Gold Medal Famous - Album Review: Gold Medal Famous
This is a dark way to start a review but I am sure the members of Gold Medal Famous, and especially Vorn Colgan, who has unfortunately been diagnosed with terminal cancer will understand.
After all, this is a band who defies convention and often tackle dark and disturbing subjects with brutal clarity and honesty. Just take a listen to Have You Ever Heard to get a glimpse of what I mean. It makes some lyrics from David Bowie's Lazarus from his final album Blackstar seem positively ambiguous.
The opening track is the rather cheery dreary It’s A Waste Of Time takes no prisoners with its jarring line-suicide is common especially in New Zealand. The track comes across like Art Garfunkel singing at a gathering of the Manson Family.
It’s catchy quirky and startling in equal measure and probably the stand out “song” on this album which is a collection of sound bites punctuated with occasional vocals that leaves you feeling depressed, confused and optimistic in equal measure.
1st Waltz is another that grabbed my attention and is akin to listening to nails being dragged down a chalkboard while someone is strumming a lullaby.
This is uneasy listening and I must admit that around half way through enduring the kind of sonic noodling that saw Radiohead lose half its fan base, I had largely given up.
I like a challenge though, so went back for a second and third listen until I ended up feeling decidedly down and a little disorientated. My advice is turn the volume up and use this album sparingly. Do not take more than the recommended dose or there could be side effects.
There is always a need for bands like Gold Medal Famous who simply dare to be different and do the unexpected, screwing with any musical conventions.
Gold Medal Famous may be a swan song for a band that never played the game and are all the better for doing that. It is a glimpse into the collective minds of people who refused to let their music be categorised.
Do yourself a favour and listen to the band who got famous for not being famous in NZ. They will be missed but have a legacy that will live on.
About Gold Medal Famous
Signed to Auckland indie label Powertool Records, Gold Medal Famous will be releasing their sixth album Activity on May 27 2017.
Gold Medal Famous are prolific recorders with 28 releases available on their own Bandcamp page in addition to their releases on Powertool.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Gold Medal Famous
Releases
Other Reviews By Paul Goddard
Cairo Knife Fight - EP Review: Dream Season
19 Jul 2024 // by Paul Goddard
Cairo Knife Fight have been around a while and been through a lot. Spawned in NZ and now based in the U S of A it has been a journey full of highs and lows.
Read More...
The Dirty Tones - Album Review: Sweet Thang
23 May 2024 // by Paul Goddard
For me, Blues music is the real soul music. It has storytelling like Country and folk music and passion like Rock music, but at its core it gives a window into the soul of the people creating it.
Read More...
Sam Cullen - EP Review: Love Again
18 Apr 2024 // by Paul Goddard
When I first heard this brand-new EP from Invercargill native Sam Cullen, I was immediately reminded of another famous Sam who has an equally famous last name (Fender).The four songs on the Love Again EP have a familiarity and similarity with roots going back to Springsteen and the well-trodden stadium rock road but there is also something in the songs on Love Again that could only be grown in New Zealand.
Read More...
Skitch Hiker - Single Review: Slippery Wet Handshake
30 Jun 2023 // by Paul Goddard
Wow.Just when you have given up on music and banging your head against a brick wall wondering why Taylor Swift is more popular than toilet roll during a pandemic something like this comes along.
Read More...
Retro Valley - Single Review: Backseat Lovers
19 May 2023 // by Paul Goddard
Right from the opening bars of Backseat Lovers by Hamilton-based Retro Valley it is clear that this song is pure class.This 3-minute tune is a next-level lesson in how to create, perform and produce a pop/indie classic.
Read More...
Murmur Tooth and Lars Moston - Album Review: No Time To Explain
19 May 2023 // by Paul Goddard
Collaborations can work. Sometimes they do most of the time they don't.
Read More...
Album Review: Sex Dad's Greatest Hits: The Very Best Of Sex Dad
27 Dec 2022 // by Paul Goddard
Feeling bloated and underwhelmed. Listening to mainstream radio in the car as I left my phone at home.
Read More...
Marrow Neck - EP Review: Made Up
23 Nov 2022 // by Paul Goddard
Sitting here in a very wet and cold, rainy UK watching the oldies falling out of the local Wetherspoons where they have been on the piss since 9am (yep the UK is weird it's only the old people who can afford to get pissed all day).I am reflecting on the past as I listen to the latest EP Made Up from Auckland-based Mark Hannington.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
