Goldmine

June 15, 2001 | Issue 545

GOO GOO DOLLS
Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce
Hollywood Records and Third Rail Records, Inc. (68109-2)

At this level in their 15-year career, it's really no surprise that the chart-topping Goo Goo Dolls have a new retrospective album ready for release for the overseas market (to land in the U.S. soon), modestly titled Ego. Opinion. Art & Commerce.

The album contains 22 original songs from the Goos' six studio albums and were personally selected by Johnny Rzeznik (guitar and vocals), Robby Takac (bass and vocals), and Mike Malinin (drums).

This highly collectible band sat down with producer Rob Cavallo and remixed all but one of the songs - "Two Days In February," which was re-recorded for this compilation. The original song was recorded outdoors - hence the sound of the cars passing by in the background. But on the new studio version, the sense of calmness and a more sophisticated flavor fills the air.

From their self-tilled debut album to Dizzy Up the Girl, Goo Goo Dolls have grown as musicians, and it's noticeable on Ego. An unmasked surprise is on "Acoustic #3" with a portion of the track highlighted by a newly added string ensemble.

The song titles, found on Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce read as follows: from Dizzy Up The Girl (released in 1998 by Warner Bros., and to this date has sold more than four million records worldwide) "Bulletproof," "All Eyes On Me," "Amigone," and "Acoustic #3"; from A Boy Named Goo (1995 Warner Bros./Metal Blade Records, reached double-platinum) "Naked," "Ain't That Unusual," "Burnin' Up," "Flat Top," and "Name", from Superstar Car Wash (1993, Warner Bros./Metal Blade Records) "Fallin' Down," "Second Time Around," "Cause You're Gone," "We Are The Normal," "Girl Right Next To Me," "Lucky Star" and "On The Lie"; from Hold Me Up (1991, Metal Blade Records) "Just The Way You Are," "Two Days In February," "Laughing" and "There You Are"; from Jed (1989, Metal Blade Records) "Up Yours"; and from Goo Goo Dolls (1987, Mercenary Records) "I'm Addicted." Combined, these cuts make this collection one heck of an Ego trip!

(For more information on Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce, go to the band's Web site at www.googoodolls.com.)

Renee Daigle