You know it’s been a busy week when the announcement of a new album from that favourite band of mine draws no comment on this blog. I did, however, squeal in the staffroom.
Heaven Is Whenever, the fifth studio album from The Hold Steady, is set for release on 4th May (my dad’s birthday!) on Vagrant Records in the US and the day before over here – once again on Rough Trade. The album was produced by Dean Baltulonis, known for his work on Almost Killed Me and the sublime Separation Sunday, with a little help from the band’s own Tad Kubler – and sees piano and keys take a backseat to guitar following the departure of Franz Nikolay last month.
Singer Craig Finn says the album is about “embracing suffering and finding reward in our everyday lives,” which might sound like a downer to you – but I can hardly wait.
Tracklisting as follows:
1. The Sweet Part of the City
2. Soft in the Center
3. The Weekenders
4. The Smidge
5. Rock Problems
6. We Can Get Together
7. Hurricane J
8. Barely Breathing
9. Our Whole Lives
10. A Slight Discomfort
Tourdates? Well yes, there are a few – but none in Glasgow, as yet. Figuring this one out is going to be… interesting. See The Hold Steady on 22nd June at London’s HMV Forum, or on the 26th of the same month at Manchester’s Academy 2.
I think the Academy 2 (or MDH as us old Manc graduates still call it) is the better venue, having been to both, but I would always take a trip to Manchester over a visit to London, so I’ll admit I’m biased. X
London gives me floors to kip on, which normally swings it… I suspect it will all be moot without birthday money anyway! Crossing fingers for a Glasgow date SO HARD.x
Ooh, thanks for the info! I took a while to get into The Hold Steady but listened to Stay Positive a lot in the summer and have been v keen since then – unfortunately didn’t go when they played here last but if they come again then I definitely will!
It was only once I saw them live that I completely fell for them – so I hope you do get to see them! x
After seeing a very brief set at oxygen a couple of years ago – and never getting to see them again thanks their fantastic inability to play dates in Ireland except as support to stupid fecking counting crows – I would vote for both. Seeing them twice in four days seems to be the only logical choice Lis.
Well it worked for 2008
See, this was the good thing about a proper job – money to stalk my favourite bands! x
So, so, so happy to hear about this. May is going to be a busy month with new National, New Pornographers & Broken Social Scene records also slated. Yippee!!!!
And Jesse Malin in April, Gaslight Anthem in June! It’s pretty much a flush year for me!
My ticket is in the post, yay!!! Can’t believe I saw this so quickly, can’t even remember if it was on twitter or somewhere else. The internet is fun at times. Sxx
Meh. I hope it’s amazing, and that we still make it somehow
London trumps all, beyotch!
The free accommodation does, certainly :p
Fucking hell, I didn’t know Franz had left the band. Clearly I haven’t been following your blog closely enough (sorry). Someone else will HAVE to grow a moustache now.
Or my heartbroken tweets! I think you would make an excellent replacement, we already know you can rock the tache
ha that may be, but I have absolutely no musical ability