By: Becky Firesheets
Rating: 8/11

Combining their upbeat, well-balanced blend of pop and punk with new explorations into electronica and dance, Yoni Gordon and The Goods demonstrate true musicianship on their latest release, Turning Chaos Into a Career (self-released, October 2009).   Their chops have definitely improved since their previous album but more importantly, Yoni and The Goods have mixed refined taste with wisely chosen risks while still maintaining their contagious energy, setting up a career with lasting power.

Album starter “Dead But Not Forgotten” is a perfect example of the more mature yet still fun Goods.  The buildup is simple and beautiful with Yoni’s vocals leading for over a minute until passing the melody on to the bells and guitar.  The song continues with a deliciously poppy verse leading into a sing-a-long chorus repeating the title words.  A rockin’ instrumental takes over and the song becomes much more punk, then it all falls back into the sing-a-long set to hand claps. 

This smart and thoughtful composition is seen on almost every song throughout the album.  Tracks like “Polish Hill” and “Motorhead” feature their softer side while “His Nation in Decline” and “Waiting For the World to End” up the hard rock edge.  Whether using synths or accordion, aggressive drum breaks or gentle tom-tom hits, Yoni Gordon and The Goods have seriously considered how their sounds fit together.  Plus, with The Hold Steady’s Franz Nicolay contributing on multiple songs, they’ve also learned how to fit in guests.

“I played a show with him at CMJ and enjoyed his work, so I just sort of emailed him casually and he ended up playing accordion on the record and other little odds and ends,” says Yoni.  “I don’t think that would have happened if I hadn’t moved to New York.”

Since moving here last year while bassist Faisal Aswat stayed in Boston, the band has been working hard to make the transition succeed, playing shows in both cities along with solo shows.  Yoni also picked up busking in the subway for five and six hours at a time, giving him an opportunity to rehearse the album’s tracks. 

“My live shows have a lot more energy and I feel a lot more comfortable interacting with an audience because I’m used to being up on a subway platform with all kinds of different types of people,” he says.  “I really like to play for hours and hours on end.”

To help promote the release of Turning Chaos Into a Career, the band is planning a two-week tour hitting up 13 cities from here to Chicago and back.  “Hopefully we can pick up a little momentum and attention with the release and try to parlor that into something bigger.  Maybe try to get on board with another band, opening up for them in the future,” says Yoni. 

Yoni Gordon and The Goods are bound to pick up momentum with their skillful and interesting take on rock-and-roll.  Check out their next live show on September 28th at Pete’s Candy Store, and stay tuned for more information on their CD release party/Knocks From the Underground Showcase set for October 11th at Cake Shop.