GOON: Boy Girl Boy

By Ania Glowacz

Goon deserve a far bigger profile than they have. A lot of hard work has clearly gone into this album which features a variety of rock'n' roll styles, moods, atmospheres, and an engaging range of melodies. The songs are catchy and soon get under your skin. The influence of playing live is evident, as is good songwriting! Shades of bands such as Go-Betweens, Placebo, Pavement, as well as more Kiwi and UK indie flavours are in evidence - whew! Goon are a three-piece that started as multi-talented creative artist Christian Nicholson writing songs whilst in London on his OE. He was supplemented with bassist Rochelle Laby and (for this and their previous EP) drummer Gary Lawson, who came from a death metal band. They make for an odd but truly rockin' three-piece, with a raw and tight bottom end. It's a shame Goon's drummers seem to keep moving off. There are some great songs on here - apart from GiveToTake which sounds too much like naff Fu Manchu for my liking. In all a beautifully presented, self-released package that includes hidden tracks as well as four videos. Top value. If you get the chance to see or hear Goon I strongly suggest you do so.

Related Information

Artists

Goon

Issues

NZ Musician

August/September 2007