Search

ARCHIVES
CONTACT US
WORLD NEWS

CD Review-Goldfinger's Stomping Ground

Goldfinger

Stomping Ground

(Mojo)

Three stars

SoCal punk-pop quartet Goldfinger returns with their third full-length album, Stomping Ground, once again releasing a high energy punk/ska/hard rock album fueled by undeniably catchy and forceful pop tunes.

Goldfinger, whose strong touring ethic has earned them an almost legendary post-punk Los Angeles status, prove worthy of their reputation on Ground - their first studio album in three years.

Almost every track on Stomping Ground revolves around Goldfinger's familiar themes of broken hearts, loneliness and isolation. Lead singer and guitarist John Feldman still reigns supreme as the new king of punk, backed by the powerful punch of revved-up guitar riffs and hard-core drumming.

On the album's first single, "Counting The Days," Feldman screams his anguished lyrics over a solid and catchy guitar riff. "Still counting the days I've been without you 1, 2, 3, 4/Still counting the days that you've been gone."

On a heavier note, the song "Bro" finds group members dispelling their hatred for the word "bro," muffled by the sounds of heavy, thundering guitar and bass.

Also legendary is the band's knack for recording some of the most creative and fresh cover songs in recent years. Ground's release trails the heels of Goldfinger's 1999 live EP Darrin's Coconut Ass, an album comprised entirely of cover songs.

Goldfinger produce a clever and amusing rendition of 80s German pop star Nena's "99 Red Balloons" on Ground, a favorite request at live performances.