sum up the effect of The Hold Steady is to say that even at the very mention of their name, and with no other band does this happen to quite the same extent, I get the biggest, silliest smile spread across my face. I love them to pieces and I hope one day you will too.

If there is one album by The Hold Steady which is an essential it is this one but thats not to say that you shouldnt have all of them! For those who have recently started listening to Gaslight Anthem this is the group they admire the most. Yes there is the inevitable Springsteen influence (Stuck between Stations) but there is so much more to this group that being early Brooce copyists although I accept that Craig Finn's vocals may be an acquired taste. No one can deny that he is one of rocks great lyricists . Buy this album ,and book tickets to see them in the UK in 2011!