The Hold Steady
Stay Positive
Vagrant

The Hold Steady is a self-made band, building an audience musical brick-by-brick while tapping into the ’70s rock of Bruce Springsteen and Thin Lizzy and adding distinctive touches in the drug-drink-party spoken-rather-than-sung narratives of frontman Craig Finn. Following critical kudos for the albums Almost Killed Me and Separation Sunday, the group broke out nationally (well, somewhat) with 2006’s Boys & Girls in America, and now ups the ante again with Stay Positive, its most fully realized release so far.

The power chord-fueled “Constructive Summer” toasting “St. Joe Strummer” who “might have been our only decent teacher” is followed by the horn-punctuated “Sequestered in Memphis,” a killer one-two punch of an opening. Though never lo-fi types, the band pumps up production values and the guitars seem louder, the keyboards — swathing organ and lyrical piano — more vivid in look, and Finn is even singing a little too. Genteel harpsicord leads off “One for the Cutters” with mandolin flourishes in “Both Crosses.”

Finn’s hood rats and local girls are getting older — welcome to mortgages and the working week, unless there are police troubles and a jail detour. The band makes a power ballad bid with “Lord I’m Discouraged,” which may just be a bit too much, though the title track and “Slapped Actress” are gems, with the confessional line from the band in the latter song: “Some nights it’s just entertainment, and some other nights it’s work.”

A Limited edition package (50,000 copies), which may well be gone now (though there’s always eBay, right?) features three bonus tracks: “Ask Her for Adderall,” “Cheyenne Sunrise,” and “Two-Handed Handshake.” Despite some flaws, Stay Positive is one of the year’s best albums so far, so grab on and Hold Steady now for one heckuva ride.