METAL HAMMERJuly’99 THE GOO GOO DOLLS GIVEN the 'Old Man Ewing' tag that 'Bubbles' Silver has foisted upon me of late (on account that I'm older than he is-though infinitely slimmer), I guess it goes without saying that few of you would even remember early-'90s post-grunge delights like Sloan and Flowerhead (at least one of whom is still going). And yet it is from these acts (who were excellent, I should add) that The Goo Goo Dolls have taken their cue. Already a massive Stateside hit, it is, in fact, a pleasure to hear a band that have built themselves around a wall of non-Manson style rock and whose tunes emulate all that is good in a classic pop song. 'Iris' was the hit that turned things around (it makes them sound like America's version of the Stereophonics), and worthily so. It's fucking fantastic. I recall seeing City Of Angels and this hit home with such emotive power. Yet 'Dizzy', 'Slide' and 'Broadway' prove that The Goo Goo Dolls have even more to offer. Much more in fact. Jeez this is good stuff. (8/10) Jerry Ewing |