Song Spotlight: "Am I Deaf" by Goldfinger

            In my eyes, Goldfinger has always been a band that can do absolutely no wrong. Since my first exposure to their music via Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, I have been an undying fan of everything this band puts out. Goldfinger’s passion and hilarity is inherent in every composition, and thus each tune provides a simple and incredible listening experience. I’ve found myself connecting with Goldfinger’s ska-soaked punk rock since childhood, and with their new single “Am I Deaf,” there is no exception.

            Being the first piece of new music released by the band in five years, “Am I Deaf” has been held against a high standard by Goldfinger’s fans. While I am always ever grateful for the music of Goldfinger, many found the new single to be less-than-spectacular (see this review by Death and Taxes), especially after the stylistic experimentation of their last two full-lengths. However, in “Am I Deaf,” there is no pretense of a band trying to recapture what they once had. The track is 50% brutal honesty and 50% audacity, which should be more than enough for even the most temperamental fan to realize that “Am I Deaf” is the real deal.

            The song opens with a heavy, grooving guitar riff, which reaches full force as the band joins in. Darrin Pfeiffer’s steady and energetic drumming pushes the tune through tempo changes, maintaining the groove through the verse before opening a circle pit in the chorus. Despite the uncharacteristic drop tunings, the song’s sound is pure Goldfinger, featuring a plethora of vocal moments that demand crowd participation. “Am I Deaf” also challenges a few musical conventions, featuring occasional syncopated vocal rhythms and an eschewing of the ever-present idea of maintaining a key, yet such progressive thinking only heightens the energy of the tune without sacrificing an iota of beauty. And of course, between the punchy bass tone of Kelly Lemieux and the metal-tinged thrashing of Charlie Paulson, the rhythms of this song demand movement, whether it be headbanging, moshing, jumping, or a terrifying combination of all three.

            Lyrically, this tune is unforgiving in its honesty, as John Feldmann takes a cold-shower assessment of his and Goldfinger’s relevance in music. Every artist is forever terrified by the idea that no one cares, and “Am I Deaf” appears to be this band’s response to that fear. John accepts his distance from the youth that dominates today’s music in lines like “Brush your teeth, comb your hair, what’s left of it / Write a song, see a show, stay relevant;” he then blatantly names his fear in the chorus, stating “Every time it feels just like I lost it” before asking himself “Am I deaf? Or am I just a little left of what they listen to today?” With this song, Goldfinger addresses every fear that dogs the creative mind—Do I have anything left? Does anyone care? Am I still worth listening to? “Am I Deaf” is not an outdated band assaulting today’s music, but rather a group of musicians recognizing their fears, and dealing with them in the best way they know how: beating at their instruments and shouting at the top of their lungs.

            To me, it is clear that “Am I Deaf” is no weak and worthless shout for attention—it’s a promise of more great music and great fun from a group of guys who continue to work together out of love for what they do, despite personal differences (see this article on the recent Australian tour), budding families, successful careers, and other musical projects (Charlie’s been spotted on stage with the Black Hands, while Darrin’s been a regular resident behind the kit with the Salads). Though every step into the future puts them farther from their past, Goldfinger remains a formidable and evolving musical act that undoubtedly still has a lot to say. “Am I Deaf” is a ripping tune with a heavy message, and proves that no matter how old or how apprehensive they’re feeling, Goldfinger is still a band that’s absolutely worth your time.

             "Am I Deaf" is a grooving tune from an incredible band who, despite everything, still emphasize the fun that is central to everything they do, and I can’t recommend it enough. If you haven’t got it yet, I encourage you to download “Am I Deaf” at Goldfinger’sSoundcloud page—they’re offering it for free, a thank you to all who continue to listen as Goldfinger continues to rock. You can catch their equally amazing live show on the Warped Tour this summer (check out the teaser video below).