I’ve seen every Hold Steady show that’s gone off in Minneapolis, save for one of the two in the two-night stand at the Triple Rock early in 2005. I do believe last night’s was the best yet. The band on the whole was simply tighter than ever and at the top of its game, from the way it paced the 110-minute set to the sheer musicality of it. I heard a couple people complain that the sound mix was off (namely, Craig Finn’s vocals weren’t loud enough), but I didn’t notice that myself, and in fact I thought their sometimes problematic sonic makeup (piano + two loud guitars + bursting backup vocals) sounded as natural and large as ever.

They took the stage to the “Dearly beloved…” intro of “Let’s Go Crazy,” but otherwise they kept the local love fest to a minimum, with just two Twins references (it probably would’ve been more if the Yanks hadn’t manhandled them twice in a row). Craig actually talked less than he ever has, and I truly believe that’s because the band was on fire and the crowd was so into it, especially the older stuff … Certain songs, they get so scratched into your soul, indeed.

Constructive Summer / Hot Soft Light / Chips Ahoy! / Sequestered in Memphis / Yeah Sapphire / One for the Cutters / Stevie Nix / Magazines / Sweet Payne / Party Pit / Massive Nights / Two-Handed Hand Shake (new one) / Joke About Jamaica / Lord, I’m Discouraged / Your Little Hoodrat Friend / Stay Positive / Slapped Actress

ENCORE 1: Positive Jam / Stuck Between Stations / How a Resurrection Really Feels

ENCORE 2: Certain Songs

Funniest Finn line: “This song is so sad, it takes 18 strings,” as Tad Kubler pulled out his Jimmy Page double-neck Gibson before “Lord, I’m Discouraged,” a new highlight of this and probably every Hold Steady show.

Speaking of over-sized, ego-boosting classic-rawwwk instruments, did anybody see Bobby Drake actually play that Vinnie Appice-worthy giant gong behind his kit, or was that just for show? Those guys must have a very amiable road crew.

He disguised it as a goofy, single-track download with a hand-scrawled CD cover on his (fan-run) website, but make no mistake: Paul Westerberg has just released his first album in four years. Titled “49:00″ and available through Amazon (linked www.PaulWesterberg.com), it’s a real record with individual songs and full, rocking band arrangements, presumably all played by Paul. Of course, it’s no Don Was-sized production, but it actually sounds a little more refined than a lot of his Grandpaboy basement recordings. No song titles were offered, but some of the likely titles include “Everyone’s Stupid” and “Who You Gonna Marry.”

I’ll dive in and save my judgement of the album for print in my column on Fri, but suffice it to say I think it’s worth downloading, even at the steep $.89 on Amazon vs. the $.49 from the PW site. Click here for the download link.

(If you missed the previous post about the next four Replacements reissues, click here).

It was the same set list that Diamond did on Saturday — except that he added “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show” as a finale. On Sunday, he was looser, more relaxed, more animated and active, in consistently good voice. As someone put it: He was “on.” He looked like he was having a much more enjoyable time onstage. Moreover, the audience seemed more energetic — and younger, which always invigorates his performance.  

To me, Crunchy Granola Suite and Done Too Soon sound too dated. Followed by Brooklyn Roads and I Am.. I Said, they dragged down the show a bit.

Still, overall, it was a very, very good Neil Diamond show. On a 10 point scale, I’d give it a 9. Saturday’s performance was maybe a 6.

What did you think of Sunday’s concert? Please post your comment here:

Despite his new modern look, he played plenty of old things, a few new things and a few more obscure things. Here is what Neil Diamond played on the opening night of his North American tour Saturday at Xcel. Check back to see if Sunday’s set list is different.

1. Holly Holy (1969) 2. Beautiful Noise (1976) 3. Street Life (1976) 4. Love on the Rocks (1980) 5. Play Me (1972) 6. Cherry Cherry (1966) 7. Thank the Lord for the Nighttime (1967) 8. Home Before Dark (2008) 9. Don’t Go There (2008) 10. Pretty Amazing Grace (2008) 11. Crunchy Granola Suite (1972) 12. Done Too Soon (1970) 13. Brooklyn Roads (1968)14. I Am…I Said (1971) 15. Solitary Man (1970) 16. Forever in Blue Jeans (1979) 17. Sweet Caroline (w/ two reprises) (1969) 18. You Don’t Bring Me Flowers (1978) 19. Song Sung Blue (1972) 20. I’m a Believer (1966) 21. Man of God (2005) 22. Hell Yeah (2005)  ENCORE 23. Cracklin Rosie (1970) 24. America (1981)

What did you think of the show? What songs did you want to hear that you didn’t? Please post your comments here:

I’ve seen loads of Willie shows, and this was up there in the better half. The couple extra songs from “Red Headed Stranger” were a treat. So were most of the newer songs. And so was Willie’s good mood. My favorite moment was when a Willie impersonator stood down in front of the stage (braids, cutoffs and all), and the real Willie swapped headbands with him.

Look for the full review at www.startribune.com/music. Here’s the rather bulky set list:

Whiskey Stream / Still Is Still Moving / Beer For My Horses / Funny How Time Slips Away / Crazy / Night Life / Down Yonder (Sister Bobby on piano) / Me & Paul / If You’ve Got the Money / Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain / Red Headed Stranger / Time of the Preacher / Good Hearted Woman (”Here’s one for Waylon,” Willie said) / Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground / On the Road Again / Always on My Mind / Will the Circle Be Unbroken / I’ll Fly Away / I Gotta Get Over You Again / Moment of Forever / Jambalaya / Hey Good Lookin’ / Move It On Over / Till I Gain Control Again / Bloody Mary Morning / I Saw the Light / I Ain’t Superman / You Don’t Think I’m Funny Anymore / A Peaceful Solution      ENCORE: Mountain Dew

Sub Pop Records celebrated its 20th anniversary in Seattle last weekend with SP20,  a two-day shinding featuring a first-ever Vaselines reunion, Mudhoney, Wolf Parade, Iron & Wine, our very own Low and lots more. You can read the Seattle Times’ nice blog about it here: http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/festivalblog/sub-pop-20th-anniversary

Reading about the festivities got me thinking about what a storied label Sub Pop actually is. And it’s still putting out great stuff. Never mind the fact that Flight of the Conchords are now their hotest seller (I like Bret and Jemaine, but…). Here are what I consider to be Sub Pop’s 10 best albums, ranked:

1. Mudhoney, “Superfuzz Bigmuff” (deluxe edition newly issued!)

2. Nirvana, “Bleach” (some of you maybe haven’t heard of this band, but it rocks)

3. Band of Horses, “Cease to Begin” (yep!)

4. Low, “The Great Destroyer” (that’s no local favoritism)

5. “Sub Pop 200” (1988 compilation with Nirvana, Soundgargen Tad, Green River; I consider it one of my collector’s items)

6. Afghan Whigs, “Congregation”

7. Sleater-Kinney, “The Woods”

8. Sebadoh, “Bakesale”

9. Red Red Meat, “Bunny Gets Paid”

10. Beachwood Sparks, self-titled

(Honorable mentions: Rev. Horton Heat’s “Full Gospel Sounds of…;” Sunny Day Real Estate’s “How It Feels to Be Somthing On;” Murder City Devils’ “Empty Bottles Broken Hearts;” Mark Lanegan’s “Whiskey for the Holy Ghost;” Fleet Foxes’ self-titled; this year’s CD “Nouns” by No Age, who play the Triple Rock on Mon.; Michael Yonkers’ “Microminiature Love;” and nothing by the Shins)