| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 78/100[1] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Drowned in Sound | 8/10[3] |
| NME | 7/10[4] |
| Pitchfork | 8.0/10[5] |
| Rolling Stone | [6] |
| Tiny Mix Tapes | 4.5/5[7] |
| Uncut | [8] |
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. Its 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's 100 Best Albums of the Decade.[9]
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
- "Positive Jam" (Craig Finn) – 3:19
- "The Swish" (Finn, Tad Kubler) – 4:11
- "Barfruit Blues" (Finn, Kubler) – 3:31
- "Most People Are DJs" (Finn, Kubler) – 5:50
- "Certain Songs" (Finn) – 3:54
- "Knuckles" (Finn) – 3:46
- "Hostile, Mass." (Finn, Kubler) – 3:42
- "Sketchy Metal" (Finn, Kubler) – 4:17
- "Sweet Payne" (Finn, Kubler) – 4:33
- "Killer Parties" (Finn, Kubler) – 5:48
Australian edition bonus tracks
- "Milkcrate Mosh" – 5:56
- "Hot Fries" – 3:37
- "Curves & Nerves" – 2:40
- "Modesto Is Not That Sweet" – 3:12
- "You Gotta Dance" – 2:00
References
- ^ "Reviews for Almost Killed Me by The Hold Steady". Metacritic. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
- ^ Hopkin, Kenyon. "Almost Killed Me – The Hold Steady". AllMusic. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
- ^ Hayward, Daniel (September 17, 2004). "Album Review: The Hold Steady – Almost Killed Me". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
- ^ Jam, James (May 23, 2007). "The Hold Steady: Almost Killed Me / Separation Sunday". NME.
- ^ Petrusich, Amanda (March 24, 2004). "The Hold Steady: Almost Killed Me". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
- ^ Sheffield, Rob (June 10, 2004). "The Hold Steady: Almost Killed Me". Rolling Stone: 86.
- ^ "The Hold Steady – Almost Killed Me". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
- ^ Empire, Kitty (June 2007). "The Hold Steady: Almost Killed Me / Separation Sunday". Uncut (121): 110.
- ^ "100 Best Albums of the 2000s". September 12, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2016.