Boys And Girls In America

Sound DNA

• Rock
• Garage Rock

• jangly
• rowdy
• storytelling

About

The Hold Steady’s third studio effort, 2006’s <i>Boys and Girls in America</i>, builds upon the stories lead singer Craig Finn had begun telling on albums like <i>Separation Sunday</i> and Almost Killed Me. These were vivid, interconnected narratives that, by the time <i>Boys and Girls in America</i> arrived, were together forming something akin to a cinematic universe. Yet, for all of Finn’s lyrical smarts, the songs on <i>Boys and Girls in America</i> were also pure, simple, and beautiful—and a ton of fun. The entire record almost feels like a driven, powerful live show, one where you barely stop dancing. And while it’s easy to make comparisons between The Hold Steady and the Boss, <i>Boys and Girls in America</i> features a large, arena-ready rock sound best described as Springsteen-esque—full of detailed stories about everything from mystic racetrack gamblers to aging scenesters. It’s a coming-of-age album from a band whose members were growing more comfortable with their own musical maturity. <i>Boys and Girls in America</i> marked a moment of pure evolution for The Hold Steady—one in which the group went from playing songs <i>about</i> a scene, to <i>becoming</i> a scene. The album played a crucial role in elevating the band’s profile, earning universal critical acclaim, along with a larger and ever-growing fan base, and eventually leading The Hold Steady to be named <i>Blender</i> magazine’s 2006 Band of the Year.

via Apple Music

Tracklist

Credits