So I picked up the latest Goldfinger CD last night and gave it a whirl. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet. I tend to reserve judgment on new music for a week or two. It got a lukewarm review from AP and is getting slammed on Amazon, so we’ll see how I feel. I ended up having a Goldfinger-fest of my own last night, pulling out all six discs and listening to the best tracks of each.

Listening made me realize, however, that the reason I like GF is probably because I USED to like them. I listen to the 1996 release and I’m 18 again. I guess, to listen to the band, you need to keep a few things in mind. This isn’t an original band that has or will change music as we know it. The lyrics are far from poetic. The message is…well, sort of lame sometimes. Many of the songs are juvenile, adolescent, or just plain cheesy.

That said, I love this band. It is a guilty pleasure, I suppose. Just because a girl flips through Cosmo from time to time doesn’t mean she can’t tell the difference between Shakespeare and a Harlequin, right? They are amazing live, abso-fuckin-lutely amazing. It’s true. And if anyone has a stack of Pepsi caps lying around with free itunes songs and wants to check them out, here is a list of songs that I love.

(I’ve put an asterisk next to the ones that I believe are absolutely essential.)

Goldfinger (1996)

*3. Here In Your Bedroom—the single that had pretty big radio play back in the day (at least in crappy Cleveland). This is the song that spurred me to check out the band and, listening to it even now, it still gets me.

7. Answers—catchy. Don’t know why I like it, but I do.

*9. Mable—THE song that you want to see live. Silly, immature, and cheesy, this is one of the songs that get me dancing around the house like a loon.

12. Miles Away—This made it on many a mixed tape back when I felt the need to share my music with the masses (before I realized the masses were happier listening to commercial radio without me hounding them to listen to any of my, what my best friend at the time called it, “freedom rock”). Now I think the song is lacking, but I don’t care, I still like it.

Hang-Ups (1997)—more of a ska sound on this CD. I’d always thought this was my least favorite of their releases, but I had a really difficult time not recommending the entire disc.

1. Superman—“Here I am/growing older all the time/looking older all the time/feeling younger in my mind” Love this tune.

*3. If Only—I have to use the word “cute” to describe this song. It has to be done. Now go bounce around your house.

10. I Need to Know—Yes, another punky-poppy love-type song. Yes, I really AM a sucker.

Darrin’s Coconut Ass – Live From Omaha (1999)—a short CD of covers made between releases. I have a fuzzy memory of this being a result of record label issues.

*1. Just Like Heaven—C’mon, it’s Goldfinger singing the Cure! Great cover.

5. The Kids Are Alright—Never understood people who think that covers are blasphemous. This one is fun, too.

Stomping Ground (2000)—Fun CD, most comparable with the self-titled release.

*6. Counting the Days—Kick ass song, definitely one of my favorites. This is another dance around the house in my skivvies songs. Love it. LOVE it.

*8. San Simeon—Another one of my favorites.

11. Margaret Ann

13. 99 Red Balloons—Wicked fun cover.

Open Your Eyes (2002)—Here enter the Preachy Vegan. This band is just too silly to try and do something political or activist or whatever you want to call it. They just don’t do it well. The first time I played this enhanced CD at work and saw the stupid animal video I was crying all over my keyboard…they got me. The songs I like off of this one have nothing to do with saving the wittle cowsies (though the Fuck Ted Nugent song is sort of funny).

*4. Decision—Typical pop-punk head-bobby catchy GF tune.

*13. Youth—Definitely NOT your typical GF song. It’s softer, sweeter, and finishes with a bang. I don’t care if the lyrics are a little bland…this may be my favorite song of all.

Disconnection Notice (2005)—Like I said, too early to tell, although I am grateful that the Preachy Vegan wasn’t in my face as much as in the last release. So far Track 1 (My Everything) and Track 8 (I Want) have my attention.

So, if anyone even bothered to read this far, feel free to send music recommendations my way. I need to invest in some new music.

Now, go listen to Goldfinger. Dance around your house. It’s good for you.