The Hold Steady’s fifth album, Heaven Is Whenever, sees the New York-by-way-of-Minnesota band producing another album of bar-rock songs that range from swelling rock anthems to honest tracks describing everyday characters that sound like they were plucked straight out of your hometown. Singer Craig Finn’s narratives, like the band itself, are getting older, as Finn sings about everyday people and situations, but with the wisdom of the slightly elder statesman who hangs out at the bar rather than the 22-year-old getting into trouble. Between 2008’s Stay Positive and Heaven Is Whenever, mustache-clad keyboardist Franz Nicolay left the band to pursue other avenues. Fans might miss Nicolay’s presence, but the band holds their own on the new album. – Written by DBosket
SIMILAR | The Cops, The Gaslight Anthem, The Henry Clay People, Okkervil River, The Oranges Band, Spoon, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Walking Concert