The Hold Steady is a rock and roll band. With this title come certain expectations with loud electric guitars topping the list. So what happens when the band opts to go acoustic and trade the sold out concert halls for a handful of people crowded inside an independent record store? The result is the band's latest EP, Live at Fingerprints, a live recording of an in-store performance that came in the wake of their Vagrant debut, Boys and Girls In America.
On the disc, The Hold Steady openly apologizes for any disappointment that may come, because, as a rock and roll band, they are used to playing plugged in and are not sure how the songs will translate. After repeated listens it's safe to say that the Craig Finn and the gang have nothing to be sorry about.
While the songs are not nearly as mesmerizing as they sound on record, what makes these tracks gems is the way the band has managed to rearrange the songs for a live acoustic format. One highlight of this EP is the inclusion of an unreleased track, "You Gotta Dance with Who You Came to the Dance With." The real highlight of this release is that all the keyboards are replaced by accordion, which gives the songs a fresh, new feeling without sounding too different from the originals. Finn may turn off some listeners with his gruffer than usual vocals - probably from excessive drinking the night before - but after a few listens, it's something you easily forget about.
If you are new to the band, I'd suggest picking up one of their studio albums first. For rabid fans like myself, or the occasional listener who is just in need of some new jams, I highly recommend. Even if you hate it, the low price of six dollars won't leave you feeling ripped-off.
Before you head to the local Best Buy or chain music store, hold tight. This limited EP is available only at independent music retailers so you might have to hunt for it. Luckily for me, a Newbury Comics opened up nearby a few months prior to this release, allowing me to get my hands on it.
