Goldfinger Album: “Open Your Eyes [Clean]”

When i first heard this CD was coming out i thought it would be a little more metal, but not at all. It is pop punk, or punk rock. They took the whole vegitarian thing a little too far, but it doesnt effect how good the music is. Its definatly official, goldfinger has no ska left in them, which kinda sucks. The Best songs are spokesman, descision, tell me, radio, and FTN. FTN is a really funny song that cusses about 50 times in a minute. Id say if you like any other goldfinger you'd like this too, even tho its slighty changed. You will also like this if you like Offspring, Green Day, or good charlotte. Overall this is a good, more mature sounding goldfinger CD.

1. Going Home - Good opening track. Catchy and energetic. 8/10

2. Spokesman - Really good song. Cool video on the CD too. 9/10

3. Open Your Eyes - There first single but it's only ok to me. 6.5/10

4. Decision - Catchy as hell. 9/10

5. Dad - The lyrics are touching but not very catchy. 6/10

6. Tell Me - The best song on the CD. This should and probably will be their next single. It's definitely more popish though. 10/10

7. Liar - Not really a song. n/a

8. January - Another really good song. Has a sing along chorus. 9/10

9. Happy - This song is pretty good. Not the greatest, but not bad. 8/10

10. Woodchuck - Another short "song" ala Goldfinger, but I like this one. n/a

11. It's Your Life - The lyrics make it sound like the members are more grownup. 7.5/10

12. Spank Bank - Catchy short song. n/a

13. Youth - Interesting b/c Kelly sings the opening of this one. 7.5/10

14. Radio - Great song with a chant-a-long chorus. This is one song that should get lots of radio play. 9.5/10

15. FTN - Lots of cussing so it's gotta be good. 8/10

16. Prank Phone Calls - some are pretty funny. 7/10

17. Wayne Gretzky - OMG, Darrin is a funny guy. 10/10

This album is make or break for Goldfinger. They have lost a recording contract and founding guitarist in the last 2 years and despite Stomping Ground being their best album to date they have not managed to break into the main-stream like so many of their less worthy counterparts. Open your Eyes is their first release for their new label, Jive and if previous albums are to go buy it should have been the album of the year. Something has gone very wrong though. Open Your Eyes, Spokesman, Radio & FTN are all good trade mark Goldfinger songs, however the rest sound like they were all written in one night. Going Home sounds like a NOFX rip off and January is the worst song they have ever recorded. The sleave notes are full of John's (singer/guitarist) rantings about being a vegan, which is all very well, but he should have concentrated more on the music than the message. Hopefully this album won't destroy Jive's faith in them and they will let them prove with their next album that they are one of the best punk bands around.

It is clear why the music style on Open Your Eyes differs, and is a bit harder, than previous Goldfinger albums. With the departure of Charlie, their former lead guitarist, so went some of the punk/ska style. Their current lead guitarist used to be in the band Unloco, which is more of a hard rock band. It's natural that with his hard rock influences that Goldfinger's music will follow suit. He brings a whole new side of creativity to the table. That being said, the album does have its moments. Woodchuck, though short and campy, exhibits that newly-found harder edge. Also, Radio helps bridge the gap between GF's new sound and old. In a sense, the songs do not feel sincere as a whole. It is as though the band wrote them in an effort to release something new and to provide new material to play live. Let's hope that the next GF album strives to provide the experience that late-90s GF albums did, even though their music style has evolved through the years.

After picking up their ST cd after hearing my buddies copy a million times I picked up Stomping Ground. Both were totally awsome discs. Then I picked up Hang-Ups after falling in love with Superman while playing Tony Hawk. Then I pick OYE. It was a total let-down and far too preachy with the vegan message. A few of the songs are worth picking up on the internet but all in all don't waste your money.