Almost Killed Me

Almost Killed Me
Studio album by The Hold Steady
Released	March 16, 2004
Genre	Indie rock
Length	42:51
Label	Frenchkiss
The Hold Steady chronology
Milkcrate Mosh/Hey Hey What Can I Do (2004) Almost Killed Me (2004) Separation Sunday (2005)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Drowned in Sound	(8/10)[2]
Pitchfork Media	(8.0/10)[3]
Tiny Mix Tapes	[4]

Almost Killed Me is the debut studio album by Brooklyn-based rock band The Hold Steady, released on March 16, 2004 on Frenchkiss Records. It is considered by many to be a concept album, with several recurring themes such as near-death experiences, parties and the fictional character Charlemagne. It's concept album roots are further explored with the recurring characters in Separation Sunday, the Hold Steady's second album, which uses the same characters introduced in Almost Killed Me. Almost Killed Me was ranked number 99 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 100 Best Albums of the Decade.^[5]

While not a full-time member of the band at this time, future keyboard player Franz Nicolay makes a guest appearance on the album alongside The World/Inferno Friendship Society bandmate Peter Hess.

Track listing

1. "Positive Jam" (Craig Finn) - 3:19
2. "The Swish" (Finn, Tad Kubler) - 4:11
3. "Barfruit Blues" (Finn, Kubler) - 3:31
4. "Most People Are DJs" (Finn, Kubler) - 5:50
5. "Certain Songs" (Finn) - 3:54
6. "Knuckles" (Finn) - 3:46
7. "Hostile, Mass." (Finn, Kubler) - 3:42
8. "Sketchy Metal" (Finn, Kubler) - 4:17
9. "Sweet Payne" (Finn, Kubler) - 4:33
10. "Killer Parties" (Finn, Kubler) - 5:48

Bonus tracks on Australian edition

11. "Milkcrate Mosh" - 5:56
12. "Hot Fries" - 3:37
13. "Curves & Nerves" - 2:40
14. "Modesto Is Not That Sweet" - 3:12
15. "You Gotta Dance" - 2:00

References

1. Almost Killed Me at AllMusic
2. Drowned in Sound
3. Pitchfork Media
4. Tiny Mix Tapes
5. "Rolling Stone Magazine's 100 Greatest Albums of the decade". 09-12-2009. Retrieved 05-04-2009. Check date values in: |access-date=, |date= (help)