The Hold Steady

Thrashing Thru The Passion

FRench Kiss First album in five years is a fine return to glory.

Brooklyn punkSpringsteens The Hold Steady return with their seventh album, a hodgepodge of new stuff and digital singles previously released over the past couple of years. Despite its nonlinear creation, the album is one of their tightest and most consistent in years, with Craig Finn’s razorsharp storytelling skills in full effect and the band exploring compelling new avenues, like the slo-mo Thin Lizzy of Blackout Sam, the Rick Springfield-y power-pop riffage of The Entitlement Crew, and delightfully mawkish AOR hooks of Traditional Village. Denver Haircut is the Hold Steadiest track on deck, and it’s as good as anything they’ve ever done. ■■■■■■■■■■ sleazegrinder