Record Label: Vagrant Records
Genre: Rock
Buy on Amazon.com

I wasn’t impressed with the stuff I have heard from the Hold Steady in the past and the same goes with this album as well. “A Positive Rage” is a 2-disc Live CD/DVD documentary and fans of the band will love this record. If you’re not a fan, well then there’s no sense getting a live album from a band you don’t like.

The Hold Steady have a rock sound mixed with keys, distinctive vocals and hail from Brooklyn (and Minnesota). The thing I don’t like about The Hold Steady’s is Craig Finn’s vocals. Honestly, I think it sucks and not coherent enough to make out what he is saying. Just sounds like he’s slurring and talking, yet its called singing? Who knew?! I thought I’d keep an open-mind with this live CD because usually bands are better live. But for this album, I think I hated them more. The backing band draws out Finn’s vocals which would be a good thing, but it just sounds like a clusterfuck. I felt the keys of Franz Nicolay were too noticeable, where the vocals should have been the focus. I can’t figure out how The Hold Steady are this popular because I think they are very overrated. I’m sure all the hipsters out there will love this live CD/documentary DVD, but I didn’t. The live recording is okay but hard to hear the singing when all the instruments are playing. Even if the band were playing in my living room, still wouldn’t change the fact that I think this band sucks.

Bottom Line: Not a fan of the Hold Steady and didn’t care for this live album. I didn’t feel like watching a documentary on them either. Perhaps other people will?
Notable Tracks: Didn’t have any
Overall Rating: