The Hold Steady Live: Acoustic and at full throttle

WOULD you like to hear the best rock band on the planet playing acoustic for free? Then you are in the right place.
This is another great podcast featuring The Hold Steady, this time from Chicago Public Radio's briliant Sound Opinions programme and what an archive it has. Please look at its offerings here.
The highlights of the show below see lyricist Craig Finn discuss his literary influences, what it's like to sing Rosalita on stage with Springsteen, why Joe Strummer's musical knowledge was encyclopaedic as well as Finn, guitarist Tad Kubler and pianist Franz Nicolay playing two songs acoustic.
I shudder to say this, but: enjoy.

Lyrical Influences

Springsteen, Dylan and Joe Strummer

Magazines & Daddy Issues (acoustic)

One for the Cutters (acoustic)

And go here to see the band playing well tight and loud for Yahoo's The New Now portal.

NO band has captured the imagination of GM in recent years as much as The Hold Steady.
Lead singer Craig Finn is the best lyricist working in rock.
We have already argued that their third record Boys and Girls in America was the long player of 2007 and they could be shaping up to be the band of the decade for us.
They are brilliant because they reflect the joyousness of watching Springsteen and the E Street - they are the sight and sound of a tight, loud guitar/ bass/ piano/ drums band peopled by musicians smiling and obviously loving what they are doing. That is an all too rare an example of the great rock journalism cliché in these days of irony and cleverness, a joyous, easy thing to behold.
Take the shoes off, clear a space around you and pogo like an eejit.
Although this isn't from it, check out the brilliant aol music showcase spinner.com for a fantastic five song live set and interview with Craig and guitarist Tad Kubler and Franz Nicolay.
This is just a great music promo. Hey, enjoy.