In interviews, the band often lamented the idea of labeling styles of music and The Gold Record is hard to define. Is it a punk rock album? Classic rock? Pop? It’s actually a little of all of those things. Amazingly, the band pulls off each style with ease and radio-friendly hits. The title is a bit ironic when one thinks that despite 20 years of great music, gold records have alluded the band.
Somewhere around the middle of the decade, The Bouncing Souls moved from New Brunswick to Asbury Park where they became a regular within the local clubs. The song “So Jersey” pays tribute to their new hometown and its musical legacy.
Stepping out of Asbury Lanes
In a midnight snow
The skeleton of this old town
Feels like it’s coming alive
Riots and corruption, beaches and Bruce
These songs were the keys to the engines
Of our growing up
And we wanna say thanks
To the music in our lives
Forgive ourselves for all those lies
Send some love to all the lonely
Don’t forget we’re all one family
Thanks to the music in our lives
For helping us to survive
Lost in one lonely dream,
Born to run and live free
-- “So Jersey”
Highlights include “The Gold Song,” “So Jersey,” “Sound Of The City,” “Sarah Saturday,” and “Lean On Sheena.”
