PFR

Item: Goldie's Last Day
Author: Doug Van Pelt

Goldie's Last Day

(1993)

Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

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Label Vireo RecordsHeaven's Metal #47May/June 1994

ccm pop rock power pop

Here's a band that really impressed me at last year's GMA performance, with their blend of tight vocal harmonies and simple Beatlesque approach to rock and roll. 92's single, "Do You Want To Know Love," established the band's identity as "you can't lock us up in a box." This album continues that attitude, but again only produces one song that would keep the attention of rockers who want their heads pounded with volume and power. But, boy do they deliver on the opening number, "Walk Away From Love," which shows an obvious King's X influence. While this trio never races by with 16th notes (nor do they start mosh pits), they have successfully transcended the barriers between pop music and hard rock.

The rest of the album doesn't come close to rockin' this hard, but the first side of the cassette is cohesive in its alternative attitude approach. Several tunes, like "Satisfied," "I Don't Understand" and "By Myself," are firmly entrenched in the Phil Keaggy interpretation of The Beatles (like the Sunday's Child album). The choice of a flamenco style lead adds a unique twist. The ballad "That Kind of Love" will score lots of points for the band in the adult contemporary side of Christian radio, while the humorous title track is a tip of the hat to the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper... era.

Fans of psychedelic bands like Blind Melon and the "intelligent" approach to Rock a la (the lighter side of) Rush, Elim Hall, and The Awakening (remember those two bands?) should appreciate this band's fresh approach to their art. I'm sure they would narrow their audience if they went heavier more often, but I sure wish they'd try.