Craig Finn, longtime frontman of The Hold Steady, is back with his sixth solo album, Always Been, marking a shift in sound and tone for the seasoned songwriter.
Produced by Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs (TWOD), Always Been carries the unmistakable fingerprints of Granduciel's sound: sweeping guitars, atmospheric textures and a road-worn sense of motion.
Several members of The War on Drugs also appear on the record, and it shows. For a shorthand description of the album, think Craig Finn’s storytelling voice set against The War on Drugs' expansive musical backdrop.
It’s a collaboration that makes sense. Finn has long been a fan of Granduciel’s and TWOD's work, and the admiration goes both ways. After years of working with producer Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman), this project marks less of a departure and more of an integration of new sounds into Finn's classic sound. The songs are more open, cinematic — even dreamlike at times — without losing Finn’s trademark lyrical weight and stories.
As the album unfolds, listeners meet a central character — a preacher wrestling with his faith and a complicated past that is hinted at but never fully explained. Finn is a master of writing characters that feel lived-in while also having an undeniable rawness and honesty. Another Finn trademark.
"Luke and Leanna" is a standout track that channels strong Springsteen vibes, pairing an anthemic, driving beat with lyrics that follow a couple teetering on the edge — Leanna is considering an affair with a coworker using uptempo music that dances with heavy, real-life emotions.
Both Finn and The War on Drugs have drawn frequent comparisons to Bruce Springsteen over the years — and with good reason. But Finn’s voice is distinctly his own, especially when it comes to place. Though he’s lived in New York City for years, Minnesota still pulses through his writing. Tracks like "Fletchers" and "Shamrock" are set in Minneapolis, a city Finn calls "near and dear to his heart."
Always Been spotlights Finn's familiar voice, taking new risks and telling timeless stories in bold new ways.
Must listens
- "Bethany"
- "People of Substance"
- "Crumbs"
- "Luke and Leanna"
- "Fletcher's"
- "A Man Needs a Vocation"
- "Postcards"
- "Shamrock"
