Kerrang!July 24, ’99 GOO GOO DOLLS Former Ramones-ish punks complete their metamorphosis into Bon Jovi. OH DEAR. This isn't good. John Rzeznik loves himself. The beefy, blond-haired frontman of the Goo Goo Dolls is a poser of unforgivable proportions. He paces the stage flexing his muscles, while occasionally indulging in a predictable guitar solo specifically designed to allow him to point sexily at the front row girls. Not that there's anything wrong with big-headedness in rock 'n' roll, but when your band plays lumpen '8Os-style rock that's as relevant as Whitesnake and as sincere as a Bill Clinton confessional, there's really not much to show off about. 'Iris' may have been one of the most played songs in America, but tonight it's just a dreary backdrop to an exercise in cheese-filled showmanship; Boyzone with bigger bouffants, if you like. 'Long Way Down' isn't much better, with its predictable chorus, while 'Slide' sees sexless bass player Robby Takac grinning as if he can't believe that people have finally relented and bought their records. It's amazing what a film soundtrack and some stylish MTV vids can do to a band who have been floundering on the peripherals for a decade and a half. Finally, John indulges in a 10-minute slot of lame jokes and a rant at critics, quoting at great length from a previous review. Well, here's something for you: what a load of schmaltzy, middle-American shite. BEN MYERS |