If you’ve never heard of Craig Finn nor either of his bands, then you are missing out.
Let’s begin with LFTR PLLR (or Lifter Puller). This is a track off of Soft Rock entitled Sublet It was really hard for me to pick just one of their songs…
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You may not find Mr. Finn’s vocals the most pleasant, but that is one of the reasons I became enamored with LFTR PLLR in the first place. The second reason being the lyrics. Throughout the many LFTR PLLR songs, Craig recounts the adventures of a fictitious group of co-eds and ravers, destitute nightclub owners and dealers. While these events may be fabricated, they also exude a sense of nostalgia making them seem not only historical but experiential at the same time. This brings me to consider the quality of a song in general. I think a band can sing about whatever they want, but unless they have something that will drive their fans to go “Wow, I went through that. I can relate to this music”, then you’ve got nothin’. Okay…enough of this. On to The Hold Steady.
The Hold Steady-Chillout Tent from the album Boys And Girls In America
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One of the main reasons for choosing this song is because of its similarity to the songs of LFTR PLLR. Anyway, not much to say here other than after reading over the liner notes for this album I noticed that the female vocals on this track were provided by Elizabeth Elmore of Sarge and The Reputation fame (there is also a girl on the back cover of the booklet that looks a lot like her…). A discussion of her coolness will require a post all its own someday.
I don’t really understand why The Hold Steady has become as popular as it has. I mean they played at Ground Zero this year for chrissake. One could say that they are America’s band. My logical brain tells me to look at the variables. Has the lyrical content changed? No. Have the sounds changed? No, but it’s debatable since there is now a keyboard. Has the time changed? Yes. LFTR PLLR was active from 1994-2000, while the Hold Steady has been around since 2004. Something happened during those four years that prepared America to receive The Hold Steady. Maybe their concert at Ground Zero was actually a private salute to the events of a certain September that contributed to their acceptance. What took place exactly, I just don’t know; but I can conclude that LFTR PLLR was ahead of its time.
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