The Hold Steady, Stay Positive

Official Release Date: July 15

The Verdict: Countless Memorial Day barbecues were doubtlessly improved by the surprise peer-to-peer release of the Hold Steady's fourth album last Thursday night. What's it sound like? Pretty much exactly like their last three (i.e., terrific with a drink or five). There are some Cars-y keyboards on "Navy Sheets" and a harpsichord on the baroque-ish "One for the Cutters," and, if you listen carefully, you can almost hear Craig Finn actually singing on a few tracks — but, for the most part, it's just the same beery guitar riffs and mumbled poetry, likely to disappoint no one.