antiReviews:
Goo
Goo Dolls - Gutterflower
Review by antiGUY
Goo
Goo Dolls - Gutterflower
Label: Warner
Brothers
Rating:
Tracks: Big Machine
Think About Me
Here Is Gone
You Never Know
What A Scene
Up, Up, Up
It's Over
Sympathy
What Do You Need?
Smash
Tucked Away
Truth Is A Whisper
“Gutterflower” is the logical follow-up
to the Goo Goo Dolls chart-topping “Dizzy Up The Girl”. These alt-rockers
turned syrupy ballad producing heart-throbs may have waited four years
to release an album of new material but they pick up right where they left
off.
Sure there is some controversy with the
Goo Goo Dolls, when their song “Name” became an unexpected megahit and
made big stars out the struggling band, who had always put a ballad on
their otherwise hard rockin albums. From that point on, a change happened
in the group, they seemed to embrace the softside of their personalities
and left their hard-edge, yet still amazingly melodic in their wake as
they rushed head first to superstardom. The band acknowledged this change
when it came time to release a compilation last year, a best of package
called “What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce” that really
did pay homage to the band’s roots and offered the newfound fans a glimpse
at what they band used to be all about.
Ok we know Robbie is still a rocker at
heart but it appears Johnny Rzeznik is once again calling the shots. So
with Gutterflower the band sounds closer to the Wallflowers or Gin Blossoms
than Soul Asylum. This is a bad thing if you are a long time fan of the
group’s original sound but good news if you like the softer more radio
friendly version of the band. Let’s face it, these guys aren’t stupid,
they know what it’s like to struggle to make it by staying true to your
roots and then to find success with a more polished sound. If you were
in their shoes which way would you go? So the bottom line is the Goo Goo
Dolls have found their formula for success and aren’t about to stray from
it. If you are a fan of “Dizzy Up The Girl” then you should find a lot
to love about “Gutterflower” because the band has honed their more commercial
side and go ahead full throttle in that direction. If you were looking
for a return to old-school Goo Goo Dolls then the bad news is, you won’t
find it here except in fleeting moments and it may be gone for good as
they keystone to their sound.
Posted by mrs. rzeznik:
I LOVE JOHNNY! Anyone who has anything bad to say about him will have to mess with me. He has a beautiful voice, and he's the hottest guy in the world. Not only does he sing and write, but he looks unbelievably gorgeous the whole time. where would the world be without the goo goo dolls? i just had to add that to my previous comment. I LOVE JOHNNY!
Posted by mrs. rzeznik:
i love gutterflower! i also love the sound of johnny's voice and the tone of the music...everything about it! i hate most of robbie's songs though. he must have written them when he was high or something. i love johnny rzeznik!!!
Posted by therese:
Like Mr. Rzeznik says, if you can write something better, go for it.
Posted by The Goobernator:
im proud to say that i've been a hardcore GGD fan for about 8 years now and this little 'sell out' controversy is a bit...overplayed. The Goos have changed. Deny it and you're lying. It's very simple - change is good. I have all their CDs except for Jed...which isnt too fantastic. Anyway...if you're into my Goos, please take a look at 'SuperStar Carwash', 'Dizzy Up The Girl' and 'A Boy Named Goo'. Of course I'm assuming you're already listening to your new Gutterflower CD at this very moment so I need not include that.
Honestly, Robby Takac may not be the most attractive man out there but his voice (although scratchy) really shows most of the emotion in these lyrics. John Rzeznik...need I say more? Yes. I can't say I've ever seen a more talented singer. And back to the sell outs? Let's take a gander at Britney Spears. Tben come back and talk about my Goos, alright? If you're into a real sound, check em out - you won't be sorry.
My suggestions:
Hardcore Rockers, rock to 'Hold Me Up' or 'First Release' which feature a lot of Robby...aka rockin
Interested in their pop sound? CDs like 'Dizzy Up The Girl' and 'Gutterflower' will work ya.
Oh, and for all those who don't know a THING about my Goos? 'Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce' is the CD for you, featuring a rotund look at these amazing boys.
Hope you enjoy the greatest sound we've dug up thus far :)
Posted by Sarah:
well I love all of the Goos music...from First Release to gutterflower. And I love both Robby and Johnny's voices..they are awesome and they so definitly have NOT SOLD OUT!! They have matured as musicians...think about it if you still listened to the same music you did when you were younger you would probably wonder what you were smoking. I know I do.....so they have just grown up.
Posted by Caroline:
IT IS AMAZING!!! THE GOO GOO DOLLS ARE THE BEST!!!!
Posted by a girl named goo:
I loved the Gutter Flower CD! I started with this CD, and then worked my way back to their other CD's. When I found out that there was another guy singing (Robby) I understood why his songs weren't on the radio - they are good, but I hate his voice. He should just let John sing all the songs. The Goo Goo Dolls are deffinatley the best band around! I lvoe them!!
Posted by MorningView:
Personally, I think the GGDs rock. Sure, they've changed a lot over the years...but things change. People evolve. That's the only way we grow. And I think it's great that they're exploring new things with their music. I'm loving every second of it. Plus, they not so hard on the eyes...=)
Posted by the4thgoo:
hey Goo's suck ass and div u need to shove it up your butts both of u the goo goo dolls are the greatest band ever i dont give a crap wat u guys think i think they kick ass there hasnt been a day thats gone by that i havnt listened to them for at least 2 hrs/day in forever if the goos arent good the who the hell is and wat is up with all u writers saying that they picked up where dizzy... left off thats bull crap the goos might b writing slightly better music than they used to but they've def. gone back to the punk days im out
Posted by Austin powers:
im sorry but if you were a real goo fan you would know that this hasnt taken a softer approach at all due mainly to johnny's divorce. it has brought out once a differant side to the goo goo dolls which they use and adapt to their music. and if u dismiss them cuz they can make quality slow ballads then what are u on about. this is a band that has been around and knows how to make decent music, so to dismiss them without knowing is plain ignorant
Posted by Dakota:
I think all of the Goo Goo Doll's albums are great, including Gutterflower. And anyone who thinks otherwise is just plain tharn. Oh, and for your information, Mr. I hate the Goo Goo Dolls, Robby does not sound like "A dying old woman" and John DOES NOT "Look like a pansy".
Posted by danielk22@wp.pl:
i really like the goo goo dolls i heard them first time in 1997 and i love it they are the greatest band on the world
Posted by Karen Okane:
I THINK THE GOO GOO DOLLS ARE AN AMAZING BAND. THEY ARE VERY TALENTED GUYS. EVERY TIME THEY ARE IN HOUSTON FOR A SHOW IM RIGHT THERE WITH THEM . THEY SURE DO KNOW HOW TO ROCK A STAGE. I HOPE THEY COME BACK TO HOUSTON SOON.
JOHN YOUR AN AWESOME WRITER. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
THE GOO GOO DOLLS ARE THE ONLY BAND IM IN LOVE WITH THEY ARE THE BEST.
Posted by Robby Rocks:
i love that Mr.Takac!
=)
~heidi~
Posted by heidi:
the best song is....Hate This Place, and Domino. Superstar Carwash was the best cd. All Eyes On Me makes me cry.
Posted by heidi:
robby takac is the best!
Posted by googoofinatic:
ok that greg surro or something he plays guitar hes fricken hot i went to see gutterflower last night in grand rapids michigan and the goo goo dolls are fricken awesome!!!!
Posted by Amanda Thompson:
well i think the goo goo dolls are the best i am going to thier concert in feb 20 in toronto hopefully i have to wait until the tickets are getting sold and Johnny is sooooooooo.......god damn hot yeah i know and all of them and thier music is awsume like awwwww.Man i am like obsessed with the Goo Goo Dolls i love thier song Slide and Irisand Big machine and much much more if i had the chance to meet them OH MY GODD I WOULD BE SO HAPPY AND WOW! WELL I am probably not the only one that loves them but when i like hear thier songs on the radio or my cds i like feel lke i am going to faint its wierd or is it becuasse im like dieing
My name is Amanda Thompson
I live in Alliston Ontario IM 15 years old.
i have liked the GOO GOO DOLLS SOO MUCH for like 7 years when i first started getting into music like i would love to meet the Goo Goo dols and thier music is the best i have to say thats lke the only thing i listen too besides if im at a party or dance then i have no choice what to listen too..
Also it is cool how they are on tour its wicked.
ps i love you John
Posted by Zthorns:
More of the same from a band that used to provide some solid rock tracks. I can listen to one of these cuts but then it's time to move on. Anyone interested in the old Goo Goo Dolls should check out the Gelheads. I caught them on the Warped tour and damn if they didn't have the old GGD sound.
Posted by RobbyGooPunk:
I love the goos and always will. I think Robby needs to be able to sing more because he is awesome. For all of you who don't like Robby...you're obviously stoned. And for everyone who goes "the goos are sell outs, man...they sold out" I guess you dont know what selling out is. In order to sell out you have to do something that you don't want to. The goos are proud of every song they've ever written. So for those of you who think they sold out, it shows how much you know. I luv RobbyGoo...rock on GGD!
Posted by gutterƒlower(W):
i think that the goo goo dolls should continue the way theyre going. as long as they have fun they should do things their way! plus, all their CD's rock! even gutterflower! the goo goo dolls rock! now and forever! keep the goo goo doll pride! -i love you johnny, robby & mike!-
Posted by third goo peace:
i think gutterflower is a really good album but i dont think its as good as boy named goo.and no they didnt sellout theyre just doing more mainstream stuff and what is wrong with that ? even huge bands are doing more mainstream stuff like U2 and bon jovi.
personnaly i think that the goos are one of the best bands of today heres my favorite bands list (goo goo dolls , our lady peace , third eye blind , garbage , creed , alanis morissette , placebo and fuel) the goo goo dolls rock they always did and always will.
Posted by RabenRob:
Gutterflower rules just like all their other albums.
I must say that the goo goo dolls are one of the best bands around even if I personally don't like many of the songs written by Robbie. I have nothing against him singing but I hope they will let Johnny do the writing in the future, coz honestly Robbie's last good song was Amigone and everything after that sounds too much alike.
Posted by gutterflower is a cop out:
Gutterflower doesn't compare to the multiple hit wonder of Dizzy up the Girl. I liked the harder sound of dizzy. Gutter is too soft, too much made for pop radio. And i had wished for more soloing by johnny. aaa well, i hope they don't continue this way on their next album. Soon they'll be labeled as pop rock, if they already aren't. I just came from their Florida concert and they still put on a greaat stage performance either way.
Sibaroochi@hotmail.com
Posted by Goos Suck ass:
I don't know what y'all are smoking. But Goos suck ass. Robby's voice sounds like a dying old woman and johnny looks like a pansy. What a sell out. y'all need to wake up to reality.
Posted by Div:
the same. sad, but these guys are selling out.
Posted by brian:
I bought the cd "gutter flower" as soon as it came out, and let me tell you as soon as I bought it, I could'nt stop listening to it. I don't no about the music changen, but what I do know is that the cd is just as good as the others, even if it's softer. to tell you the truthe, it's not all that soft "truth is a whisper" and "what a scene" and "what do you need?" are pretty hard hitting songs, just in a different way. the goo goo dolls way.
Posted by Katrina:
I absolutely love the Goo Goo Dolls, and love Gutterflower just as much! I think that it is the most honest about their feelings (especialy Johnys) that Goos have ever got. I also think that anyone that says that robby shouldn't sing is just ignorant of his talent!
Posted by Bren11:
hey, yeah.. i think gutterflower is going to be another great corner stone for this band.. thogh i disagree that they've gone the softer route with this album.. the only real soft track is here is gone.. the other tracks (with the exception of the two days-like sympathy) is in my opinion harder than anything found on dizzy up the girl.. the album to me is very moody which is unlike dizzy up the girl.. in my opinion gutterflower is like superstar carwash with the attitude of a boy named goo.. except this time as a band they had more money to put into it and were able to get different sounds for each song. my favoruite song on the album is definately big machine.. but i saw them perform Truth is a Whisper in concert and i completely fell in love with it.. the album is everything i had come to expect from the band, and i love it!
Posted by kiwi:
I've heard some people are having trouble with their internet presale ticket password, and I'm one of them. Can anyone help me?
Posted by JanuaryFriend:
I LOVE gutterflower! In fact, my best friend has it right now..she stole it. But ever since Superstar Carwash, I've loved everything this band has done. They have my mind, but matchbox 20 will forever have my heart and soul. ;)
Posted by L'von:
I'm not a person to really go overboard with a group, but the Goo Goo Dolls are definately one group I will rave over. I didn't really hear of them until Iris was released and now have their albums 'superstar carwash' up. Not a dud track on any of their albums - not often you find that. It continues with Gutterflower. Like their other albums it has great music and intelligent lyrics and the vocals of both John and Robbie are great.
I wouldn't hesitate recommending this CD to anyone.
Posted by dizzyangel89:
i think that they are not a "syrupy ballad producing" band. they are the best thing that ever happened to music and if u ppl cant see that then u are blind AND deaf!!!
gutterflower is awesome and the goo goo dolls are the only band that deserves any praise because they kick butt. thanx for ur time.
Posted by Nathan Thomas:
If you can write lyrics like John's 'Sympathy'( my absolute favourite song next to name) then you can't go wrong by me. I'm glad that they have softened up a bit, for it would be a shame if no one could hear the magical lyrics and John's intens voice!
And no I'm not gay. I just like good music.
Posted by Reanna!=):
i love gutterflower..
i saw there concert last nite and it was AWSOME!
they are a great band and johnny's writting is amazing.. and its just Great to still have them around.. they will be around for a long time!
Posted by Carrie:
I think gutterflower is fantastic, i love the goo goo dolls, old and new, everyone changes. This sound isnt better than before or worse just different. I love 'what a scene'
Posted by susana:
I love gutterflower.i think the album as the logic follow up to dizzy up the girl,has some great stuff inside,songs like big machine and truth is a whisper are my favourites.And rzeznik has made a great job with the lyrics,as he did with dizzy up the girl.
i also like their previois stuff,although prefear the latest.Anyway is a matter of opinion,but readind some critics,anyone could think that the old goos like to tomillions of people,and i don't really remember them seling records on that time,so,please,don't be false.most of us loved the band since dizzy up,and we will love whatever they do since now :)
Posted by May:
I certainly think that with "Gutterflower," the Goo Goo Dolls are leaning more towards the softer, radio-friendly, easy-sounding guitar riff styles, however, if you're a true Goo Goo Dolls fan, you'll love this cd anyway, like me. Yeah, i certainly enjoyed their older stuff (i.e. Superstar Car Wash), but you gotta grant them that they weren't doing too well at that time with their harder rock stuff, so when the time came, they had to change their style, for their own good, and now it kind asticks with them. Everyone changes, and sometimes you can't help it. I'm constantly looking forward to any Goo Goo Dolls material. Although Dizzy Up the Girl was such a huge success, it was too pop for me, maybe not Dizzy and Hate This Place. I must say that Gutterflower is an awesome album, and the lyrics aren't just about love gone wrong. A lot of work and energy was put into this album, even though it is somewhat softer and more laid-back. Hey, I'm cool with that, it's the Goo Goo Dolls!!!
