The quintet that is The Hold Steady has been steadily rising above the radar through its nationwide shows and bolstering its fan base. Taking into account its much-acclaimed 2006 release, Boys and Girls in America, The Hold Steady’s latest project was anticipated to repeat the same success.

Stay Positive efficiently gives its listeners heaps of offbeat yet cunning lyricism and eclectic melodies that would keep any fan attentive. Matching Boys and Girls in America track for track at 11 apiece, Stay Positive is much easier to digest early on, though it does lack a truly transcendent performance.

With the opening track playfully titled “Constructive Summer,” The Hold Steady comes sprinting out the gates with an up-tempo anthem chanting about getting hammered. By the end frontman Craig Finn defiantly belts out, “We are our only saviors/ We’re gonna build something this summer.”

Switching gears to a wandering ballad in “Lord, I’m Discouraged,” Finn focuses his words on the hidden pain a female friend brings. Though his concern measures up to his subsequent interest in her, there is no hope to be found as he depressingly sings, “I know it’s unlikely she’ll ever be mine/ So I mostly just pray she don’t die.”

The melodic pleasure in “Yeah Sapphire” is arguably the highlight of the album, meshing a mild-tempered guitar riff with the inspirational chords of keyboardist Franz Nicolay. The band’s sound is stunning here, from beginning to end.

Although the album captures a peculiar charismatic sound as a whole, it fails to provide an exceptional performance in the latter part. The title track, “Stay Positive,” is a clear example of this void. Though energetic in presentation with “woos” and smashing riffs, the passion isn’t as potent and was waning throughout the performance.

Even the Peter Frampton-style guitar solo on “Joke About Jamaica” is not enough to garner approval as the record hollows with Finn’s ranting.

The Hold Steady comes off as seeking to replicate the presence of Boys and Girls in America. With that said, Stay Positive is the appropriate title to give an album of this performance.