Customer Reviews

Goldfly

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One day I was driving with a friend of mine listening to this CD when "Airport Song" came on. My friend shrieked "Oh My Gawd! I love this song!" She turned up the radio as loud as it would go. After she sang her fool head off I asked her, "Why do you love that song?" She said, there were two reasons. The first was the line "Whose your daddy/I'm your daddy now." The second was the use of the ping pong ball at the end of the song.

What you get from a band like Guster is a willingness to explore what seems to be the lost art of sound. Harmonizing lyrics, layered instrumentation and a ping pong ball.

On this CD there are a few standout songs (in addition to the aforementioned "Airport Song.")

"Demons" - A nicely balanced song with both Ryan Miller and Adam Garder singing coupled with haunting melodies. Standout lyric: "Honest is easy/Fiction is where genius lies/Cause it's easier sometimes not to be involved/somehow I make you believe.

"X-Ray Eyes" - A slower more melodic piece than the one that follows ('Grin") it is also a nice arrangements of sounds.

"Grin" - A nicely layered guitar piece with great lyrics based upon an inetersting premise. Standout lyric: "And in all the iditots I see/ Thoughtless men casting doubts on me/ Enlightening."

"Getting Even" - This is my favorite song on "Goldfly." In "Getting Even" the listener is treated to a melody that seems to belie the tenor of the songs lyrics. Standout lyric: "They haven't heard a word we've said/ They Make mistakes they doubt his calling/ To Taste revenge will be so sweet/ When we have left them this place/ And as we leave our sacrifice/ One final step outside/ No longer feel these things around/ Soon we'll be happy in the place we are."

All in all, "Goldfly" is a great album and Guster is an awesome band. For those who like "Goldfly" you should try Guster's other albums or, if at all possible, SEE THEM LIVE! If you are seeking a similar band, you should try Toad the Wet Sprocket.

I am a huge fan of Guster, as their third album "Lost and Gone Forever" is my favorite album of the last 10 years. This is good as well, although not up to the level of "Lost and Gone Forever".

The songwriting on this album is more inconsistent and doesn't have as many instantly likeable songs. It has more of an indie type sound and feel to it. I feel like the production is the biggest detractor to this album. The band has said that this album doesn't have the live energy of its third album.

On the bright side, it's still Guster and there are still great songs. "Demons" and "Grin" are probably the two best-sounding songs on the CD, both very catchy and memorable at first listen. "Demons" is one of their most acclaimed songs, in the same vein as "So Long" from LAGF. "Bury Me" is a concert staple, uptempo with some great bongo work from Brian Rosenworcel. "Medicine" is another great song, unusual for Guster in that it uses a real drum set and has a funky, bluesy feel to it. Some of the songs I initially didn't like but have really grown on me are "Airport Song" and "Getting Even". These two are darker than the majority of Guster's songs but very interesting.

Some may feel this is their best album if you are more into the college/indie scene. But like I mentioned, the songwriting is good but not really compareable to the genius of "Lost and Gone Forever". Still, that's a classic album and this is a very good album. The production on that album is 10 times better. You would barely be able to tell it's the same band judging by the sound from these two CD's. But each has its individual merits and some may prefer the more raw/indie sound of "Goldfly".

If you're a new Guster fan, I would start with "Lost and Gone Forever". Then get this one.

I stumbled onto Guster on a whim. While perusing the local music store, I spotted this unique CD cover (the fly/head) and asked the clerk if I could listen to it before buying. No problem. She popped it in. Instant pleasure. Vocal harmonies, catchy tunes, great percussion. Flat out amazing at times. It made such an impression at the store that no fewer than 3(!) other people asked who it was and 2 of them bought it. Check it out. You'll like it.

Goldfly is by far the best cd's i have ever bought. Each song is unique and amazing within itself. The band has proven to be one of the most original and selfless bands out there today. Their endless touring and devotion to the love of music and fans is clearly noticilbe. They are close to each and everyone of their fans and are never promoting themselves on mtv, like the rest of the unoriginal groups out there. Adam has a wonderful low voice that goes along with his amazing guitar playing. Ryan's acoustic guitar and melodic voice, a striking contrast to Adam's, provide one of the best harmonizing duos I've ever heard before. Brian "the conguero" is definetely the most unique percussionist in bands today. Their lyrics are also something to behold. They are thought provoking and somewhat ambiguous. They are simple enough to grasp to but nowhere near annoying. This is evident on the amazing songs of Goldfly. "Demon" is one of the best and beautiful songs ever written. "Airport Song" shows Brians's percussion skills at their best. This song is very powerful as well as captivating. I am one of Guster's biggest fans and after you hear this cd, I know you will be too!

Once I bought this CD about 2 months ago, I pretty much stopped listening to anything else. Then I bought Lost & Gone Forever, and now those two CDs pretty much perform rotation in my boombox and discman all day long. You'd think I'd get tired of them, but not yet! The music is just fantastic. Underneath somewhat dark lyrics, the songs have a lot of energy and power. The vocal harmonies are beautiful, and the drumming will have you rapping your fingers on the table. Every song on this album reels me in.

This band has rocketed to #1 among my favorite bands/performers. And I agree with the reviewer who said that fans of all genres enjoy Guster. I've never liked DMB or bands along that theme (some people, accurately or not, put Guster in that category), but Guster just bowls me over. I can't *wait* to hear a live show, I hear it's even better than the official recordings! If you're curious about Guster then try this album, it's very easy on the ears. If you like Guster already, then by god, run out and buy this!

This is one of those groups you just can't go wrong with. I own all three of their CDs (Parachute, Goldfly, and Lost and Gone Forever) and I can't stop listening to them. I have seen Guster in concert three times, once opening for BNL and twice on their own, and that is the best experience ever! They are even better live than on the CDs- especially with the Airport Song. If you have the chance to see them live- TAKE IT! Amazing!

This album specifically is the best of the three. You can sit down and listen to the entire album, and you will like all of the songs. Some of my personal favorites are Demons- great to sing along with and a great message, Airport Song- very catchy drums, memorable song, they play ping pong at the end (Whose your daddy now?), Grin- cathcy melody and message, and Rocketship- if you like their Parachute (on Parachute) or Either Way (on Lost and Gone Forever), you will love this song too.

Give this album a chance- I promise you will like it. My brothers and I agree, even though one is into harder rock, I am into pop and rock, and the other is into everything- this is a great album. The group is spectacular. One live show and you will be hooked. Also, check out their website (Guster.com) for cheaper CDs and great merchandise and funny band info.

As a bumper sticker I used to own said: "Guster is for lovers"

Which is rather ironic, since very few of their songs are love songs. What they are though are unique, harmonic, and thoughtful -- and with a strange darkness.

They are different though and not everyone likes them; but try a few songs from their various albums, and if you like what little you hear I guarantee you'll love the rest. On this cd I recommend "Demons", "Airport Song", and "Rocketship". The last is one of my favorite songs of all time.

btw, it's true: this band has an amazing live act, and their vocals sound amazing even without lipsyncing! :)

The day I arrived at camp, my counselor promised me and my fellow cabinmates that by the end of 2 weeks, we would all be Guster fans. Well, I must admit that she underestimated the power of the CD. 2 weeks later, I am officialy a Guster ADDICT. So, the day before we left, we all asked Whitney what CD she kept playing. As soon as I got home, I went right out and bought it.

I must say that this CD is positively fantastic. The music, though the meanings are dark, seems upbeat and funky. My personal favorites are "Demons", "Airport Song", and, of course, "Great Escape". Though Guster hasn't hit the headlines when it comes to fame, I'm sure they are on their way. If they can keep making CDs like this, Guster will be as much of a household name as blink-182. Old and new Guster fans alike, this is the CD for you!

Guster creates a really unique type of music that I've never heard before. I first heard their song "Fa Fa" (on the Lost and Gone Forever CD) and fell in love with them. But the best part is that their CDs get better than just "Fa Fa". What I honestly love the most about Guster is the truth and meaning behind every lyric in the songs. Get the CD and then see them live. I just saw them live for the first time last night and the energy, the passion, and the excitement of their live shows is something I've never seen before. You'll be dancing and drumming along with the guys. Its a much hear!!

Excelling on their own terms on this second full-length independent disc, Guster stretches and snaps the elastic seams of alternative pop music.

As some kind of demonic hybrid of They Might Be Giants and Simon & Garfunkel, the band mixes vocal harmonies with high-quality, sardonic wit. Producer Steve Lindsey highlights infectious vocal harmonies, backbeat bongos and the steady rhythm of acoustic guitars, adding a bass to emphasize a dark departure from Parachute, the Boston trio's light-hearted debut album. Goldfly opens with a quirky, rock-heavy song, "Great Escape," chronicling the thrill of jumping into a getaway car with some intense bongo-banging.

Complex harmonies are a delight on the slightly bizarre, narcissistic "Airport Song" ("Who's your daddy? I'm your daddy now") and "X-Ray Eyes" opens with some funky bongos and groovy '80s guitar bassline. "Grin" immediately recalls the intertwining vocals of Atlanta's Billy Pilgrim with a touch of They Might Be Giants' whiny John Linnell.