Review / 200 Words Or Less
Golden City
Golden City

Magic Bullet (2009) Jason

Golden City – Golden City cover artwork
Golden City – Golden City — Magic Bullet, 2009

This eight-song EP is completely and utterly awesome. I really wasn't expecting much from former Christie Front Drive guitar player Eric Richter since last I heard he was in the coma-inducing Antarctic. However, Golden City is just great. I'm having a hard time expressing just great these eight songs really are, but I'm going to try, really, I am.

Imagine if you will, eight songs of super catchy poppy indie rock with shimmering guitars playing simple riffs with more hooks that a Peter Pan convention. If you need band influences, think of Christie Front trying to write the best Promise Ring pop song while trying to recreate Jimmy Eat World's Static Prevails and you get just a hint of the greatness that's going on this self-titled debut EP by Golden City.

This was probably the biggest surprise to hit my review box all year and surely will by on my top 25 by year's end. Simply awesome.

9.5 / 10Jason • October 6, 2009

Golden City – Golden City cover artwork
Golden City – Golden City — Magic Bullet, 2009

Recently-posted album reviews

Silver Proof

Even If It Hurts
Independent (2026)

Some pop punk records feel made for playlists and algorithms. They’re polished into oblivion, emotionally vague, and afraid to get messy. Silver Proof clearly didn’t get that memo. The Buffalo trio’s debut full length, Even If It Hurts, leans heavily into the emotional core of early 2010s emo pop and melody while still sounding energized rather than nostalgic. Across the … Read more

Lice (Aesop Rock & Homeboy Sandman)

Vol. 4: Miami Lice
Rhymesayers (2026)

This EP released kind of suddenly, back in March, right before a bunch of stuff hit the fan in my life outside of SPB. Which means the EP felt sudden, but this review has been stewing for nearly three months with a lot of repeat listening along the journey. At eight songs in length, it's short but sweet, and as … Read more

Various Artists

There Is No Sun - A Tribute To Jay Reatard
Sonic Church (2026)

The late, great Jay Reatard was a prolific master of rock n roll gems. Whether it be with his earlier budget-punk act of his namesake, Reatards, his synth-punk projects Lost Sounds and Angry Angles, or his solo material as Jay Reatard, Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr. was an incredible songwriter. Those aforementioned bands are just a smattering of units he’s been … Read more