The Good Goodbyes – Self-Titled
Label: Omnibus Records
Style: Alternative, Indie pop, Bubbles
Released: 2005
My Grade: 3 stars
AMG: n/a
Sounds like: The Shins, Pavement


I remember the day I learned of the alt. rock supergroup, Velvet Revolver. I remember thinking “a music group consisting of Scott Weiland, Slash, and the few remaining petals of what used to be Guns n’ Roses? Hasn’t anyone heard the saying ‘too many cooks spoil the broth?’” It was because of the Velvet Revolver atrocity that I was ever so skeptical about the new indie supergroup, The Good Goodbyes. After a few listens, I was pleased to discover that unlike Scott Weiland and Slash’s radio-friendly brainchild, The Good Goodbyes proved to be exceptionally clever in releasing a four song EP, which is short, sweet, and to the point.

The Good Goodbyes consist of two members from The Shins (keyboardist Marty Crandall and bassist Neal Langford) and Howard Hamilton III who makes up the one man band of The Busy Signals. The fourth (and unaccredited) edition to The Good Goodbyes is drummer Ryan Holmes. All together the foursome sound like what The Shins would sound like if they were found jamming in a meadow surrounded by butterflies. The music is tranquil; it’s actually quite timely that The Good Goodbyes released their EP just in time for spring.

The self-titled EP begins with the song “Unhinged” in which The Shins fraction of the band shine through the most. The song is upbeat, although is deceivingly relaxed. The lyrics betray the good-natured tone, as the song actually is about being unhinged and nervous.

As the EP continues, the music becomes temperamental, but almost silly. The Good Goodbyes sing about eating cold French fries, and dropping dope. Some of the album is uninspired, although still mildly entertaining. The melodies are delicate and cleverly composed; however tend to lose momentum halfway through a given song.
The Good Goodbyes are those too-cool-for-school indie kids, possessing a cool image while not appearing to try. The supergroup must be distracted by their main projects, because it’d be nice if “The Good Goodbyes” contained more evidence of effort. However, I still would take them over Velvet Revolver any day.


Reviewed by: Rachel