Minus the mustache

On “Heaven is Whenever,” their first record since the departure of mustached piano man Franz Nicolay, The Hold Steady showcase a variety of sounds that essentially serve a test for the group’s future direction.

The slow-building opener, “The Sweet Part of the City,” contrasts previous albums that open with rollicking anthems that set the tone early. The song fails to go where it feels like it should. Something constantly feels missing — perhaps Nicolay’s inspired keyboards. Such is the case with several tracks on the album, especially “We Can Get Together.”

The album’s sound wanders both to old (the “Separation Sunday” — like “Our Whole Lives”) and unexpected (the terrific “Barely Breathing,” featuring a clarinet solo) territory, but the band is best when sticking to what defined their previous work: anthemic choruses punctuated by reflective lyrics.

 “Hurricane J” and “The Weekenders” stand with the band’s best work and offer promise that the band’s future will not be too different from the past — just with less facial hair.