Staff review
Goldfinger: Nine Lives
7.5
Staff write-up
The Rev
FIRST LISTEN: I love Goldfinger, but they’re their own worst enemy. Overproduction has plagued them for nearly 20 years. Open Your Eyes was the last album that felt truly great front to back. Everything since has had standout tracks, but never quite reached the heights of their earlier efforts as a whole.
On first listen, Nine Lives feels on par with The Knife, but time will tell if it grows beyond that.
This does feel like a throwback, with more fun clearly had during recording. Calling in favors and tossing in callbacks (hey THPS nod on the cover) helps the album stand out, even if it doesn’t quite excel.
The ska is still there, if a bit reserved. The biggest issue is the production and vocals. It’s just too much, and that polish dulls what should feel punchy and raw. But that's nothing new with Goldfinger.
This actually reminds me of Good Charlotte’s 2025 effort Motel Du Cap, which grew on me tremendously over time. Let’s see if Nine Lives does the same.
Same vibe
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