Review: My Goodness

Dan MacKnight

    I had the pleasure of seeing My Goodness play the Fête Lounge last week, supporting Augustines on their national tour.  I had never heard of them before,  but I was hooked, and liked them enough to buy their 2011 debut self-titled LP, which hasn’t left my turntable in two days.  This was their first-ever national tour, and their first time playing in New England, so none of us really knew what to expect.  My Goodness won the crowd over with their raw, bluesy sound and commanding stage presence.  They sounded like The Black Keys, but with faster tempos and more impressive drumming, provided by Andy Lum.

Their full-length brings more of that classic Black Keys blues vibe, with the duo of Lum and singer/guitarist Joel Schnieder cranking out blues jams.  “Cold Feet Killer” is my favorite off of that album, with Schnieder’s voice really shining through, switching from effortless singing to screaming with his gravelly voice.
  
 My Goodness recently released the single “Check Your Bones.” The song sounds bigger, fuller than their previous release.  You could probably convince somebody that this is a rare, unreleased Led Zeppelin B-side.  Schnieder really embodies the spirit of Robert Plant (not that he’s dead or anything) as he belts out “Check your bones, you better check em ‘cause it’s gettin’ old.”  The only thing missing is a crazy Jimmy Page-esque guitar solo.  But you know what?  My Goodness isn’t trying to rip off Zeppelin, or the Black Keys, or the White Stripes.  They have a distinct sound, and an energy that the Black Keys sometimes lack, and a chemistry between bandmates that comes through as they shift dynamics and rhythms effortlessly.
  
 I’m really glad that I got to catch this Seattle duo live (They are touring with a bassist as well, but I didn’t catch his name), as I probably never would have heard My Goodness otherwise.  Their LP is fantastic, and “Check Your Bones” is a great single.  I can’t wait to hear what they come out with next. Hopefully My Goodness will return to New England soon, but until then you can check out all their work on Spotify, iTunes, or head to mygoodness.spinshop.com and pick up a physical copy of their album and 7” (The LP comes pressed in a sexy red and black marble 12” vinyl, for all you vinyl collectors).  These guys have a catalogue chock-full of tunes that will get you to bang your head and dance, and then remain stuck in your head for days afterwards.

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Dan MacKnight WBOB Music Writer.