Recommended for Springsteen fans

I really like High Fidelity. For a music reviewer, it’s nearly mandatory. Not only is it one of the best novels ever written about being in a relationship, but it also accurately portrays what it’s like to be a record store junky. While it might be embarrassing to admit, I often ask myself, “What would Rob Gordon think of this album?” Most albums that I like would more than likely get put in Rob’s art-school rubbish bin.

I can listen contently to The Hold Steady’s newest, however, with the warm feeling that Rob would approve with a nod and smile. With Boys & Girls in America, they seem to be quickly becoming the closest thing to The Boss to come around for a long time. And I can only agree with most critics that it’s about time a band pulled off this kind of music with so much success.

This is an album almost everyone can enjoy. Catchy hooks and refrains pop up in every song. An appropriate mix of ballads and up-tempo rock songs makes for an incredibly smooth listen. The most important aspect is the lyrical connection to the listener, though. That connection was something that Springsteen made an art form, and Hold Steady vocalist Craig Finn appears to have the same gift.

Take the album opener “Stuck between Stations.” Over a simple combination of piano and power chords, Finn sings “There are times when I think Sal Paradise was right - boys and girls in America have such a sad time together.” Finn quickly establishes that the album title was lifted from Jack Kerouac’s classic novel On the Road, where he goes by the pseudonym Sal Paradise. Later in the song he seems to make a reference to himself - “He was drunk and exhausted but he was critically acclaimed and respected.” The Hold Steady are famous, or infamous, for bringing a case of beer to nearly all of their shows.

The album loses no momentum moving into the second track, “Chips Ahoy.” It tells the story of a girlfriend who can easily win at the horse track, but who seems incapable of having a good time. “Came in six lengths ahead, we spent the whole next week getting high. I love this girl, but I can’t tell if she’s having a good time.” Along with Finn’s always great vocals the song is incredibly catchy, which made it an obvious choice as the album’s first single.

A lot of critics are professing that Boys & Girls is an instant classic, and I agree with some reservation. While it is great, it does have a few faults. The album does lose some steam near the end. “Massive Nights” and “Citrus” don’t quite catch fire the way the rest of the songs do, and since the two fall next to each other on track list, it lulls the huge momentum gained through the first part of the album. Also, some listeners might be turned off by a fairly high degree of cheese.

If you’re a Bruce Springsteen fan, I would highly recommend this album. Finn’s vocal style will probably be perfect for you, and The Hold Steady’s music will feel familiar. Boys & Girls in America is one of the best albums I’ve heard this year, and it’s very exciting to get something so void of pretension.