Goldfinger - “Hello Destiny” & Less Than Jake – “GNV FLA”

By J. Beasley

Since Goldfinger and Less Than Jake are currently touring together and have followed virtually the same paths to this point AND each have brand new records out, I figured why not write a review for both records at the same time? Should be easy…

I love both bands. They are hold-over’s from my youth. BOTH started as indie in the mid 90’s, BOTH moved on to main stream success during the ska-everything boom of ’97 and BOTH subsequently “jumped the shark” in the early 00’s and changed their sound to accommodate the times. Goldfinger aligned themselves with the dreaded Good Charlotte and LTJ all but dropped their horn section in favor of layered guitars and pop sensibilities…bummer.

I remained optimistic (bad record after bad record) that they would turn things around, and I kept buying their stuff (bad record after bad record) despite the deficiencies. Well, I’ve finally gotten what I’ve been waiting for!

“Hello Destiny” could be “Goldfinger” part 2. It’s really good, and they return to their old formula of writing good pop-punk/ska songs. There are a few throw away tracks, but by in large it is the first cover to cover TOLERABLE Goldfinger record since 2000’s “Stomping Ground”. They even got lead guitarist Charlie Paulson back! Check out the song: “Get Up”. Good record.

Now, “GNV FLA” is a GREAT record. If you like early LTJ you will love this! They have returned from the crap that was 2006’s “In With The Out Crowd”, re-inserted the horns (I’m biased.) and stopped writing ridiculously sappy emo-esque pap. The songs are catchy without being over-the-top and the band sounds full and loud. The way nature intended. The whole record runs about 30 minutes, and sports 14 tracks! They have truly come full circle. If you spent as much time listening to “Losing Streak” as I did, you’ll be ecstatic with this release. Check out: “Does The Lion Still Roar?” Great record.