The Hold Steady!!!

I'm sorry, I was wrong. It happens; I'm not perfect.

First, I complained about the early release on iTunes. They responded by giving CD buyers three excellent bonus tracks. Than I complained about the fast demise of great American bands I've had high expectations of (Wilco, Flaming Lips, My Morning Jacket, etc.). They respond by giving us another stunning masterpiece of an album. It's great to be wrong.

Stay Positive starts off with "Constructive Summer", a punk blast with shout-along lines like "We can all be something bigger!". Without even breaking momentum, they dive into their catchiest single ever: "Sequested in Memphis" is an early E Street Band party complete with smooth saxophone and squealing keyboards. Remember when rock bands made songs that make you want to dance?

On the third track, things start to get weird. "One for the Cutters" is a harpsichord waltz and "Navy Sheets" features and 80s pop synthesizer. Fans of Boys And Girls In America will love "Lord, I'm Discouraged", maybe their best power ballad. It sounds like Bob Seger closing a bar, and it has the greatest hair metal guitar solo since the Guns N' Roses broke up.

After the dark folk ballad "Both Crosses", the album peaks with the title track, a pounding rock jam that summarizes the theme of the record: it's hard growing old. Craig Finn does his old man rant about how it's going to be years from now when his band is old, irrelevant, and worn out, while making numerous references to the Hold Steady's past songs ("Massive Nights" and "Postive Jam" are referenced).

Make no mistake - this band isn't going anywhere. The Hold Steady are America's best band in 2008.