DS Album Review – Goldfinger – “NINE LIVES”
3rd Wave Ska legends Goldfinger return with their 9th album, NINE LIVES, where they take a chance at experimenting with their music for a record that ultimately can’t be labeled as a single genre. It’s got pop punk, skate punk, ska punk, and even hip hop! Each song is able to stick out on its own, despite sharing common lyrics of reminiscing and heartbreak (and all caps). Some listeners might not like the clean production of their newer work, but I argue that this is the sound the band wish they had when they first came out. The songs here may not have the same ska-driven sound of “Superman”, nor the political angst of “Get Up”, but what they do have are resonating lyrics and great vocals that don’t let you sit still for a second.
Opening is their single “CHASING AMY”, followed by the first of many collabs, “FREAKING OUT A BIT”, which features Mark Hoppus. Lyrics like “I’m not right, but I’m getting better” are resonating for those who wake up already filled with anxiety. The first ska song of the record comes next, “LAST ONE STANDING”, featuring Pennywise’s Jim Landberg. This and other ska songs (“DERELICT”; “LOSER”) lean towards that New Tone sound that uses less horns and bolder lyrics.
While the first 6 songs are indeed standouts and worth the listen, it’s the second half of songs that stood out to me much more. “UNTOUCHABLE” is the most experimental song on the record, featuring iann dior, a multi-platinum rapper who fits well with John Feldmann’s lyricism.
“THE PUNISHER”, as of writing this, is my favorite song off the album: John’s vocal talents are highlighted brightly here, the chorus part is super catchy, El Hefe from NOFX adds a sick guitar solo. Plus, I’m never opposed to a banjo being included.
The closing song is “COLLEGE”, and it stands out because 1. It’s the only song that all acoustic and 2. The lyrics on this one don’t involve romance nor thoughts on the past, but rather it’s a look in to the future. If John has a son, then I’d imagine this is dedicated to him.
Overall, Goldfinger’s approach on music has evolved since they broke out 30 years ago, and they’re not afraid to call on assistance from other established artists as I’m sure they will continue to experiment their sound. If you just went through a breakup, but don’t want to listen to anything slow, then this album might be it for you. Otherwise, it’s still a fun listen. The only real complaint I have is that there’s not enough ska!