The Hold Steady performs “Sequestered in Memphis” on Letterman.

HOLD STEADY, Stay Positive (Vagrant)
Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon)

A highly anticipated follow up to 2006’s ‘Boys and Girls in America’. Craig Finn and crew continue to deliver madly brilliant songs and lyrics building on the style the E Street Band made so famous. This Florida boy can’t help but dig the Ybor City references in “Slapped Actress”. Long live Hold Steady. File under: Rock / Rock / Rock

Noteworthy

• JOHN MELLENCAMP, Life, Death, Love And Freedom (Hear)
  Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon)
  T Bone Burnett aka King Midas hops in to help out the ‘Cougar’ by producing his new album.
• O.A.R., All Sides (Everfine)
  Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon)
  Powerful pop, among the best the summer has yet to offer.

More Highlights

DREW EMMITT, GRASCALS, HOT CLUB OF DETROIT, BILLY JOEL, NATION BEAT, RANDY TRAVIS and more. See our Release Calendar for more new releases like these.

Bonus Material

Noteworthy articles from Twangville and our friendly neighbors:

• Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2008, A Video Companion #2 [Twangville]
• Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2008, Part 2 [Twangville]
• Anthony DaCosta-Abbie Gardner “Better Nights-Better Days” [Twangville]
• Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2008, A Video Companion #1 [Twangville]
• Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2008, Part 1 [Twangville]
• The Real Return of Matthew Sweet [Twangville]
• The Hold Steady / Stay Positive: “Let’s clutch and kiss and sing and shake, tonight let’s try to levitate” [Fuel/Friends]
• Saturday Twang: Grayson Capps, Live in Amsterdam [HearYa]
• HearYa Live Session 22: Langhorne Slim and The War Eagles [HearYa]
• Alejandro Escovedo :: The AD Interview [Aquarium Drunkard]

Grab Bag

• FREE GIVEAWAY! I’m giving away a free mystery (alt-country) disc this week to one lucky winner as a way of saying thanks for being a part of Twangville. Simply comment on this post to be eligible. The winner will be contacted the following week. NOTE: You must have a US mailing address to win.

About the author: Tom is a Design Director for Viget Labs currently living in Northern Virginia with his wife and two kids.

Sun, Jul 13, 2008 @ 9:27 pm |