Album Review: The Goldstars - The Halloween Album

The Goldstars 

The Halloween Album

**and1/2 out of *****

The Chicago based garage punk/pop outfit The Goldstars look to tackle the spooky season with a new release, directly titled The Halloween Album. The group spent an extended spell backing up the legendary Andre Williams but are now back to delivering original tunes as the thirteen (of course) songs here run the gamut from gimmicky outings to hip shaking rockers. 

The excellent cover art let's you know what you are in for as the band, Matt 'Sal' Favazza (Vocals), Dan 'The Fox' Edwards (Guitar), Johnny Million (Bass), Holly McDowell (Organ), and Charles Collings (Drums) with some added friends along the way, keep things light and fun. The revved up rocker "Let Your Freak Flag Fly (It's Halloween Night)" kicks things off, rattling off a list of unique costume ideas for those feeling creatively challenged. 

Outside of the more theatrical leaning "I Frankesteined U", the tunes are brief and too the point. Organ work, screams and a monsters dance party with 50's style rock and roll appears for "Stroll In Hell" while "Monsters Go Away" delivers whiny/snotty surf rock. A great bass line pushes the ominous "No Halloween" which  features spoken word from Favazza and guest Ken Mottet while "Cabin Rd." adds a touch of rockabilly twang to album. 

One of The Halloween Album's highlights is "Cats, Rats, or Wind" which is howling with a ripping guitar solo and excellent support vocals from Gabrielle Sutton while the jazzy horror tale "New Orleans Ghost Tour Night" mixes up the music style wonderfully. Less successful are the strolling workouts "It's Scary", "Hallowteen" and "Leave Me Alone (A Halloween Song)" with all similar in style and half baked at best.  

The bratty "Want My Damn Candy" closes the album with a folk-punk ramble that finds bratty vocals from Favazza working well. A carefree and jovial affair suitable for all ages, The Goldstars get their holiday spooky on for The Halloween Album.  

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