Pure Rock Genius
After blowing away a soggy Glastonbury crowd, there's not much that The Hold Steady have left to prove. If he weren't still alive, we'd be heralding them as the reincarnation of Bruce Springsteen; shaking off this comparison must be pretty hard but the band don't rest on their laurels, producing tune after gritty, raw and rock-hungry tune.
'Chips Ahoy!' is the story from the street; a story about a guy, a girl and a betting habit, The Hold Steady's tunes are always so self-destructive, telling the modern days gospel as it is, with bright vocals, chugging guitars and keyboard swirls. "How am I supposed to tell if you're high if you won't let me touch you?" poses singer Craig Finn in the rousing chorus, it might not sound like poetry, but believe me, this is the cutting-edge equivalent of Shakespeare. The vocals have the warm, whisky-soaked Americana tones that always warm the heart and make for another fine single from an inspirational band.