Customer Reviews

Disconnection Notice

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

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.

Goldfinger...This review isn't about previous releases, how long I've liked Goldfinger, or how great they are live. This review is about this album. This pollished, over-produced, uncatchy, and overall pathetic attempt for an album. The lyrics are weak and whiny, always complaining about being lost, "wasted", or tired. The sound is boring and dull and nothing stands out or makes you want to listen to it again. I tried hard to like it, I forced myself to listen and try, thinking about earlier albums and maybe I'm missing the edge. It's unbearable and I wouldn't recommend this album to anyone. If you're just getting into Goldfinger, pick up their self-titled or "Hang Ups". Please do not judge this otherwise incredible band on this album alone.

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.

i was being generous by giving it 2 stars. what is this? i hope its the last goldfinger album if this is the route theyre going. i mean the last couple were getting a little bad but this is just...discouraging. i dont know what happened to john feldman....but...whatever it was...it changed him. hes more in to animal rights and anti-fascism than ever and its all he sings about. or should i say whines about. this is the most whiny angst driven album i have ever heard. i dont think i like any song on this album enough to not throw it in the garbage. maybe ill go kill a cow with it to give him more to bitch about. and then eat it. seriously though...i gave it three chances...and it just pissed me off. i mean...dont get me wrong...im all about musical evollution....but...this is just...bad. its like...he decided after all his other albums that he was going to use his popularity to voice a message and preach to people. i feel like he considers me to be a mindless member of society and he looks down on me for not shariong his views. i dont like feeling like that. so in short...this album is a little too heavy to be enjoyable unless youre a militant member of peta...dont get it.

A band that I loved for a long time now and have always enjoyed the fact that they have stayed playing the same great music and not headed down the path of producing poppy garbage to make it big with mainstream audiences.

Well Congrats John, because you have produced an album full of the worst pop garbage I have heard since good charlotte.

I would have given this album no stars if possible. There is however one good song titled "My everything" which is more like their old stuff.

I can understand when bands mature and broaden their musical styles, but only if it leads to a positive outcome and not when it seems like it has been made for a mainstream audience which is when I say a band has "sold out"

If you havn't got any of the cds, get self-titled, hangups or stomping ground. This is complete crap.

Well, it finally happened. Goldfinger are certifiably pop-punk.
They've been close to the line for years, but heavy rip-roaring punk rock anthems like 'Open Your Eyes', 'Down' and 'Carry On' have given them more of a sharper-edged, credible presence in the punk community.
'Discontinued' sounds like Goldfinger trying to keep a step ahead of all the bands they've helped create...and failing.
The songs on this cd have already been released by a horde of bands these past few years. It's like they took every weak point from all their past albums and put them on one cd. Maybe they should've called this cd 'Mediocre'.
From albums to album Goldfinger have more and more less-heavy sugar-pop sounding songs showing up. And this album is ALL sugar-pop, not a rip-roaring anthem in sight.
Songs like 'Walk Away', 'Too Many Nights' and the first single 'Wasted', are poppy to an embarassing degree. And, the silly sounding 'Faith' makes Simple Plan sound like Megadeth.
If Goldfinger continue to release albums like this, they will be quickly forgotten and lumped in with other flash-in-the-pan pop-punk cooer's like Simple Plan, Not By Choice and Good Charlotte. (Benji Madden contributes to two tracks on the album)
You'll notice Goldfinger has a new logo for the first time in their 10 year career. If that signals the arrival of a new band sound, I hope they lose it quick.

It's too bad Goldfinger chose this path after so many amazing albums (notably 'Stomping Ground'!)

Album: 1 star for 'My Everything' the only listenable track on the record.
Give the album an extra 2 stars if you're a fan of any of the pop-punk bands listed in this review.

What I noticed about Open Your Eyes was the slight shift to a pop-punk feel. I was slightly dissapointed in this, but my comfort came from the fact that the album actually sounded solid and crisp.

Disconnection Notice, the bands latest effort, is by far the worst album I've ever heard. Goldfinger completely sold out, and thrust their ideologies onto their fans throughout the record. I think the majority of the readers would agree that Mr. Feldman has given up on making descent music, and is trying to reach to an audience of little to no intelligence.

The only song I like off this record is Damaged. It's unique to the album and is quite an enjoyable listen. I suggest downloading it.

Don't purchase this record, it's not quite worth it.

I'm out,
peace

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.

What I would really like is for John Feldman to read this review.
Goldfinger have been one of mine, and my wife's (yeah, I ain't no teen) favourite bands for a good few years.Since the first album infact. Unfortunately, this release sees them at their worst in my opinion. Each album, whether the tracks be Ska based or punk rock based, have been anthem like. So much melody and power. Great stuff. I was worried also about "open your eyes" which could have been stale as hell, but thanks to the comedy element, and down right fun, it made it almost as good as previous releases.
But like many reviewers have stated, pop punk, whatever you want to call it, I mean stuff like Good Charlotte, Busted, all that c!@#, well, it has polluted the sound. It is everywhere you go. This must be hard for bands like Goldfinger, vandals etc. Bands that have been around a while.
well, GF now almost fit into the above category in my opinion. John was a great song writer, but I mean COME ON!!!!
check out "faith" for example. It has to be one of the most vomit inducing things I have ever heard!!!!
As a 30 yr old, I would be embarressed to play that out loud!!
I like what Goldfinger songs stand for, being vegetarian, government etc. C'mon, anyone with half a brain must realise there is something wrong with the way things are in this world.
But I am pretty upest by this album.

Don't get me wrong, there are a couple of moments where you can sense their former glory (hence the 2 stars), but this isn't evolution. This is running out of ideas, and becoming stale.

If you are new to Goldfinger, check out ANY other album. This is polished, processed, pants. the 3 p's!!!!.

c'mon John, where is the good time vibe of "darrin's coconut ass" and the anthem like "counting the days" and the awsome cover "99 red balloons"

Have to say, unless I read an interview with John somewhere regarding this release, and promising his fans the next realease will be a return to former glory, this will be the last Goldfinger album I ever buy.

On that note though, seeing these guys play live, in different countries and years I might add, have been my greatest gigs ever. I am sure they still rock live, but If I ever heard Faith live, I think I would vomit.

I have been listening to Goldfinger since the self titled album. I still think their first album is one of the most infectiously catchy punk rock album ever...or at least of the 90's. They had humor, wit, and got really fast and heavy sometimes. Ever since Open Your Eyes and now with this album, Goldfinger have done what everyone else is doing these days: They now play whiny pop music that sounds like everything you hear on the radio and everywhere else. This album is way too polished. I dont care if they are vegan now and all "grown up". They should have considered their fan base, which I know has to be shinking after this record. The lyrics are so boring and uninspiring. John Feldmann whines on and on how he made so many mistakes in the past on this album...who cares! Live and learn and quit talking about it. Its been said before a million times. I'm sure the real reason the band is so sappy now is because Charlie and Simon left. They probably wanted to continue doing punk rock and not sell out. I love hang ups, stomping ground, and the s/t but those are the only original ones. I miss the old days like Mable, Cris Kayton, and Answers. Bottom Line and I dont care what you think.....this album sucks and Goldfinger are not cool anymore