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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
What Do We Do With This, Feldmann?, February 17, 2005
I have always been a Goldfinger fan. In fact, they were one of the only mid-90's ska punk bands that I actually found appealing. Their debut album was packed full of catchy choruses, a tasteful variety of tempos and some solid, but not over the top production qualities. It had such an impact on me at the time that I knew I would be a supporter of their music for the long haul.
3 full length releases, 1 cover album and 2 line-up changes later I still found myself anxiously anticipating new music from John Feldmann and co. Their ability to effectively pull off so many different styles on each disc (everything from metal to ska to reggae to punk) has always kept me impressed and entertained despite their tendency to write songs with relatively straight forward structures. Would Disconnection Notice be any different?
Unfortunately, I think so.
Their previous full length, Open Your Eyes, definitely showed signs of a slight turn towards pop-punk. Many of the songs on that record would not have sounded out of place on a Good Charlotte record. That in itself was more than some fans could handle. Personally, however, it didn't bother me much because I had coincidentally switched to a vegan diet around the same time of it's release. Honestly, my excitement about their new animal rights message helped me look past the few somewhat weak moments on that disc.
Not even the spoken word by Peta's Ingrid Newkirk on "Behind The Mask" can mask the extreme overproduction and Simple Plan style tracks on Disconnection Notice though. While I'd still rather listen to this record than anything currently being released by the slew of other pop punk acts climbing the popular charts these days, I find myself very disappointed in the material we were given here. My overall impression of the album is that it does more to showcase John's abilities as a producer than it does his creativity and songwritting abilities.
"My Everything" kicks the disc off with a Helmet-esque riff driven attack that would lead the listener to believe that Goldfinger still has its edge. Not bad at all. Following that solid song, however, is the most lame and oh-so-typical track I've ever heard from them. I actually had to check the disc sleeve to see if it was a Good Charlotte b-side. Lyrically it breaks no new ground and seems a little immature comming from a guy Feldmann's age. "I'm wasted again. Black out don't know where I've been..."? I know he's capable of better than that. Besides, Darrin is far too good of a drummer (maybe one of the best in the business) to play something so stripped down and devoid of passion. Where have the up tempo punk beats gone?
Some classic Goldfinger moments do show up in songs like "Too Many Nights" and "Uncomfortable" (the first time we actually get to hear horns from them in years), but they are ultimately overshadowed by songs like "Faith" that do absolutely nothing for me. Ironically, it contains the line "...then you come along to sing this song, restore my faith like nothing's wrong..." In my opinion, something does seem to be wrong here.
Now, I know this review probably sounds a bit harsh, but let it be known that I still consider myself a fan of this band. They've entertained me far too many times before to just abandon them for a few missteps on Disconnection Notice. Let's just hope their next album restores some of the intensity and excitement that originally attracted us to Goldfinger in the first place.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Just Doesn't Cut It, February 27, 2005
When I heard that Goldfinger was FINALLY releasing a new CD, i was ecstatic! But when I listened to their CD, I was less than excited. I find two major problems with this CD. First of all, as many other reviewers have said, they have lost their sound. There is very little hard rock left in them, and they've even lost 95% of their ska sound as well. Overall it sounds very poppy and over manufactured. The second problem I found is that its way too political. I see enough poltical whining on TV every day when I turn on the news, I don't need to hear it on my radio too. They devote two of their 12 songs to politcal messages (Go Vegan, and hate the U.S. Government) with the songs Behind the Mask and Iron Fist. I thought Open Your Eyes was annoying with this stuff, at least it was funny on OYE with F*** Ted Nugent. Frankly, I just don't care what you think of the government or animals! This album makes me long for the days of Stomping Ground and Hang-Ups. These guys used to be my favorite band, but they've lost their edge.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disconnecting my speakers for the last six songs..., February 15, 2005
I've been listening to Goldfinger for years now as well as many others-also watching them evolve through all their albums, as well as seeing them four times in concert over the years. And honestly, I was a little dissapointed by this cd. A little being the key word though, because it certainly does have it's moments. It just seems like there was an overall lack of effort involved in this cd. First, the title, which really relates not at all to the content of the cd, and is such a generalization and cliche, I have no idea what it could mean. Then there's the length-Goldfinger has never had a real, new release without 14 songs-not to mention this whole cd clocks in at 34 minutes. And then it's songs like "Wasted", which is a great melody but c'mon, "I'm wasted again, passed out don't know who I am"...Johnny Feldman is my idle but I think he's getting a little old for that. But don't get me wrong, 1-6 on this cd are solid Goldfinger tracks. It's nice that they mix in the ska on Uncomfortable, Too Many Nights has their usual inspiration, and Damaged is like a masterpiece-with the almost classical guitar and Indian woman in the background. But then, it really falls to pieces. Track 8 "I Want" (just by the way he sings the melody)is a clear attempt at reviving the self titled and hang ups style. While this is well and good, the song itself just isn't very good-lyrically or catchiness. And then we have Walk Away. Wow, this song made me really take a step back...maybe it would be different if you didn't PRODUCE the band that you're stealing the same EXACT opening from, but he did produce Mest's "Wasting Time"...and then are you kidding me? The chorus is blatantly the chorus from "Get Away" off their cd Stomping Ground...and it sucks cause "Walk Away" is catchy, but if you are a true fan you can't like this new version of "Get Away". Then getting considerably worse from there, "Faith". Wow is this song bad...I mean it's almost funny, I can't even listen to it. Then as a closer, you're thinking their usual fun, witty, fast ending secret song...or maybe another Radio, 99 red balloons, or Chris Cayton...but instead it's "Oh Oh Oh She's off of her rocker, I want to marry my stalker". I mean, I've really never heard a more uncreative, corny lyric from Goldfinger. And if you notice, the verse melody is just the theme song to Full House. Listen, Goldfinger has harder standards to meet then everyone else...so if you are a new fan you probably shouldn't hold this review as truth. But from the bottom of my heart people, John Feldmann is my idle as a recording technician and artist-I've never even heard a Goldfinger song I couldn't stand except for maybe "Open Your Eyes" and "Too Late"...and this album has atleast 3. It's a great cd compared to anything else out there, with atleast 6-8 winners, but is definitely my least favorite Goldfinger work to date.
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by Goldfinger 
