The Hold Steady – Teeth Dreams (Washington Square)

The Hold Steady – Teeth Dreams (Washington Square)

The production, from major-label hired gun Nick Raskulinecz, has a bit of an unhealthy gleam to it, but otherwise, Teeth Dreams is a classic Hold Steady album, a clear statement of mastery from one of the surest bets on the touring circuit. Six albums in, the Hold Steady don’t have too much new to teach us, but there’s something about the way a perfect Craig Finn lyric (“Sat in the back of the theater, just drinking and talking/ About movies and Krishna and hardcore and Jesus and joy”) will kick around in your head all day, or the way an emotive Tad Kubler solo will stab you in the heart. Forget whatever Heaven Is Whenever feelings you might’ve caught; their magic remains strong. –Tom [LISTEN]