Goldfinger

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Amazon

Let’s be honest with ourselves: Goldfinger, you had some really great, catchy singles like “Superman”, “Mabel”, and “Here in Your Bedroom”. And your first, self-titled album was actually a decent representation of the times. Ska-punk was hitting its peak and you guys were riding that wave. Bands like Buck-O-Nine and Reel Big Fish also shared the newfound popularity. Like many musical fads, however, the revived ska scene faded from the mainstream. Now, Goldfinger’s sound is much more pop-punk than ska and, unsurprisingly, their music has not changed much. On Hello Destiny, the California band’s sixth album, you hear a lot of what you heard on their debut. The difference, and this is a big one, is that the songs have no grit or passion to them. It’s not that the songs seem forced, but everything just blends together. Also, it’s about time that these guys grow up. Many of their lyrics reek of the teenage angst they felt more than 20 years ago. “Goodbye”, a suicide anthem, is downright horrifying and filled to the brim with clichés. Other tracks are more upbeat content-wise, but nothing here really stands out. If anything, Hello Destiny reminds you that nostalgia can kick you in the pants sometimes.

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