i felt like the last souls' record, "anchors aweigh" was a big step away from the records that preceded it. but that was a very good thing. the souls are significantly older people than most of the members of other bands in the same genre, so if they had just kept rehashing that young sound, i probably would've gotten bored. but they matured, and in the best way possible. this has kept their fans around, and managed to wrangle in new ones. it's a great thing when a band can be around for 15 years and never really lose their original fanbase. us older guys find ourselves becoming more and more ashamed of nads we grew up with, but the souls are ceertainly an exception. and they've done it again. with a broader musical scope (keys, harmonicas, trumpets, accordian, etc) and somewhat un-souls-like songs stuctures, they keep us old men interested, and feeling young.

things kick off with a more traditional, rocking souls feel, "the gold song", but from there, things are a little different. which threw me for about the first 5 spins. i was lucky enough to have this record for a good month before the release, and i think that if any souls fans out there are disappointed by this record, they might benefit from a one month grace period of mulling it over, like i did.

some the most noteworthy songs, in terms of being unusual, are "the pizza song", "the messenger", "lean on sheena" -and maybe even "so jersey", as it has an almost neil diamond feel, with the keys and epic guitar crashes- (no, really, think about it!). these are the songs that had me shaking my head at first, but the souls' sincerity shined through, and now i feel like it's their ability to use the new instruments and sound in tandem with their usual anthems that makes these guys so durable and well-loved.

after any shock wears off from the new sounds, i think fans will embrace this record as much as any other souls' album. they still have that ability to make you feel like you're ok, and you can pick yourself up and go one, because you're not alone, and, in the end, life is supposed to be fun. the fact that they take that message, and continue to build new, interesting songs around it, makes this record as classic as the rest of theirs.

This album is done by the Bouncing Souls but has a different feel to the music. The Souls put everything in this music from synthesizers to trumpet solos. The vocals are enormously strong.

The Gold Song: 9/10 - A nice up tempo song with an incredibly catchy chourus.

SO JERSEY: 11/10 - My favorite song on the album (even though they are all awesome).

Sounds of the City: 9/10 - Musically a very different song from anything the Souls have ever done.

The Pizza Song: 8/10 - one of the not freaking cool songs, but a decent one.

Sarah Saturday: 9/10 - Another thing about this album that stands out is the really positive message in each song. This song really reflects this message.

Better Things: 9.5/10 - Another different sounding song compared with the previous albums, and again this has a very uplifting message.

The Messanger: 7.5/10 - One of the lower rated of this album. I like everything except for the repetitiveness.

Lean On Sheena: 8/10 - The chorus on this song reminds me of the Blink-182 stlye of singing.

Letters from Iraq: 10/10 - The cool thing about this song is that it was written by a real soldier in Iraq, and is very cool. Touching Lyrics.

The New Thing: 8.5/10 - The Lyrics are great on this song. Good song.

Midnight Mile: 10/10 - This song is why Bouncing Souls are what they are and how they came to be. Tons of energy felt in this one.

For All the Unheard: 10.5/10 - Great ending song. Saying that people do not express themselves enough. saying we need to let people know how we feel. Great secong favorite on the album

Overall this is no doubt the best album by the Souls put out ever. It Sounds like the Bouncing Souls made this to uplift all the people that are upset and wooried about the world today and where it is going this album will calm anything with their lyrics. Go get it right now and listen to it with your ears

The Bouncing Souls always put out quality work and the Gold Record doesn't fail to live up to their rep. I really like a number of their tracks that clearly standout on this one. The overall recording sounds much better than the last. Still, I don't think this album outdoes some of their finest (and earlier) work such as the self-titled album or the classic Maniacal Laughter. As a Philly native, the Souls never cease to amaze me every time they come through town or whenever they put out their latest line of work. You've got to give these boys props- they know how to rock.

I love the Souls, but I can't give The Gold Album 5 stars. It just doesn't have the depth that Anchors Away or earlier albums have. For the most part the album is solid, but there are a few songs that just don't do it for me, they just don't have that pull. Still it is an album worthy of your money. Buy it!

These guys kill it on this record. Recommended for anyone fan of energetic surf punk. Really pumped on this album.