Pitchfork

"That dude sounds a lot like Adam Duritz" has long been a message board go-to for a tidy takedown of the divisive vocal stylings of Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn.

The comparison is, of course, meant to be more unfavorable to the indie rocker in the equation than to the long-suffering Counting Crows mouthpiece. (Don't even get us started on the dude from Frightened Rabbit.-- Ed)

Sure, Duritz is an emoter, whereas Finn's more of an explainer, and Finn's got a way with the pen that ol' Adam-- and pretty much everybody else-- oughta be rather envious of. But both bands do marry American classic rock motifs with a slightly wheezy singer fond of writing beyond the margins and venting his respective spleen at his own unique cadence. And that's more connective tissue than the Crows have with their current tourmates, Maroon 5 and that Sara Bareilles person from the commercials.

So, though it will surely raise more than a few eyebrows in comments sections across the internet, the Hold Steady have signed on to open for the Crows on a trio of December dates in Europe. Hey, if Spiritualized could open for Lenny Kravitz and come out unscathed, surely we shouldn't begrudge "Mr. Jones" fans their time in the "Party Pit", eh? Besides, you know you still get a little misty when "A Long December" comes on. No need to front.

The Hold Steady currently have a few more dates in the U.S. before their plans turn to Europe through the rest of the year. Lucky Philadelphians get to see the Hold Steady AND Sonic Youth at the TLA on August 29. Oh, and the holdup plaguing the vinyl release of their recent Pitchfork-recommended Stay Positive has mercifully cleared up since our last report.
The Hold Steady:

08-12 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle %
08-13 Norfolk, VA - The Norva %
08-14 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club %
08-16 Chelmsford, England - Hylands Park (V Festival)
08-17 Staffordshire, England - Weston Park (V Festival)
08-29 Philadelphia, PA - TLA !
09-29 Oxford, England - Academy
09-30 Manchester, England - Manchester University
10-01 Glasgow, Scotland - ABC
10-02 Wolverhampton, England - Wulfrun Hall
10-04 Bristol, England - Anson Rooms
10-05 Nottingham, England - Rock City
10-06 Portsmouth, England - Pyramids
10-08 London, England - Roundhouse
10-09 Paris, France - Nouveau Casino
10-11 Hamburg, Germany - Knust
10-12 Cologne, Germany - Luxor
10-13 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg
10-15 Oslo, Norway - Rockerfeller
10-16 Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Slussen
10-17 Goteborg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers
10-19 Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega
10-20 Berlin, Germany - Columbia Club
10-21 Vienna, Austria - WUK
10-22 Munich, Germany - Ampere
12-16 Den Bosch, Netherlands - Brabanthallen *
12-20 Dublin, Ireland - The 02 *
12-21 Belfast, Northern Ireland - Odyssey Arena *

% with the Loved Ones
! with Sonic Youth
* with Counting Crows, Melee