Russell HughesGoldfinger – The Knife (Rise Records)
Genre: Ska Punk
Goldfinger have been at the forefront of the ska punk revolution for more than a 20 years and The Knife reconfirms their status as one of the pioneers of the genre.
Their self-titled debut album was named as one of the top ten albums that defined 1996 by Alternative Press, and while their seventh full length might not hit those starry heights it will certainly leave a lasting impression in fans.
It’s also their first LP in nearly 10 years and the band has undergone a whole host of changes as Mike Herrera from MXPX was drafted in to play bass, Phil Sneed from Story of the Year joined as a backup vocalist and guitarist while Travis Barker of Blink-182 fame played the drums on The Knife.
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And the different influences are easy to hear across the 13 tracks. Tijuana Sunrise introduces a reggae infused softer ska sound to the record, while Put The Knife Away blasts into action with a pop punk influenced blend of ska.
A Million Miles is a more standard, fasted paced, dancehall ska punk song that harks back to the days of Reel Big Fish in their prime while the energy of Barker behind the drum kit holds the whole song together.
Lyrically The Knife is as diverse as the sound across the record. From a tongue in cheek commentary on the state of current music on Am I Deaf to the so-mad-its-funny Orthodontist Girl (which also features Twenty One Pilots’ drummer Josh Dun), via the uplifting ‘I lost myself to get what I need’ on Get What I Need to the heartwarming Milla, a song about singer and songwriter John Feldmann’s daughter.
Goldfinger might have been at the front of a music revolution that isn’t really relevant anymore, but The Knife shows how creativity, skill and the fine art of not taking yourself too seriously all the time can still create good music.
RUSHONROCK RATED: 8/10 Gold star.
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