News: Franz Nicolay leaves the Hold Steady

Franz Nicolay has posted this message on his official website:

"You should know: I've left The Hold Steady. I told the band I'd be leaving in early September, played my last show with them in Minneapolis around Thanksgiving, and dotted the t's and crossed the i's this week. Five years seemed like a nice round number. Thanks to everyone who was a part of the experience, especially the Unified Scene, who are nice folks. I'll see you all soon in any case."

Where that leaves the next record, God knows, but the Hold Steady is not over. They'll still carry on, and probably find a replacement for live shows anyway, while Nicolay can focus on his own solo career.

Watch Franz Nicolay's own 'Jeff Penalty':

Watch: Franz Nicolay - Goddamn Lonely Love

Hold Steadyer plays Drive-By Truckers song originally written by Jason Isbell? What could be better? Oh it's on banjo. Amazing. I need say no more...

Yesterday I listened to... #1

New feature time. I'm fascinated by a topic called "Today I listened to" on a message board I use, so I thought I'd let you guys know what I'm listening to. Abuse my ears if you like, or chime in with a "Hey great album, I must listen to it". It all helps. I love the comments. So add as many as you can.

Also, check out Red for something similar:
http://theredscrapbook.blogspot.com/


Franz Ferdinand - Tonight Franz Ferdinand


Franz Nicolay - Major General


The White Stripes - White Blood Cells


The Whitlams - Torch the Moon

Yesterday I was in an alphabetic kind of mood. Starting off with the new Franz Ferdinand record, which gets better with each listen. It's still not a patch on their debut. Probably as good as the second one though. And 'Ulysses' has some wonderful lyrics.

This led perfectly into Franz Nicolay's debut record. The moustachioed keyboard player in the Hold Steady has gone solo and made a glorious record that so far is one of the best of the year. Opener 'Jeff Penalty' is as good as anything the Hold Steady have done, but the album as a whole sounds nothing like its parent band. It's kind of like a mix between The Mountain Goats, Gaslight Anthem and the Silver Jews.

I wanted to go old school next, and thus chose the White Stripes breakthrough. It's not as good as I used to think. or did I ever really love it? For me, Get Behind Me Satan is their best work. Maybe I should've listened to that instead.

Going to bed, I wanted something light, and Australia's Whitlams served that up perfectly. They're light pop-rock, but no Matchbox Twenty. But for me, their finest moment will forever be covering Divine Comedy's stellar 'Your Daddy's Car'. Unfortunately, there's no video on YouTube for the track. If anyone can point me to it, I'd be extremely grateful.

Album News: Franz Nicolay - Major General

That's right, not Franz Ferdinand, but Franz Nicolay of The Hold Steady is set to release an album in 2009. He' best known for his moustache, but equally known for busting out some sweet, sweet jams.

The album will be called Major General, is produced by THS produced James Frazee, and is set to drop on January 13th, 2009

Major General:
01 Jeff Penalty [ft. Demander]
02 Hey Dad!
03 World/Inferno Vs. The End of the Evening
04 Dead Sailors
05 Do We Not Live in Dreams?
06 Confessions of an Ineffective Casanova
07 Note on a Subway Wall
08 Quiet Where I Lie
09 Nightratsong
10 X-Games
11 This World Is an Open Door
12 Cease-Fire, or, Mrs. Norman Maine
13 I'm Done Singing