ALBUM REVIEW: Hearts Of Gold – Dollar Signs

There are some fantastic bands in North Carolina, especially in and around Raleigh and Charlotte. RAIMEE, SOMETHING CLEVER, REASON DEFINE, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, and more. This also includes punk quintet, DOLLAR SIGNS, now signed to Pure Noise Records, as they release their third album, Hearts Of Gold. Whilst the band add a comedic edge to their songs, they would prefer to not be defined in that category; rather a punk album with comedic edges than the other way around. But how does the album fare as an altogether package?

Whilst this is not strictly a “comedy” album, the lyrics have a great comedic tone, but more like a BBC show like Black Books as opposed to something like TENACIOUS D; the lyrics are like funny anecdotes between friends as opposed to jokes and punchlines. Instead of hindering the music, this style of lyric writing actually helps the album a lot, as it shows how clever and witty the members are when it comes to their writing abilities. Songs like I’M AFRAID I MAKE YR DEPRESSION WORSE, NEGATIVE BLOOD, B.O.M.B.S, and I LOVE YOU showcase this talent, mostly because of how real the topics are. Relatable and human are how best to describe the lyrics, which really work in the band’s favour. 

It’s not just the lyrics that make this album, but the music side as well. Pure raw punk energy on display on almost every track. Great guitars, great bass, excellent drums, these guys are extremely talented. Added musical moments, like brass in B.O.M.B.S. are the cherries on top of a delightful punk sponge. Even in the slower moments, there’s an intelligent nature to every note that is played or sung, especially when in communal moments NIHILIST GUNDAM or BAD NEWS. This album is basically if DROPKICK MURPHEYS wrote songs about depression – fun to sing along to because of the excellent melodies intertwined with the punk sound and style, but digging deeper and you find some dark material on display. 

Overall, Hearts of Gold is a very well done album with great attention to detail, a realistic sense of poetry and rhythm, and one that every music fan can relate to, even if they’re not usually a fan of punk music. The lyrics can still surprise you, even after multiple listens, but it’s the music side of DOLLAR SIGNS that holds in the audience and keeps them listening front to back. Definitely worth the listen, and this band is definitely one to watch with whatever they decide to do next. 

Rating: 8/10

Hearts of Gold is out now via Pure Noise Records. 

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