The Price of Progress
The Hold Steady · 2023
38 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
A vibrant tapestry of storytelling woven through pulsating rhythms and dynamic instrumentals that captures the band's signature style.
Top tracks — play these first
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Grand Junction — The opening track sets the tone for the album with a driving beat and vivid imagery, establishing thematic elements of longing and introspection.
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Carlos is Crying — This song combines a catchy melody with poignant lyrics that delve into themes of loss and nostalgia, highlighting the band's knack for storytelling.
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Sixers — With its anthemic chorus, this track encapsulates the band's energy while exploring themes of resilience and community amidst adversity.
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Distortions of Faith — This song stands out for its reflective lyrics and complex arrangements, showcasing the band's musical growth while maintaining their core narrative style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong storytelling and dynamic instrumentals but doesn't significantly redefine its genre.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a driving rhythm and layered guitars, establishing an energetic tone that persists through the first half of the album.
- Several tracks feature narrative lyrics that unfold like short stories, often shifting perspectives between characters.
- The tempo fluctuates throughout, with tracks like 'Perdido' slowing down for introspection before returning to more upbeat numbers.
- The final track closes with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of reflection after the preceding energetic sequences.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- steady mid-tempo narrative flow
- nostalgic melodies with grit
- stories that evoke vivid imagery
- for road trip soundtracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid lengthy storytelling experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The Price of Progress is The Hold Steady's seventh studio album, released in 2023, following their critically acclaimed 2019 album, Thrashing Thru the Passion. By this point in their career, the band had solidified their position as stalwarts of alternative rock, known for their narrative-driven lyrics and engaging live performances.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Gaslight Anthem· Lucero· Against Me!
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Grand Junction 3:33
- 2 Sideways Skull 4:04
- 3 Carlos is Crying 3:46
- 4 Understudies 3:56
- 5 Sixers 4:14
- 6 The Birdwatchers 4:14
- 7 City at Eleven 2:49
- 8 Perdido 3:41
- 9 Distortions of Faith 5:15
- 10 Flyover Halftime 3:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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