Teeth Dreams CD

On their last album, 2010's Heaven Is Whenever, the Hold Steady felt like a band in a state of transition as they found their footing after parting ways with Franz Nicolay.  On Teeth Dreams, it feels as though the Brooklyn band have spent the intervening time finding their way, returning with a refreshed sound for their sixth album.  Added to the ranks is former Lucero guitarist Steve Selvidge, who joined up with the band as a touring guitarist before eventually settling in as a full-fledged member.  The interplay between Selvidge and Tad Kubler adds an interesting new dimension to the Hold Steady's, with Memphis-style Southern rock colliding with Midwestern guitar heroics to create a beautiful blend of plaintiveness and drive.  Musically, the album feels like the more rockin' sibling to singer Craig Finn's solo album, Clear Heart Full Eyes - where the verbose vocalist explored a looser, country-inspired vibe - than a follow-up to their wintry fifth album.  With two guitarists in play,