The Hold Steady Entertainment Art Sound House of Blues Chicago, Ill. January 1, 2007

In all fairness, The Hold Steady, known for its narrative songs about bar flies and back alleys, had played a New Year's Eve show, so singer Craig Finn's voice must have been pummeled. But the HOB's system made it seem like he was phoning in the lyrics – through a tin can and a string.

But instead of getting frustrated, the band members flourished. Finn forced his calloused vocal cords to work harder, belting out the lyrics with unbridled energy (and often, a little spit). His bandmates followed in step and blew through the sound troubles and demanding the crowd come with them.

No band exists that can top The Hold Steady for on-stage enjoyment and energy, never mind Finn's attention-demanding stage presence and his Tom Waits-ian monologues about watching COPS and taking ecstasy. Bassist Galen Polivka shared dollar bills and cigarettes with the crowd. Guitarist Tad Kubler, who hails from Wisconsin, ripped the Bears for their loss against the Packers the night before. And keyboard player Franz Nicolay, clad in cartoon-villain mustache, struck poses as his hands slithered across the keys.

But these weren't just entertainers; they know how to play music. The Hold Steady's latest release, "Boys and Girls in America," landed near or at the top of several best-of 2006 lists for good reason. It's great from track one to track 11. The five some brought that album's strengths to the stage, kicking off with the bouncing "Stuck Between Stations" and never letting up. Polivka's rhythms coupled with Bobby Drake's drumming to give a gritty funk to the Southern-bar sing-along "Southtown Girls" and a relentless drive to upbeat rockers like "Chips Ahoy!" Nicolay added flourishes to the fun songs and cast tenderness over the sad ones, like "First Night," a soft, slow jazz-bar vagrant thrown out to wander the streets, wondering what happened to love and youth.

Every song featured hooks and choruses that are anthemic at best and memorable at worst, with the occasional "whoa-oh-oh-oohs" thrown in. If Finn didn't have his nasal, creaky-boat voice, they'd be too perfect, that shirt you're afraid to wear because you'll ruin it. As is, they're your favorite corduroy coat with the patch on the pocket and stain on the right cuff.

They closed the show with the older "Killer Parties," which might have described the state of the band - and not just because of New Year's. The slow explosion of the song's end is exactly what's happening to The Hold Steady. It's a band on the brink, and watching the guys' little-kid grins, they know they're leaving behind dingy bars, St. Paul malls, and – hopefully - crappy sound work.

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