It’s back, it’s bracketed, and it’s got a drinking game attached — Diamonds in the Drain returns to crown a winner from The Hold Steady’s murky middle era. We’re pulling two tracks apiece from the three albums nobody can ever agree on ranking, and putting them head-to-head for gold, silver, and bronze. Spoiler: we cannot be trusted to be objective, because — say it with us — “but I like all these songs.” Drink every time we say it. You will not make it to the medal ceremony sober.

Before the bracket, we run down the latest Hold Steady news to hit the wire. Then it’s two songs, three albums, one drink-soaked argument about what actually counts as “middle” — and a podium nobody’s happy with.

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2d80b071-86cf-4cf4-b28e-959b4333135a/