Grade: C+
The Goo Goo Dolls didn't need extra keyboards, extra vocals or even a new producer for their new album, "Gutterflower." All it needed was the same old instruments, the signature vocals and a handful of experiences to write about.
In the follow up album to "Dizzy Up the Girl," released in 1998, The Goo Goo Dolls take old school music and make it work the seventh time around.
At age 36, lead vocalist Johnny Rzeznick still sings as if he were in the days of the band's original hit "Name." Nearly three years after their last album, bassist and vocalist Robby Takac returns several pounds lighter, and still contributes his own songs to the album.
Originally called the Sex Maggots, the band formed 15 years ago in Buffalo, N.Y. Success came when their hit "Name" off "A Boy Named Goo" sky-rocketed the then "nameless" band up the charts. After the hit "Iris" appeared on the City of Angels Soundtrack, the band released "Dizzy Up the Girl" which included the hits "Slide" and "Black Balloon," as well as "Iris."
The band released "What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce" in 2001. The CD included a 22-track compilation of what fans missed before "A Boy Named Goo."
The Goo Goo Dolls have now returned with "Gutterflower," a mix of music that surprisingly doesn't sound much different from past albums.
How does Rzeznik, Takac and drummer Mike Malinin succeed in winning its listeners? It's easy ... they do the same thing they've done for the past fifteen years, add more years of yearning and pain, and call it "Gutterflower."
The album's first single "Here is Gone" is not one of the best songs on the album. Not only is Rzeznik back with the same soul he began with, but musically and lyrically the song is the kind you hate to love. Once you hear it, you can't get it out of your head.
It's hard to accuse a successful band like The Goo Goo Dolls of having a weakness, but the album lacks when Takac takes over on vocals. This is not new to the Goo Goo Dolls, however. Takac has contributed to several songs on past albums, but unfortunately none of them have ever had radio potential. So why would fans want to hear something other than Rzeznik? It's tough to say.
Other notable songs on the album include "Big Machine," a powerful and rhythmic album opener about love in vain. On "Sympathy," Rzeznik opens up to the listener singing, "Stranger than your sympathy, this is my apology/ I'm killing myself from the inside out, and all my fears have pushed you out."
Although there are no inadequate songs on "Gutterflower," the lack of growth or change from The Goo Goo Dolls appears to be both the band and album's major weakness. Some of the songs will continue to receive rapid airplay while the other songs will remain unknown to those who do not purchase the album.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
