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Shannon
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GGD review at Hammersmith Apollo
« on: Aug 20th, 2007, 10:28am » |
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Goo Goo Dolls
Lisa Verrico at Hammersmith Apollo
Twenty-one years into their career, Goo Goo Dolls remain a minority interest in Britain, but multimillion sellers Stateside.
Originally Replacements-style punks, for the past decade their music has consisted of polished power ballads and widescreen, melodic rockers tailor-made for freeway driving. Hence, it came as a shock to see the Apollo packed with screaming teenagers.
One fan had even brought a toy panda, which she eventually handed to singer John Rzeznik – who is the primary reason for the Buffalo band’s heavily female following.
Rzeznik is a pretty blond with muscular arms and more than a passing resemblance to Jon Bon Jovi. He had a presence that filled the stage, which was just as well because, barring the bassist Robbie Takac – a glorious throwback to 1980s days of poodle hair and headbands – there was little else to look at. Mike Malinin, the drummer, and a pair of hired hands on guitar and keyboards had been banished to the back, there were no props, screens or banners and even the light show was low budget.
Goo Goo Dolls’ rock tends towards the tame, but live; its singalong appeal was obvious. By the second song, Long Way Down, the entire audience had their arms in the air and were vying to take over the chrous. For the ballad Feel the Silence, Rzeznik ditched his guitar to stride across the stage, then curled up as though in pain for the supposedly emotional parts. Fake, maybe, but the fans loved it.
They were less convinced by a trip down memory lane. A handful of vintage tracks were met with blank looks. Excessive soloing didn’t help, and when Takac, lead vocalist on the Dolls’ first two albums, took over for Slave Girl, Spinal Tap sprang to mind.
The new single Before It’s Too Late, from the hit film Transformers, rightly went down a storm, however, and, coupled with a forthcoming Greatest Hits album, could seriously swell the Dolls’ British following.
For now though, it remains Iris, their signature song, staple set closer and only sizeable British hit to date, that steals the show. Finally, Rzeznik allowed the crowd to drown him out and the epic, decade-old ballad proved that it had lost none of its magic.
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tkc1989
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Re: GGD review at Hammersmith Apollo
« Reply #1 on: Aug 20th, 2007, 11:01am » |
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When I get some spare time I'll write a proper review! The show ROCKED...and John isn't blond, and Long Way Down was their opener, and Iris wasn't the set closer...and ergh TOO many mistakes...makes you wonder whether the guy even came to the show 
Oh, and how can he moan that it's 'tame rock music' AND say there was 'excessive soloing'? Make your mind up, son.
OK rant over...for now.
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Shannon
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Re: GGD review at Hammersmith Apollo
« Reply #2 on: Aug 20th, 2007, 11:09am » |
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I can't wait to read your proper review!
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