Graduating high school was a banner event for me, and that May before I was officially done, the band Goldfinger put out “Open Your Eyes”. This time around, the band would start the record with a fast paced and energetic performance, and ditched the horns altogether. The band stuck with the melody, but went hard into the skate punk type of sound. This is evidenced out the gate with “Going Home”, and carries through with “Spokesman”, “Open Your Eyes”, and others on the record.

For me, 2002 was a year where I traveled, I went to music festivals, I slept under the stars, I found myself lost in life’s next push, and the soundtrack really propelled me forward. “Spokesman” for instance really spoke to me, and it threw down a great anthem for all of us pseudo punk rock kids in the suburbs.

“Open Your Eyes” spins through 38 minutes of pop punk glory, and doesn’t let up, even when you think they are going to slow down. No, they aren’t speeding through the record, they just have a sensibility that makes this record one that you’ll no doubt want to revisit from time to time. While the band’s first half of the record is grand, it does start to diminish with joke tracks, and hidden tracks that just push you away from the upper half of the recording. That’s not to say that the record isn’t worth listening to, but rather it’s something that you’re going to probably dismiss. “Open Your Eyes” is a solid outing, and one of the better releases from Goldfinger’s catalog.

As someone who’s lived through the vibrant echoes of 2002, I can’t help but share a gem that’s been a cornerstone of my journey. Picture this: the thrill of graduation, the adventure of travel, music festivals under open skies, and the raw, unfiltered quest of finding oneself. Amidst all this was a soundtrack that didn’t just play in the background but fueled every moment with relentless energy and unapologetic spirit. That soundtrack was Goldfinger’s “Open Your Eyes.”

This album isn’t just a collection of tracks; it’s a rush of adrenaline, a burst of raw energy, and a true companion through the rollercoaster of life. From the get-go with “Going Home,” through the anthemic pulse of “Spokesman,” to every single track that makes this record a pop punk masterpiece, “Open Your Eyes” embodies the spirit of an era.

Don’t just listen—engage, reminisce, and let the world know how “Open Your Eyes” opened your eyes to the unforgettable journey of life.

Released in March of 2000, the punk band Goldfinger released their third record, and this once again delivered a mix of tracks that were not only catchy, featured a great deal of promise amidst a lot of pop punk hopefuls that year. “Stomping Ground” features 24 some odd minutes of catchy tunes and it focuses on a variety of styles that float through punk, pop, ska, and of course melody. It’s an interesting and dare I say eclectic blend of tracks that would become calling cards for the band.

It’s interesting that the Japanese version of the record would get a few other tracks, covers from The Specials, The Police, The Who, and Rio populate that disc, so if you look out for it, you could very well pick it up. Those tracks are littered throughout the releases of the band of course, but it’s something to take note of, overall.

According to the wiki page of this record the band did a tour with Reel Big Fish to promote the record, and it’s definitely a good fit overall, as the two bands compliment each other quite well. While “Hang-Ups” had a more ska steady push, “Stomping Ground” featured a little more punk rock overall, and while there were some slow moments like “The End of the Day”, the rest of the record has a great deal of frenetic pacing, and melody to boot. In the end, “Stomping Ground” really was a nice pivot for the band before releasing their next record in 2002.

Dive into the punk, pop, ska, and melodious realms with Goldfinger’s vibrant third record, “Stomping Ground.” Released in 2000, this eclectic mix of catchy tunes and unique covers from The Specials, The Police, The Who, and Rio in the Japanese version, echoes the band’s dynamic synergy showcased during their memorable tour with Reel Big Fish.

“Stomping Ground” embodies the essence of an era, bridging the fervent energy of “Stomping Ground” with the band’s evolving punk rock spirit. Don’t just listen to music, experience the pulsating heart of punk’s golden age. Seize this piece of musical history; get your copy of Goldfinger’s “Stomping Ground” now and reignite your passion for authentic, high-octane soundtracks!

Goldfinger would follow up “Goldfinger” with the release of their sophomore record, “Hang-Ups”. The record would find itself a little different than the debut as it was more focused on horns than straight forward punk prowess. While the first record was a mix of comedy, serious notes, and straight forward pop punk, “Hang-Ups” featured a bit of maturity, with a lot more nuanced song writing, and a ska focus that would define the band for some time.

The first thing that you’re going to recognize about the record is that “Superman” is the lead track, and that could very well be the most famous of tracks from the band overall. The reason being is that it was featured in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. If you’re a skateboarder or simply a gamer, you’re going to find that the song was featured big time in the franchise, and it appeared in the remakes as well. The song would also be utilized in movies and would find a following several years after the band’s initial release of the record.

With a more ska focus, John Feldman and crew put on a showcase of melody that carries the record forward with a pleasant sensibility. Fans of the first record will no doubt enjoy this second helping from the band. It flows well, it has a great deal of ska moments, and yet it isn’t a completely ska record. “Hang-Ups” is a spirited sequel to “Goldfinger” and holds up well, albeit with a varying contrast of styles throughout the record. Clever songwriting on “Superman”, “if Only”, “This Lonely Place”, “Disorder” and more make this a record that you’re going to want to check out again if you haven’t in a while.

Goldfinger’s “Hang-Ups” on vinyl is a must-have for those seeking a ska-infused journey with nuanced songwriting. Featuring the iconic “Superman” and a blend of clever tracks like “If Only” and “This Lonely Place,” this record is a spirited sequel to the band’s debut. Whether you’re into ska moments or contrasting styles, this gem holds up well – grab your copy now and let Goldfinger redefine your vinyl collection!

Goldfinger on the internet gets confused with the movie, which is not half bad mind you, but I always get frustrated when I am looking for one and end up getting the other. The two are so interchangeable at times, that the Wikipedia article itself has a link to the soundtrack too! But we are not here to talk about that, we are here to review the Goldfinger record “Goldfinger” which was released on February 27, 1996.

A 13-year-old me went to the record store and picked up this record after hearing “Here in Your Bedroom” on KROQ. The bass driven standard from the band really speaks to the singularity of the punk rock concept the band was pushing. The pop punk moniker is strong on this record with a great deal of attention paid to the melody of sound rather than the raw guitar work. That’s not to say that you don’t get that fast-paced variety, but you definitely get a sense of melody throughout. This of course is highlighted by “Here in Your Bedroom”.

Overall, the record feels good, like a hug from a familiar friend. It doesn’t stray from any path and is definitely a lot different than other punk records from the same year, and still holds up well. “Mind’s Eye”, “King for a Day”, “Mable”, and so many other tracks on the record hold up really well and prove that they were on to something in 1996 that they are still holding onto in 2022. Feldman’s song writing stands out, and you’re going to love the melodies found on the record.

Goldfinger’s “Goldfinger” is an introduction to a band that would expand their catalog with maturity, speed, and bravado over the years. My favorite track of all is the reggae infused, ska melody driven, “King for a Day”, which truly features a change of pace from some of the other tracks found on this record. Listening over again, the bass line just speaks to me, and heck, lyrically, “making plans to rule the world, spread yourself way too thin, wishing that you were king….” Still says something.

Overall Thoughts

When I got a divorce in 2011, I attempted to get all my music back I lost during the process. I lost 15 years’ worth of CD collecting, and wanted them all back when I landed in Los Angeles. I recall finding Goldfinger’s debut record in the bargain bin at Amoeba for a dollar. A dollar! To this day I feel that the debut didn’t get as much love as it deserves, but then again, the band is going strong and is playing select shows here and there. This record sounds just as urgent and funny as it did when it first came out in 1996. I love it.

Buy Goldfinger “Goldfinger”

For those like me, that still collect physical media, you will want to check out Goldfinger’s debut record on vinyl or CD for cheap by clicking here.