I want to like The Hold Steady

I’ve been hearing Buzz on The Hold Steady for weeks. Maybe even months. I lagged on checking them out because I’ve been on this Lily Allen kick. Their website header is a loopy girly pink font, and from that I deduced they were an indie-pop band being fronted by someone with Damian Kulash vox– or maybe Ben Gibbard. Kevin Barnes? Actually, no logic was employed in my coming to that conlcusion, so I probably shouldn’t use the word “deduce.” Anyhow, I had warm, fuzzy, feelings for what The Hold Steady might be.

And then I saw this.

Holy sh*t, that guy sounds like he’s been smoking since he was 15, and that phlegm pockets are getting in line for his end-of-set coughing fit.

And is it just me or does Craig Finn remind you of…

Despite that, I think they still may grow on me. It took me FIVE years to warm up to Bright Eyes (great lyricist), and that mofo still sounds like he’s gonna hang himself after every song. And I can’t sit through any Ani Difranco songs cause folk-rock makes me want to yak, but that girl can WRITE.

And I really like The Hold Steady’s music. Really.So I’ll just give it time.