Goldfinger - Stomping Ground

Fans of Goldfinger's likable ska hit "Here in My Bedroom" have a surprise in store on Stomping Ground: there's nary a ska tune on the record. Still, the SoCal punk attitude and general vibe of this smart, high-energy band remain intact. Singer John Feldmann delivers the goods à la Green Day or Rancid through rapid-fire, slightly snotty vocal stylings atop smart and memorable punk-pop melodies. But Stomping Ground, the quartet's first full-length collection since 1997's Hang-Ups, boasts a heavier bent, thanks in part to the addition of bassist Kelly LeMieux (Feldmann's former partner in an early '90s metal-leaning outfit). "End of the Day," with its marching-style chorus and frenetic verses is moshable and memorable, while "Bro" melds Limp Bizkit with Suicidal Tendencies. The cover of Nena's "99 Red Balloons" is fun, but the band fares well on its own, especially on the winning and less-frenetic "Margaret Ann" and the pull-no-punches "Get Away." Stomping Ground may be ska-free, but Goldfinger's music still leaves the listener shaken and stirred. --Katherine Turman Amazon.com

They Don't Make Punk Like This Anymore

I really, really sympathize with the contemporary, rock-faring youth of America.

You have nothing like this band. Good Charlotte? Please. They don't have the intensity or power Goldfinger had. GC is an MTV boy band in a somewhat rugged, poser shell of a group. The music was predictable and stale. Bands like Goldfinger don't frequent the Warped Tour anymore, and it's a sorry, sad thing. Anymore it all sounds a little too produced, too calculated and planned. There's no spontanaity, no power, no sincerity. The day of the Boy Band Punk Rockers is at hand, and the genre is in decline. The grassroots, straight-from your garage band really was the likely culprit for corporate abuse, and with the fall of bands like Goldfinger, this was the likely step in the progression of the Corporate strangulation of Rock music the industry experiences today.

Even if Stomping Ground was one of the most polished albums Goldfinger produced, it seriously killed everything else up to that point. It was the greatest achievement punk had made while simultaneously laid the groundwork for its demise. The hooksy, catchy and unbridled passion these cool guys displayed both in the studio and on-stage (if you missed the "Crouching Fish; Hidden Finger" Tour, I pity you) was one of the finer moments of modern corporate rock. Even rock fans outside the punk genre gave these guys due credit for the music they made on this album. Goldfinger was the last bastion of pure, great punk before it was destroyed by Blink 182 and all the boy band poser Punkers destroyed the genre with crappy, 3 chord guitar music and semi-illiterate lyrics.

Give these guys due credit. You may hate punk rock as much as I did before Goldfinger and after them, but these guys made it pallatable for everyone and they made it a hell of a lot of fun. One listen to this record and what I'm saying will become painfully obvious. Stomping Ground remains one of the greatest punk albums ever recorded. March 10, 2005

Goldfinger's best work yet!

Goldfinger changed it up quite nicely on their 2000 release of "Stomping Ground". Their previous work was more ska friendly. It was interlaced with horns and quick guitar rhythms. "Stomping Ground" was a move to the heavier side, without the horns.

As a huge fan of the earlier ska/punk sound, I found myself a little worried about their decidedly heavy, more metal sound. To my amazement, this has become my favorite Goldfinger album yet. Their influences sound like they come from "The Clash" and "The Kinks". The songs are very well written, and performed with great intensity. The loss of horns is welcomed change after you listen to the album. The album is ever changing, and doesn't include a dull moment.

If you find that you like the punk/metal sound of "Stomping Ground" more than it's predecessors, I would also recommend their 2002 release of "Open Your Eyes", as it has a heavier sound as well.

Goldfinger seems to be taking all the right steps of your basic punk/ska band. They are changing with the times on each one of their albums, not recycling material over and over, which several punk/ska bands have a problem with. I am anxious to hear a new album, to see how they've raised the bar for punk/ska once again. September 15, 2004

Greatest CD ever

This CD is really cool. The song I really like is 99 Red Balloons. I first heard 99 Red Balloons on GT3. I also like a song called Donut Dan. April 15, 2004

Overall, a good cd, with some excellent songs

I never really got into Goldfinger too much. I didn't really care for their last cd, "Hang Ups" due to it's filler songs. Don't get me wrong, "Hang Ups" has some great songs on it, like "Superman" and "My Head", but there were too many dumb, bland filler tracks. Anyway, My friend downloaded an MP3 of the 99 red ballons cover on here, and I knew I had to get this cd.

Well, I'm glad I did. "Stomping Ground" is in my opinion, Goldfinger's best cd. I think they do punk better than they do ska, I'll leave my favorite ska band to Reel Big Fish. My favorite track on the cd is probaly "The End of the Day", which just simply rocks. My other favorites are "I'm Down", "Pick a Fight", "Don't Say Goodbye", "San Simeon", "Forgiveness" and of course "99 Red Ballons". The entire cd has a strong punk sound all the way through it, and it sounds good. The only reason I didn't give this cd a 5 was because there are a few songs I could never get into, mainly "Carry On" and "Bro".

So, if you need another good sounding punk cd in your collection, be sure to pick this cd up, you'll be glad you did when listen to it again all the way through for the fifth time. August 10, 2001

You Need This

I have had this CD for about a year, and I still listen to it. I bought this CD because Hang-Ups and self-titled were good. I listen to this CD almost everyday. All of the songs are really good except Bro and San Simeon, especially Bro. What the hell is that? That still won't make me take away a star because of that. The best songs are: I'm Down, Pick A Fight, You Think It's A Joke, Forgiveness, Magrgaret Ann, Get Away, and 99 Red Balloons (The Nena 99 luftballons cover) Goldfinger used to be Punk/Ska and this CD is all Punk. I like this CD as much as self-titled. Goldfinger is one of the best punk bands out there. Other good bands are: NOFX, MXPX, Pennywise, Reel Big Fish, Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Darrin is awesome at the drums and John has really good lyrics. If you don't buy this CD, you are missing out. If you don't like it you don't like punk. Everyone should own a copy of this CD. April 6, 2001

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