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The Springsteen connection has dogged The Hold Steady since their mid-noughties inception. It could be a lot worse, of course, but such pigeon-holing leaves little room for growth. To that end, the band’s frontman Craig Finn took it upon himself to use a four-month break to record a solo collection of songs that were ‘quieter’ and ‘more narrative’ than his band’s usual fare. In truth, these tunes aren’t that different, particularly given that their acoustic skeletons have been fleshed out by a host of other musicians. True, there’s a little less beefy rock and a lot more slide guitar – used swoonsomely on ‘Not Much Left of Us’ – than you’d normally find Finn’s stuffed-up vocals crooning over, and welcome elements of rowdy country music on ‘New Friend Jesus’ and ‘Terrified Eyes’. Overall, though, Clear Eyes Full Heart is an album that keeps things moving, but is never memorable enough to stop you in your tracks. Lauren Murphy
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KEY TRACKS: ‘WHEN NO ONE’S WATCHING’, ‘NOT MUCH LEFT OF US’.
FOR FANS OF: JESSE MALIN, TOM PETTY.
