It’s hard to believe that The Hold Steady is twenty years old as a band. Though as tough as that is to believe their sound has steadied over the years and their sound has become home for many of their fans. With a new album The Price of Progress coming on March 31, their new single “Understudies”  proves the band still has it. Stream it here before preordering your own copy.

The song approaches slowly. The vocals are out front and ready to do damage. The vocals appear with almost no music only to be surrounded by it. That sound is epic and of the band’s making. The swing pace of the track gives it reverence. The strength of the words makes it much more serious but worthy of your ears. It’s definite and easy to rely on even when the band mixes things up.

“Understudies” can be heard above or wherever you stream music. The Price of Progress can be preordered from the band here before it drops on March 31. The Hold Steady is on tour starting at Mississippi Nights and Revolution Hall in Portland, OR from April 27-April 29 until July 02 at The Empty Bottle in Chicago, IL. Their tour can be found here.

Image Credits: Photo by Shervin Lainez.