Michael Hann

A long and detailed book about a band with a complex story -- a perfect match.

I love all of the very short stories in chapter 12 from people in "the scene" as they describe how the band has touched them. The photographs are sharp and well-chosen (which not every book about a band can say!). I wish there was more about Finn's early time in the Twin Cities and at Boston College, but I suppose the real subject is The Hold Steady so it's a small quibble.

This will be enjoyed by fans of the band, and also people who were into music during those years.… (meer)

A coffee table book about American rock band The Hold Steady? Why not. This oral history about the band originally from Minneapolis is not so much about the music as it is about the personal history of the band members and their various struggles. Voices of the fans are interspersed so we don't miss What This Band Means to Them. Beautifully printed, members of the nation of fans known as the "Unified Scene" will find this a worthwhile addition to their music shelves. The photographs are beautiful, but since the book has no captions, the reader doesn't know who they are looking at (or where or when). An odd omission for such an otherwise meticulous production. Rock on!… (meer)