GOO GOO DOLLS: A Boy Named Goo
This record finds the Dolls still in search of the ultimate
melodic punk-pop groove. Johnny Rzeznik searches with his guitar,
coming up with beautiful riffs and melodic counter-riffs, while
Robby Takac probes with his bass and finds a disciplined, almost
perfect bottom end. The search takes them through the whole spectrum
of modern rock, from punk to breezy acoustic pop.
"Eyes Wide Open" and "Long Way Down"
have the kind of killer hooks that wheedle their way into your
brain and squeeze out the juice. "Ain't That Unusual"
continues the straight-rockin' Paul Westerberg vein the Goos began
with last year's "Superstar Car Wash." Punk rock reigns
on "Disconnected" and the fantastic, garage-y rendition
of "Slave Girl,"
(Warner Bros./Metal Blade) **** (out of a possible 5)
If anyone is entitled to capitalize on the current punk
rock boom, it should be Buffalo, New York's Goo Goo Dolls. They
were playing hyperactive riff-rock punk-style way before it hit
the suburbs, and they'll probably be playing it long after it
all comes crashing down (if it ever does). The Goos' humor, energy,
and kryptonitelike power blends in a way that few bands can muster,
and the result sends headbangers, punk rockers, jocks, and alterna-heads
alike into cataleptic fits. Not to mention that their fifth and
latest record, "A Boy Named Goo" sounds fucking great.
a cover written by Australia's once-fabulous Lime Spiders. "Fuckin'
up takes practice/I feel I'm well rehearsed," Johnny sings
during the reggae-ish break to "Only One." Sounds like
Green Day could take a lesson or two from the Goos. Why not jump
on this train before it's too late?"
-Bob Gulla