The Double Doghouse

hey yall! this week, we’re checking out the second album from Long Island band Edna’s Goldfish – The Element of Transition, released in 1999.

i had never heard Edna’s Goldfish before being recommended this album – its very fun to dig into smaller bands from the late 90s for sure. im reminded in many ways of The Hippos – a small region band during the tail end of the third wave, with a handful of records, that was trying to thread the needle of their ska sounds with a more mainstream pop sound. really tho, the more clear comparison to me is Suburban Legend, specifically in the way they use their brass to augment the pop-rock sound theyre shooting for and even the vocal style and singer Brian Diaz’s delivery. i also had to double check that this came after The Bosstones’ Let’s Face It (which came out in 97, two years before this album) – the brass line in Avoiding the Swerve, the first track after the intro, is def influenced by the Bosstones’ sound at the time. Veronica Sawyer, named after the protagonist of Heathers and full of teenage angst, was deservedly their biggest single – very strong track. Get To You is one of the most consistently ska-y on the record. i was not surprised to find out Robert “Bucket” Hingley of The Toasters executive produced on the album, as it was put out on Moon Ska (the label he founded), and Get To You has a few moments that feel very Toasters descended (especially the way the intro horn line is used and mixed).

on the whole, very fun listen, pretty enjoyable record.

faves – Avoiding the Swerve, Veronica Sawyer, Instant Message, Get to You,
dislikes –

The Elements of Transition – 6/10

i’ll be back next week to listen to Songs for the Deaf, from Queens of the Stone Age – in the meantime, please let me know what album you’d like me to review below!