Goldfinger - Hello Destiny

Reviewed on May 5, 2008 by Roel

When you think about it, Goldfinger has always followed the current trend with their albums. Although perhaps not on purpose, they always seemed to release an album that fitted right in with the current hype.

Think about it. Their self titled disc full of goofy melodic punk rock songs was released in the mid 90’s, just after bands like NOFX, Lagwagon and Millencolin released their albums full of funny speedy melodic punk songs and became very popular. Then there was the ska revival in America and the release of the ska heavy “Hang-Ups”. A couple years later, the punk scene became more hardcore oriented with existing bands ditching most of their goofiness and focusing more on a melodic hardcore sound. Goldfinger released their heaviest release yet, totally ska free, and called it “Stomping Grounds”. In the first few years of the new millennium we see an increase in poppy bands invading the punk scene. Goldfinger hopped along with their most melodic and poppy release of their career until that point with “Open Your Eyes”. When pop-punk really blew up, Goldfinger just went along with the flow releasing their pop-opus “Disconnection Notice”. Coincidence? Perhaps. Fact is that all those albums have been released on major labels. Other fact is that even though Goldfinger may be trend hoppers, they have always belonged to the top of the scene: no matter what hype or style was hot at that certain moment.

After all those years Goldfinger finally decided to choose a different path. Their new release “Hello Destiny” is released on huge indie label Side One Dummy. Instead of it being filled with dance-pop-punk-posthardcore-emo they actually aimed for a return to their roots: the southing sounds of fun melodic punk rock of their first release. They even recruited original member Charlie Paulson on guitar again. Did they pull it off?

Partially they did. Although I don’t think that anyone will claim that “Hello Destiny” is as good as their first release, it certainly comes close style-wise. The opening track “One more time” is the perfect example of a typical Goldfinger song that could have fit on any of their albums and be a standout track as well. Tracks two and five are surprisingly ska-heavy songs, of which “Get up” is the more convincing of the two. It’s a fun uplifting catchy song about, don’t act surprised, animal rights. After the first few tracks the quality level tumbles down like a fat chick on a steep hillside though. It takes the band four songs of bitter mediocrity to return to an acceptable level of songwriting. The last two songs are pretty good, one being their own little rock-opera “Handjobs for Jesus” and the other their protest song for animal rights activist Kevin Jonas. “Handjobs for Jesus” suffers from silly lyrics, but is fun because of the different styles of music that are being combined. I know Green Day did it first, but it’s still entertaining to listen to. “Free Kevin Jonas” is a simple yet strong melodic punk song with a catchy mind sticking chorus.

Nobody expected Goldfinger to successfully return to their roots, but with “Hello Destiny” they did however deliver an album that partially did just that. The album suffers from a horribly mediocre midsection, but withholds enough good songs to be considered a good release. Goldfinger fans of old should be happy with “Hello Destiny”, as it brings back the good old days. For those naysayer’s that still think that their old releases are holy and all new stuff sucks; I hate to bring it to you guys, but most songs of their first album sound rather dated and wouldn’t impress anybody if it would be released today. Mable sucks balls after all those years anyway. Give this album a try: it will positively (partially anyway) surprise you.

Album Information

Best Song:Get Up
Medium/Type:Full-Length
Released:April 22nd, 2008
Record Label:Side One Dummy

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Tracklisting

  1. One More Time
  2. Get Up
  3. Goodbye
  4. Without Me
  5. The Only One
  6. War
  7. How Do You Do It
  8. Bury Me
  9. Not Amused
  10. Handjobs For Jesus
  11. Free Kevin Jonas