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 | Bouncing SoulsThe Gold Record2006 Epitaph 
  Review by: Skanknsmile See others by this writer Bouncing Souls official website (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on June 6th 2006
Thanks to the music in our lives for helping us to surviveAfter I heard these words harmonized out in the second track “So Jersey,” I knew I was hooked. I knew that I had found it. Every summer we all do the same scramble, the search for that record that resonates with us for the long hot months of May through August, maybe even early September. You know exactly what kind of record meets the qualifications as “the Summer Record,” one that you and all your friends have, one that you can listen to on any car ride, spent searching for cures of boredom, and all you can do is scream along as Greg Attonito wails out, “we are not alone / in this city that is our home” on the track “Sounds of the City.” So in that respect, the Souls have delivered the perfect summer record, but the question remains: Does it maintain the staying power to listen to in reference to their other classics such as How I Spent My Summer Vacation or what some consider their best, Hopeless Romantic? Not only does it meet the rankings, but the Souls have delivered quite possibly their most musically diverse release. With the use of the accordian, trumpets and harmonicas throughout, we have been introduced to a side of the Souls that I for one was not expecting but am fully embracing. Not only are we seeing a more open-minded Bouncing Souls (quite possibly from doing several tours with the likes of Flogging Molly), yet when I opened the case and put in the record, my first thought was that sonically, and I don’t know how they did it, but damn, this record is LOUD. It’s easy to imagine why with guest spots from the likes of Chuck Ragan and Brett Gurewitz, and a fantastic production job by Ted Hutt; the sounds and music on the album are flawless. Even on the softer spoken songs like “The Pizza Song” or “Lean on Sheena,” your eardrums are slowly being peeled away. One of the most impacting moments is the song “Letter from Iraq.” For those of you that haven’t been keeping an eye out on their website, they have been supporting several American soldiers who are currently serving overseas and the song's lyrics were adapted from a letter by Iraqi veteran Garett Reppenhagen. The emotional velocity of this song ranging from anger to confusion is a very impressing and powerful addition to the album. In the sea of current artists stepping on soapboxes screaming their political agenda, it's refreshing to see the Souls press the issue in a much more personal and effective way. One key the Souls made sure of was that they kept constant the simplicity and anthemic structure to all the songs on The Gold Record to hold over any aged fan. There will be plenty of shouting and fist-pumping at your next Souls show. Bryan Kienlen’s bass-lines still drive straight through your chest while the rapid fire snare hits from Michael McDermott shoot out over Pete Steinkopf’s progressions on the guitar, showing they're still riding on top of the their songwriting game. Now, you may be wondering what has made this record stand out as a definite for your collection. Yes, they have the love song, “Midnight Mile;” yes, they have a blasting opening track, “The Gold Song;” and they have no filler on this album. I think one of the lasting impressions that The Gold Record has made on me was their commitment to the community of loyal fans and underdogs that they call out to. The Bouncing Souls operate their band as a single unit; there is a lack of mention of “lead” in the liner notes, and justifiably so. Their close unity crosses over into the audience listening and you cannot help but connect with anyone sharing the experience with you, and on this album, that sense of community and togetherness rides through every song. The communities of patrons whom listen to the Bouncing Souls will for the most part all agree that the Souls are able to capture all that is fun about being in a punk band, or are still enjoying the loyalty and adulation that comes from being at one of the Bouncing Souls shows. Everything just seems to click; whether live or now on a new record, the Bouncing Souls fail to disappoint. Not only will this record suffice for any elder fan of the band, but it is sure to win over a new legion of younger fans who may be receiving their first introduction, and a fitting one at that. With The Gold Record, they encompass what has made them one of the most undisputed forces in the punk scene for nearly two decades. As personified in “The New Thing,” Greg states to all contenders and young upstarts, “We’re still dreaming / still believing / no longer looking for the new thing,” and to be perfectly honest, I wouldn’t ask them to alter their voice in any way, especially when it sounds so good. People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
This is such a great album. I listened to it at least once a week for a year. The Bouncing Souls and their music really means a lot to me and their sound seems to keep getting better. I'm giving this a 1 cause everyone gave it a 5, well me cousin bought it for his enjoyment and I gave him my blessing, douchebag... ahem... anyways, listen girls and dumbasses alike, hush Mic is pontificating. Listen I say hark! There is something that I just never got about Bouncing Souls, everyone is on their nuts like it's going out of style. I know they might be cool down to Earth guys who enjoy to drink in excess and play soccer, sew ha-what I say! Shhh... you fucking pubians I say whoa, touchth of mine pubis, purr child. Ahem, good lord I'm off track. This is an enjoyable album I guess, could never dig I mean I just don't know it doesn't speak to me. I guess I need to start drinking and snatch chasing like the rest of the young men of this country. I should have never gone on the wagon... Don't take the 1 as a fuck you my friend, I just want to do something diffrent than the rest of the gentry. Anybody watch that fucking Doherty video, good god! What a bunch of shit I say! This is better my friends. Album of 2006. Period. Finally got this. 10/10. I'll say this: This is like listening to Anchors Aweigh the first time. It's not a bad record and I appreciate them trying something a little different. But it's gonna take me some time to grow into this... if that even happens. This album is so much fun to listen to. I bought it yesterday, and I've been listening to it constantly since. It's so addictive. I can't wait to see these guys at Warped tomorrow. Guaranteed to be the best set there. When I first heard the chorus in the middle of Sounds of the City I thought "What the fuck? When did 'Gone' come on?" But that's ok, because this is an incredible disc. Incredible album. I had no idea the Bouncing Souls could write an album this good!!!! I can't stop listening to this record. The whole album sounds like the song gone best summer album of all-time They played the entire thing start to finish at the show on 6/6/06... Fucking incredible. Dave Hause played with them, he's the fucking man. I'm pretty sure I've seen oldpunker mention his age before. Have an awesome fortieth!!! yeah, I wish they would have written a couple more fast songs to change it up a little. great record again from a great band ! woah I'm half oldpunkers age. good record, but it needs 2-3 songs like the first one, faster upbeat stuff, all these slow songs tend to blend together and can be a tad boring at times, still a fun cool record holy shit, is this the first time oldpunker has revealed his age?? your welcome, i still feel 20 -oldpunker- Oldpunker you're 40? and happy birthday to me...the big 40...., thank you bouncing souls for a great gift-oldpunker- Brillaint, plain and simple.. These guys do no wrong, feel good music and no bullshit punk fuckin rock.. Wow, they topped themselves with this.. -oldpunker- Woops forgot to leave my score. Not-to-regret, i feel the same way. i say get the album if you want something "fun".. but don't expect more than a few spins. this stuff is like the mission impossible series. I gotta say, the more I listen to this album the more I like it. i'm not going to fucking read all this punk is alive and happy, if you just know the bands that are hyped here than the big picture is that punk is dead What I think about the use of the covers on the album is just the fact that a band, who has been making records for a long time, wanted to have some fun and give credit to a band whom they enjoy. People are giving these musicians a larger than life status and not allowing them to have fun. If you have ever been in a band or just played with some friends together, figuring out one of your favorite bands songs and jamming out to it is always fun. Let the boys have some fun, they deserve it. NTR/Captain Cynic- Please keep in mind I haven't listened to this record yet. I hate to be my old cynical self, but I just can't let "fun" punk bands on the flailing Epitaph label get praise in lieu of more "serious" music. I've had my phase with these guys and thoroughly enjoyed anchors aweigh and summer vacation, but they rarely find themselves on my stereo. Songs like "hopeless romantic", "ole" and their older more loose stuff sound inspired yet cheesy at the same time. In this train of thought is this album worth buying or downloading? I know these guys have a huge fanbase like the Larry Arms and NOFX but that doesn't give them a "get out jail free card". As far as i'm concerned bands still playing up the tired street-punk epifat sound are a dieng breed... and punk in general. Just look at the filler on the last NOFX record and the repetitiveness of the latest Lawrence Arms record. My affinity with punk is quickly fading although it will always influence my tastes and guitar playing... not like I could do any better. Does anyone understand what I'm saying? Look at the big picture here... for the person that decided it would be cool to make a political statement below, being anti-war isn't the cool thing to do anymore, so you can change your opinion now to be cool ok! i can't believe people are calling this album of the year! lets start with the fact that there are two covers on the cd!? no band deseves album of the year when they do two cover songs! if they are such a good band then why can't they write and prodce their own music! you people get a hold of yourself! this album is for the whiny people that were depressed about AFI not sounding the same, they needed something to hype! sorry folks not a good cd or band! that's one fucking quick tattoo then! "suppose you have to say that if ya have 3 Bouncing Souls tattoos!" I dont support the troops. and thats not only America, thats all troops. I cant condone killing. Senseless killing. i love the souls and i dig this album. 2 covers though? fo real? that leaves just 10 souls originals. they gotta be able to come up with more than that in almost three years. the lean on sheena cover is damn good though. "it is my album of the year by far." i really love this band but this album is not as good as summer vacation and hopeless romantic, but its way better than anchors away Definatley not the best Bouncing souls album. In fact it may be my least favorite. However this shit fucking kills. What a great fun record. Definatley going to be in my top ten of the year, close to one I'd say. this shit rules! 'so jersey' just might be their best song yet, even though it really really sounds like born to run for the new millenium. but who cares, ya gotta respect the boss. "Better Things" is a Kinks cover, so I'd say the Junction 18 song sounds like "Better Things". saw them last night at the record release...they played the entire album from begining to end. Unfortunately, I didnt know the songs yet so the set was a bit of a dissapointment. They played an encore of about 7-10 old songs. well, i just figured out "better things" sound a lot like one of junction 18's songs. yes. Guess I'm retarded for choosing this as my Album of the Year over Lawernce Arms, None More Black and Ignite right Swingline? Bleh. 5/10. This albumn took the term "everything in moderation" and went overkill. someone said...the bouncing souls might be the best band ever. i have a hard time argueing this. "Wow. Great review, and a 10-star album. good as far as punk rock goes but this isn't extraordinary by any means. whoever chooses this as album of the year is mildly retarded. Most boring record of the year! Most talentless too! KINGOFSUCK- afi is only 8.99 at circuit city, buy it. Great cd, I've been listening to it all day. I wouldn't use the word simple, but this CD is both straightforward and going in different directions. This guys, is how you grow as you record. ive always liked the souls, but never really considered them one of my favorite bands, but I have to say with their track records, I can't really deny they have to be dont they? They really are amazingly consistent in a genre that typically can't establish an identity without it also meaning repetition. It's really surprising how much people love this album. I wasn't really impressed. It's solid, I'll give it that, but it's not anywhere near as memorable as the self titled, Hopeless Romantic and How I Spent My Summer Vacation. Wow. Great review, and a 10-star album. The Bouncing Souls always make me smile. Great review. Great album. Everyone shits on the new AFI and noone even makes jokes about this album. These guys are no bullshit punk rock, they've evolved muscially but yet they're still the same punks... Album of the year. I'm always a bit skeptical of the Punknews.org hype machine, but this album actually deserves all the praise it gets. I'm really surprised at how solid the record is from start to finish - a perfect album for the summer, actually. Glad to see these guys still got it. Well it's definately different. It's the Souls for sure, but it's missing all of the party-type songs like Toilet Song and all those old ones. It's defiantely amazing, and my album of the year so far and it did not disappoint. As always, you can identify with all of their songs and it seems their lyrics are more meaningful than ever on this cd. great band but this and anchors aweigh is not very . the first track is completely souls a-typical and sounds like a weak and powerless anti-flag rip-off. It gets better then but its far from classy albums like How I spent my last and Hopeless Romantic (and Maniacal laughter). Its better than anchors aweigh but still not good enough for the bouncing souls great band - disappointing album for me What track is Chuck on? album of the year so far, but its gonna take a REALLY good album to top this this is the album of the year, no question. 'not' "the bouncing souls? those fucking new jersey mooches." might be top 2 of the year with Oh! Calcutta seems like ive been waiting for this to finally come out all year. this is such a perfect cd especially in a year of dissapointments. the bouncing souls? those fucking new jersey mooches. "This album is good. Probobly not my favorite Souls record, but it's good and fun to listen to. " Great review. Great band. The Souls' never dissappoint. great fucking review! I mean it! Great record as well! This is why I wear the broken rocker heart proudly tatted on my arm! Great album!! I completely forgot to pick this up, time to head down to the record store. I have a new favorite souls album!! This album is good. Probobly not my favorite Souls record, but it's good and fun to listen to. I can't believe the new NMDS hasn't been reviewed yet though. That record destroys. I'd do it myself if I wasn't so lazy. Solid, solid album. The Souls still got it... Holy shit is this record good. chicken soup for the punk rock soul, in audio format damn good record. good review, too. still gotta absorb it, but it seems pretty good. but i mean really...no way it tops How I Spent My Summer Vacation. That is their holy grail. Simplistic brilliance. this album is awesome The subtle beauty about this album is that the cover art conveys exactly what the album is try to put across; warm, good times. press play...put on repeat....turn it up....rad cd...start to finish. i loooooove this album, just in time for summer I'll be picking this up at the show tonight...see you in the pile on. couldnt get into it. So far this tops my year end list. Its true, there is no filler on this album. I had never been keen on the Bouncing Souls. But when i first heard this record it really grabbed me, only to grow on me even more after a few additional listens. Great catchy and anthemic punk rock songs. There's a really positive (yet sometimes melancholic somehow) vibe coming out of The Gold Record that i can't help but really enjoy. sad to say, I downloaded this thing, but I couldn't be happier with it. audio. perfection. woops you did mention “Sounds of the City.” I love the Bouncing Souls. I like it, just not very memorable. One of the best records of the year gets a review to match...loving it. awesome album, although i cant stand 'sarah saturday' Their cover of Lean On Sheena might actually be better than the original. I've said it before, but it is worth repeating: Album of the year. The kind of album that makes you remember why you got into punk in the first place. The energy and passion are so overwhelming, you can't help but feel great after hearing these songs. another great album from jersey's best dancers.....come on now, greg has moves No matter how shitty things get, the Souls have an uncanny ability to make everything seem ok. This is one of the greatest records I've heard in a long time. They just keep getting better. I refused to download this album, I will pick it up frist thing in the morning, it's more exciting that way!!! This album is awesome, anyone who would rather buy the new AFI record instead of this record would have to be insane. This album is awesome, anyone who would rather buy the new AFI record instead of this record would have to be insane. This album is so damned good. Good review. This is definitely going to end up on my year-end list. |
