The Hold Steady Unveil New Song ‘I Hope This Whole Thing Didn’t Frighten You’

Last week, the Hold Steady announced the March 25 release of a new album called ‘Teeth Dreams’ through their own Positive Jams imprint via new label Washington Square. Today, the Brooklyn-based quintet has debuted ‘I Hope This Whole Thing Didn’t Frighten You,’ the first track from the forthcoming album.

The new song features the Hold Steady’s trademark blend of ‘70s-hard-rock-tinged guitars and vocalist Craig Finn’s talk/sing vocal style, but Nick Raskulinecz’s (Foo Fighters, Rush) atmospheric production lends the track an almost melancholic tone. ‘Teeth Dreams’ marks the album debut of new guitarist Steve Selvidge, and if ‘I Hope…’ is any indication of what the rest of the record will bring, the guitar team of Selvidge and founding member Tad Kubler is going to be serving up a riff feast worthy of vintage Thin Lizzy.

The Hold Steady kick off a string of tour dates in January 2014 that will include two 10th Anniversary shows (tour dates here). The band will also release a covers EP entitled 'RAGS' direct to fans this month via Pledge Music to benefit the K + L Guardian Foundation in honor of devoted fan and concert promoter Mike "Jersey Mike" Van Jura, who passed away in late 2012.