Having shed the piano man, The Hold Steady release 'Heaven Is Whenever' as a band who sound confident and happy at what they do and know they do it damn well.

 
Starting off with some nice slide guitar as we sort of get eased into the album with 'The Sweet Part Of The City', The Hold Steady play a ragged brand of what the labellers call Americana and always have a decent story to tell amid some pretty decent guitar work. Track two doesn't disappoint, with a fuzzy Replacements sound 'Soft In The Center' gives a warm engaging feel to The Hold Steady and, as the album plays on, you can't help but enjoy the ride with a band who are getting stronger with each release.

Some great riffs and hooks and a bunch of songs that might not all be instant but grow with each play. Tracks like 'Smidge' have a 'Tattoo You' era Stones fell about them but with a bit more in-your-face fret work. 'Barely Breathing' changes the pace with a jerking musical background that includes a horn section honking away in the background that lets the story be told - remember kids, nobody wins at violent shows!

The Hold Steady tell tales of ordinary folk living their lives, listening to rock 'n' roll records and just getting by, but manage to make it sound extraordinary in an uplifting way. It doesn't often veer far from a hard rocking version of Springsteen or some alternative American rock like the aforementioned Replacements but that's the deal folks - it's only rock 'n' roll and I like it.

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