Brooklyn-via-Minnesota rockers the Hold Steady announced on their Web site that they’ve finished preproduction work on the follow-up to Boys and Girls in America, which Rolling Stone deemed the one of the top ten albums of 2006. After enduring the longest stretch of time out of the recording studio in the band’s history, singer Craig Finn says, “I’ve never looked forward to being placed in a giant aquarium with headphones like I have been lately.” The group will take January and February to record the new album, during which time they’ll post “photos and updates for those interested,” which should mean everyone. There’s no target release date yet, but safe money says 2008 will bring a new Hold Steady record.