If birds of a feather really do flock together, then Atlanta nu metal revivalists Silly Goose belong up there with the greats of the genre. Nostalgic and yet impressively fresh, their sophomore offering Keys To the City is a whirlwind of fun that catapults them to new heights of mischief and maturity.
Choosing a name is arguably the most important decision a band ever makes. Not only does it need to be unique and memorable, but in the best cases it should give insight into exactly what to expect from the music. Aptly chosen then is the name of Atlanta three-piece Silly Goose, who’s playfully boisterous style of nu metal has one foot either side of the fence separating authenticity and parody. Produced by Josh Wilbur (Korn, Papa Roach, Trivium), their sophomore LP Keys To The City is laced with the hunger of a band chomping at the bit to make it big. And after one playthrough of this record it’s hard to deny they’re well on their way. Whether encouraging chaos on careless house party anthem ‘Neighbors’ or breakdowns of prehistoric proportion on ‘The Great Dino Escape’, the trio bring their fiery all or nothing approach to every single track. And while the trio aren’t scared of embracing humour in their music, make no mistake: the riffs on this record are no joke.
Opening interlude ‘Intro’ immediately sets the scene: metal spurs on cowboy boots clinking as sand crunches underfoot, the distant caw of a crow radiating through the desert landscape, creaky saloon doors swinging open to lively piano music and bustling bar inside. “Hey Billy, what song you playin’, that Cowboy?” a cartoonishly southern voice hollers over the sound of smashing glass and lively drunkards, “Turn it up!” The distorted riff that bursts through the next track ‘Cowboy’ is an unmistakable blast of nu metal nostalgia sure to have the ears of any Limp Bizkit fan in a five-mile radius perking up. It’s hard to believe this is riff isn’t the brainchild of the band’s legendary guitarist West Borland but the Goose’s own Ian Binion, whose guitarwork across this record excellently encapsulates the best the genre has to offer. For a song condemning highway gridlock in the state capital, album standout ‘Traffic’ paradoxically demands movement with fast, agitated drumming, drop-tuned riffs and amusingly aggressive lyricism that correctly summons the rage of watching another driver pull out in front of you without indicating first. Swaggering titular track ‘Keys To The City’ arrives halfway through the tracklist and is laced with funky basslines, record scratches and a punch-packing chorus that channels nu metal acts both old and new in P.O.D. and Ocean Grove.
Spearheading the definitive rap-rock sound across the record is frontman Jackson Foster, who’s charismatic, machismo delivery ventures between rowdy rapped verses, melodic, crowd-pleasing choruses and unflinchingly rage filled screams on album closer ‘Heart Attack’ and the more hardcore-leaning ‘Now Dance’. Sombre, introspective track ‘Split’ showcases the most impressive feat of the record: an eyebrow raising 17-second scream from Foster that erupts through the breakdown in an explosion of angst. It’s this track that best demonstrates the surprising sincerity Silly Goose are able to deliver on the emotional highpoints of the tracklist despite leaning into a decidedly unserious caricature of nu metal elsewhere on the album. ‘Give Me My Money’ follows up in this more mature vein, the building frustration of an up-and-coming band having to fight promoters, venues and labels for every last cent bleeding through the sauntering basslines and pulsating synths. Considering the majority of their live shows to date have been free guerilla gigs all over the states, it’s no wonder they have such an appetite.
And if there’s one thing Silly Goose know a thing or two about, it’s getting crowds to flock to their shows no matter the location. Their determinedly DIY approach to getting their music to the masses has required equal parts creativity, balls and fan appetite, all of which are in ample supply. Their infamous pop up gigs have seen them perform from their pickup truck in all sorts of places: outside Highly Suspect shows when they followed them for a full US tour in 2023, in a petrol station outside of Lollapalooza – which ended in Foster getting arrested earlier this year – and even in sandwich chain Subway. One look at the crowd reaction to any of these appearances shows from the Denny’s Grand Slam to the stage of Woodstock ’99, Silly Goose have done their homework to know what makes a great live performance. Their killer live show comes to the UK this November in a limited run of headline shows alongside support for Hot Milk’s UK tour. Sadly there won’t be an option to grab a footlong Meatball Marinara mid set for these shows, but there’s more than enough tasty choruses and meaty riffs across Keys To The City to make it worth your while.
Keys To The City by Silly Goose is out now Via Blue Grape Music