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Stepping out solo, the energetic multi-instrumentalist--assisted by guests including Dresden Dolls' Brian Viglione--does fine when he keeps things forceful. But when Nicolay decelerates, his weaknesses (cheesy croon, misguided piano) emerge, resulting in over-earnest, loungey balladeering.
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Outside of the few moments of innovation, though, very little will strike one as all that inspired.
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In the end, the album has more good than bad, and is worth a listen for curious Hold Steady fans.
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Q MagazineIn other words, the man's a ham, but a terrific one. [Aug 2009, p.109]
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MojoMajor General plough's The Hold Steady's punk-pop narrative furrow almost to the point of surrealism. [Sep 2009, p.92]