A Positive Rage
The Hold Steady · 2009
120 min · 42 tracks · alternative rock
A raucous blend of storytelling and guitar-driven energy capturing the essence of live rock performances.
Top tracks — play these first
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Stuck Between Stations — This track features a compelling narrative about youthful disillusionment, emblematic of the band's lyrical style and energy.
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Chips Ahoy — With its catchy hooks and vivid storytelling, this song encapsulates the band's ability to blend rock with relatable experiences.
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Killer Parties — As a fan favorite, this track showcases the band's knack for anthemic choruses and celebratory themes that resonate at live shows.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
A Positive Rage captures The Hold Steady's live energy but lacks the tight cohesion of a studio album.
What we noticed
- Tracks are interspersed with brief interviews and commentary, providing context and enhancing the live experience.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- cathartic live show energy
- dynamic journey with peaks
- engaging storytelling throughout
- sing-along anthems for gatherings
- wave-like pacing for attention
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike lengthy album experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- A Positive Rage is The Hold Steady's first live album, released after the critical success of their studio album Boys and Girls in America (2006). The band was solidifying its reputation as a premier live act, showcasing their high-energy performances that had garnered a dedicated following. This release serves as a testament to their impact on the indie rock scene during this period.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Gaslight Anthem· Lucero· Against Me!
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Intro 0:22
- 2 Stuck Between Stations 3:59
- 3 The Swish 4:08
- 4 Chips Ahoy 3:20
- 5 Massive Nights 2:54
- 6 Ask Her For Adderall 2:58
- 7 Barfruit Blues 3:36
- 8 Same Kooks 3:02
- 9 You Gotta Dance (With Who You Came With) 2:25
- 10 Lord, I'm Discouraged 5:29
- 11 You Can Make Him Like You 3:08
- 12 Your Little Hoodrat Friend 5:25
- 13 Southtown Girls 5:53
- 14 Citrus 2:56
- 15 First Night 5:24
- 16 Girls Like Status 4:11
- 17 Killer Parties 10:40
Disc 2
- 1 Open 1:35
- 2 Borderline Pre-Show 2:21
- 3 Borderline 2:49
- 4 Interview 3:15
- 5 Borderline Night 2 3:20
- 6 Back In The U.S.A. 1:10
- 7 Emo's 1:09
- 8 The Show Begins 1:06
- 9 The Best Stocking Stuffer 1:46
- 10 Tuscon 2:19
- 11 Record Shop 1:52
- 12 Save Your Soul 2:04
- 13 San Diego 2:13
- 14 San Francisco 1:18
- 15 Chips Ahoy 5:55
- 16 Back Home 1:08
- 17 Minneapolis Music 1:07
- 18 First Ave. 1:36
- 19 Bobby's Parents 0:50
- 20 First Ave. Crowd 1:15
- 21 Waiting To Go On 0:39
- 22 Show Begins 4:43
- 23 A Positive Rage 2:13
- 24 Killer Parties 1:42
- 25 Credits 0:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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