The Hold Steady – Slapped Actress
The Hold Steady make sweaty, cock rock. As Thomas Lennon (Lt. Dangle in Reno 911) said, “If you don’t like ‘insane rock faces’ don’t stand by me at The Hold Steady tonight.”
The lyrics use religious puns to weave narratives of Christians getting high, or teenagers getting high, or just about anybody getting high. But it’s an angry, self-destructive high – a high as vicious as the guitar riffs.
These are anthems for ruined souls.
[Buy the newly released Heaven is Whenever or – if you must – purchase Stay Positive.]
Great band, but if you were just going to choose any random song you should have chosen Citrus. That perfectly illustrates your idea that they use christian metaphors to illustrate people getting high. Although, I must say just about every song on Boys and Girls in America – on any of their albums in fact – mentions the word high. Boys and Girls in America is their best I think. From the cool Chips Ahoy! to the laid back Citrus, I just love it. When he says “Lost in Fog and Love and Faithless Fear, I’ve Had Kisses That Make Judas Seem Sincere”, it sets my heart on fire. In fact, now all I want to do it listen to that song.
Nice one, Zac. Thanks for doing this, I’m sure everyone else will thank you too when they discover the stunning sound of The Hold Steady.
And they are NOT, cock rock! :p.
I prefer this song, it shows the anthemic side best. And it clearly is cock rock – music that makes me want to rawk out with my cock out.
I don’t think you know what cock rock is…!
For that matter, I don’t think I really know what it is.
Cheers, might look further into their stuff.