‘One hell of a party’: readers on their albums of 2021 so far
From the sunny vibes of rapper Topaz Jones and guitar anthems of Du Blonde to the deep introspection of Fears and Julien Baker, here are the records that have really grabbed our readers over the last six months
February 2021
The Hold Steady: Open Door Policy review – Springsteen-isms welcome
The Brooklyn-based rockers add a splash of brass to their everyman stylings on this lyrical eighth album
March 2020
'I should have grown out of this': how pop fandom shaped us
As Pete Paphides publishes a memoir of his life in pop, our writers reflect on the childhood musical loves that made them
August 2019
The Hold Steady: Thrashing Thru the Passion review – chancers and chasers in fist-punching glory
Craig Finn’s barstool-rock raconteurs paint a portrait of booze-soaked Americana with their most enthralling record in years
December 2017
My pop highlight of 2017, by Rag’n’Bone Man, Charli XCX and more
From Craig David’s intergenerational Glastonbury success to Tim Jonze’s run-in with Marc Almond, pop stars and Guardian music writers pick their musical memories of the year
March 2017
Craig Finn: We All Want the Same Things review – master storyteller gets personal
September 2015
Music blog
Craig Finn's guide to the best ever sports music
He’s a dedicated fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the Minneapolis Twins – and he’s just released his second solo album, Faith in the Future. Here are Craig Finn’s favourite ever sports-related records …
March 2014
Music blog
The Hold Steady: watch the video for Spinners
Teeth Dreams review – 'the big record they've been threatening to make'
The Hold Steady: Teeth Dreams review – 'Richer, more expansive, with every listen'
Music blog
The Hold Steady – a band whose relationship with their fans defines them
November 2012
Music blog
The Rolling Stones can't be all cynical – they've long promoted other bands
Michael Hann: Tempted to view the Stones bringing Florence Welch onstage as cheap credibility chasing? Their history suggests otherwise
March 2012
The Felice Brothers/Craig Finn – review
30 minutes with …
48 minutes with … Craig Finn
February 2012
Old music
Old music: Lifter Puller – Space Humping $19.99
Michael Hann: Before the Hold Steady, Craig Finn was already mythologising the underbelly of Minneapolis – minus the classic rock riffs
January 2012
Craig Finn: Clear Heart Full Eyes – review
Craig Finn: Clear Heart Full Eyes – review
October 2011
The Faith and Void: the glorious Dischord of 1980s harDCore punk
Washington DC was fertile ground for hardcore punk in the 1980s, with Dischord records its main outlet. Craig Finn celebrates the still-vital Faith/Void split LP
March 2011
Hail, hail, rock'n'roll
Hail, Hail, Rock'n'roll
Michael Hann
Musicians don't have to open up their lives or invite someone on to the tour bus to give someone that joy, that feeling of being part of something bigger
May 2010
In the wake of Heavenly's Space Manatee
Few people noticed when Heavenly's drummer, Mathew Fletcher, killed himself. But, says the Hold Steady's Craig Finn, it is through barely known stories such as his that the bonds betweeen fans and music can be most clearly understood
