The List of The Hold Steady Albums in Order of Release Date

All The Hold Steady Albums Available on:  Apple Music 

Also See: Superchunk Albums in Order

How many albums does The Hold Steady have?

The Hold Steady have nine studio albums, spanning from Almost Killed Me (2004) to The Price of Progress (2023). Their discography showcases steady artistic growth, blending storytelling, energetic rock, and critical acclaim.

The List of  The Hold Steady Albums in Order of Release Date

Here is the list of The Hold Steady Album in Order of Release Date:

1. Almost Killed Me — March 16, 2004
2. Separation Sunday — May 3, 2005
3. Boys and Girls in America — October 3, 2006
4. Stay Positive — 15 July 2008
5. Heaven Is Whenever — May 4, 2010
6. Teeth Dreams — March 25, 2014
7. Thrashing Thru the Passion — August 16, 2019
8. Open Door Policy — February 19, 2021
9. The Price of Progress — March 31, 2023

All The Hold Steady Albums List in Order

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1. Almost Killed Me (2004)

Tracks:

1. Positive Jam
2. The Swish
3. Barfruit Blues
4. Most People Are DJs
5. Certain Songs
6. Knuckles
7. Hostile, Mass.
8. Sketchy Metal
9. Sweet Payne
10. Killer Parties

Almost Killed Me is the dynamic debut album by Brooklyn rock band The Hold Steady, released on March 16, 2004, through Frenchkiss Records. Celebrated as a concept-driven record, it introduces recurring characters like Hallelujah and Charlemagne while exploring themes of wild parties, close calls, and personal chaos. These story elements continued into their next album, Separation Sunday, strengthening the band’s narrative style. Ranked number 99 on Rolling Stone’s “100 Best Albums of the Decade,” the album features energetic tracks, vivid storytelling, and early guest appearances from Franz Nicolay and Peter Hess, marking a strong start to The Hold Steady’s impactful career.

2. Separation Sunday (2005)

Tracks:

1. Hornets! Hornets!
2. Cattle and the Creeping Things
3. Your Little Hoodrat Friend
4. Banging Camp
5. Charlemagne in Sweatpants
6. Stevie Nix
7. Multitude of Casualties
8. Don’t Let Me Explode
9. Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night
10. Crucifixion Cruise
11. How a Resurrection Really Feels

Separation Sunday is the acclaimed second studio album by The Hold Steady, released on May 3, 2005 through Frenchkiss Records. Produced by Dean Baltulonis and Dave Gardner, the album marks a transitional moment for the band, featuring both outgoing drummer Judd Counsell and new member Bobby Drake, as well as the full-time addition of keyboardist Franz Nicolay. A gripping concept album, it follows the intertwined stories of characters like Holly, Charlemagne, and Gideon, told through Craig Finn’s vivid, Bible-tinged storytelling. Blending classic rock energy with unconventional song structures, Separation Sunday earned widespread critical praise and solidified the band’s reputation for bold, narrative-driven indie rock.

3. Boys and Girls in America (2006)

Tracks:

1. Stuck Between Stations
2. Chips Ahoy!
3. Hot Soft Light
4. Same Kooks
5. First Night
6. Party Pit
7. You Can Make Him Like You
8. Massive Nights
9. Citrus
10. Chillout Tent
11. Southtown Girls

Boys and Girls in America is the acclaimed third studio album by The Hold Steady, released on October 3, 2006 through Vagrant Records. Produced by John Agnello, the album showcases the band’s energetic blend of storytelling rock, highlighted by standout singles like “Chips Ahoy!” and “Stuck Between Stations.” Known for its vivid characters and emotional depth, the record features guest vocals from Dave Pirner and Elizabeth Elmore, adding richness to its anthemic sound. Widely praised by critics, it earned high rankings on year-end lists and helped solidify The Hold Steady as one of indie rock’s most compelling narrative-driven bands.

4. Stay Positive (2008)

Tracks:

1. Constructive Summer
2. Sequestered in Memphis
3. One for the Cutters
4. Navy Sheets
5. Lord, I’m Discouraged
6. Yeah Sapphire
7. Both Crosses
8. Stay Positive
9. Magazines
10. Joke About Jamaica
11. Slapped Actress

Stay Positive is the fourth studio album by The Hold Steady, released on July 15, 2008 through Vagrant Records. Written during a period of reflection, the album explores growing older while holding onto youthful ideals, with Craig Finn’s storytelling capturing characters facing more adult challenges. Musically, it blends the band’s energetic rock roots with a more refined, nuanced sound praised by keyboardist Franz Nicolay. Featuring standout tracks like “Sequestered in Memphis” and “Constructive Summer,” the album earned strong chart positions in both the US and UK, received widespread critical acclaim, and remains a fan-favorite milestone in the band’s catalog.

5. Heaven Is Whenever (2010)

Tracks:

1. The Sweet Part of the City
2. Soft in the Center
3. The Weekenders
4. The Smidge
5. Rock Problems
6. We Can Get Together
7. Hurricane J
8. Barely Breathing
9. Our Whole Lives
10. A Slight Discomfort

Heaven Is Whenever is the fifth studio album by The Hold Steady, released on May 4, 2010, through Vagrant Records. Featuring the standout single “Hurricane J,” the album highlights the band’s shift toward a more spacious, guitar-driven sound following the departure of keyboardist Franz Nicolay. Written during extensive touring, the record explores themes of struggle, resilience, and aging gracefully, with Craig Finn’s lyrics offering a wiser, more reflective tone. Debuting at #26 on the Billboard 200, it became the band’s highest-charting release, praised for its anthemic choruses, cinematic influences, and renewed sense of creative freedom.

6. Teeth Dreams (2014)

Tracks:

1. I Hope This Whole Thing Didn’t Frighten You
2. Spinners
3. The Only Thing
4. The Ambassador
5. On with the Business
6. Big Cig
7. Wait a While
8. Runner’s High
9. Almost Everything
10. Oaks

Teeth Dreams is the sixth studio album by American indie rock band The Hold Steady, released on March 25, 2014. Produced by Nick Raskulinecz, the album marks the debut of guitarist Steve Selvidge, whose addition brings a fuller, more guitar-driven sound. Written after a brief hiatus, the record explores themes of anxiety, storytelling, and emotional tension, highlighted by standout tracks like “I Hope This Whole Thing Didn’t Frighten You” and the cinematic nine-minute closer “Oaks.” Praised for its powerful guitars and vivid narratives, Teeth Dreams showcases a refreshed band leaning into bigger, bolder rock energy while staying true to their gritty lyrical style.

7. Thrashing Thru the Passion (2019)

Tracks:

1. Denver Haircut
2. Epaulets
3. You Did Good Kid
4. Traditional Village
5. Blackout Sam
6. Entitlement Crew
7. T-Shirt Tux
8. Star 18
9. The Stove & the Toaster
10. Confusion in the Marketplace

Thrashing Thru the Passion is the seventh studio album by American indie rock band The Hold Steady, released on August 16, 2019, via Frenchkiss Records. Produced by Josh Kaufman, the album marks the celebrated return of keyboardist Franz Nicolay, bringing renewed energy to the band’s sound. Praised by critics as a lively return to form, the record blends vibrant storytelling with looser, more carefree arrangements. With standout tracks like “Denver Haircut” and “Blackout Sam,” the album delivers a fun, spirited mix of rock riffs and heartfelt narratives, reaffirming The Hold Steady’s strength as a dynamic, enduring indie rock force.

8. Open Door Policy (2021)

Tracks:

1. The Feelers
2. Spices
3. Lanyards
4. Family Farm
5. Unpleasant Breakfast
6. Heavy Covenant
7. The Prior Procedure
8. Riptown
9. Me & Magdalena
10. Hanover Camera
11. Parade Days

Open Door Policy, the Hold Steady’s eighth studio album, arrived on February 19, 2021 through their own label, Positive Jams. Produced by longtime collaborator Josh Kaufman, the album showcases the band’s most expansive and cohesive sound yet, exploring themes of power, mental health, technology, and survival. Preceded by the singles “Family Farm,” “Heavy Covenant,” and “Spices,” it earned widespread critical acclaim and strong chart debuts, including No. 6 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales. Featuring contributions from Stuart Bogie, Cassandra Jenkins, and Matt Barrick, the album blends storytelling, rich instrumentation, and emotional depth, highlighting the Hold Steady at their creative peak.

9. The Price of Progress (2023)

Tracks:

1. Grand Junction
2. Sideways Skull
3. Carlos Is Crying
4. Understudies
5. Sixers
6. The Birdwatchers
7. City at Eleven
8. Perdido
9. Distortions of Faith
10. Flyover Halftime

The Price of Progress is the ninth studio album by The Hold Steady, released on March 31, 2023, through Positive Jams and Thirty Tigers. Produced by longtime collaborator Josh Kaufman, the record builds on the band’s signature mix of energetic rock and vivid storytelling. Led by singles like “Sideways Skull,” “Sixers,” and “Understudies,” the album explores themes of modern survival, technology, and late-stage capitalism through Craig Finn’s sharp, character-driven lyrics. Praised for its cinematic sound and emotional depth, The Price of Progress earned strong reviews, highlighting its thoughtful narratives and the band’s continued evolution.

Conclusion:

Exploring The Hold Steady Albums in Order highlights the band’s remarkable evolution from gritty bar-rock storytellers to one of indie rock’s most compelling narrative voices. Their discography reflects changing lineups, bold creative shifts, and a deepening commitment to lyrical detail, carrying listeners from the raw energy of Almost Killed Me to the mature, reflective tones of The Price of Progress. Together, these albums showcase Craig Finn’s signature storytelling, powerful instrumentation, and the band’s enduring ability to capture emotional depth. For fans and new listeners alike, The Hold Steady Albums in Order offers a rich journey through modern American rock.

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