Book description
An oral history (with photographs) of the greatest American bar band of the twenty-first century"A colorful montage of stories about and photographs of American rock band The Hold Steady, by both members of the group as well as dedicated fans . . . A must-have for admirers of the band and a good choice to fans of bar rock." --Kirkus Reviews"Plenty of rock bands treat their fans like congregants. But not many shine a light on the arrangement. Fewer still go as far as The Hold Steady, whose lead vocalist and lyricist, Craig Finn, has a disarming way of combining humility and exultation." --New York TimesOn January 22, 2003, four men stepped onto a stage in Brooklyn and did something no one else was doing at that time, in that place. They played rock 'n' roll: old-fashioned rock 'n' roll with skyscraping riffs and sloppy solos, topped with extraordinary lyrics about an out-of-focus America, blurred by pills and powders, of crime and fear and desperation and redemption.Twenty years later, The Hold Steady are one of America's most beloved rock bands, famed for live shows that turn unbelievers into converts, and for a catalog filled with some of the most exciting yet poetic music of the twenty-first century. To mark those twenty years, The Hold Steady tell their full story in The Gospel of The Hold Steady: How a Resurrection Really Feels.An oral history, based on interviews with everyone who has played in the band, and those who have worked with them over the course of their career, The Gospel of the Hold Steady addresses all the triumphs and setbacks of The Hold Steady's career in the band's own words--from high times to near deaths, from the brink of splitting to their current renaissance. The volume also includes over 200 photographs and images.The Gospel of The Hold Steady is completed by essays about America's greatest bar band by writers Rob Sheffield, Laura Barton, Isaac Fitzgerald, and Michael Hann, as well as the thoughts and memories of "The Unified Scene"--the fans who have helped define the band's identity over the years. This is a book for everyone who loves The Hold Steady, and anyone who understands that the magic of rock 'n' roll happens on a stage in a small room, with voices raised from the crowd.
Renegade Slugger
I used to struggle to find time for books β now, I listen while doing chores! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Iron Butterfly
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Midnight Rider
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier β this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. π§ποΈ ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Lucky Aurora
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal β unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. π₯ Spicing up my routine with this app β it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! β¨π The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Bowie
I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic β what a win! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook!
ByteBard
I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
SunnySnap
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer.
Bruh
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now β all thanks to this app. Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off β no more searching for my spot! Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Nice Gnome
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience.
Baby Spell
Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ± Iβve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Dewdrop Doll
Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read.
Daffy Girl
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable.
Pixy Mox
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. βοΈ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! π§Ήπ° I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Toxic-oxide
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use.
Cumulo
This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise.
Twix Bond
I can't imagine my life without this app β it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Sneaky Lady
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Audiobook pleasure without the fuss β this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content.
Mr. 44
I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising β thanks to this app! Audiobooks have never been this immersive β this app transports me to different worlds. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again.
Bourbon Mirage
βοΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. πΆπ Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. π±π This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Irish Dze
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences β a thoughtful feature. Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience