PowerPlaySeptember ’01 THE GOO GOO DOLLS
The Goo Goo Dolls are huge in the States - and I mean huge - we're talking singles with over a million plays on the US radio. However, they have meant diddly-squat on this side of the pond, with people maybe knowing 'Iris' from the film City of Angels. I presume this compilation of remixed tracks is still aimed at the US as all the big singles from 1998's "Dizzy Up The Girl" have been omitted; this is a 22-song catch-up, covering six albums for those with just "Dizzy..." or those who liked the singles on the radio. Respect, however, must be given to the band for sticking to their beliefs from 1987 to 1995, before their first big hit, as their style has largely remained unaltered. I bought "Dizzy..." on the back of comparisons and press hype, and whilst it contained good songs, there was a shiny veneer over the album that didn't agree with me. It's the type of production that all of the songs that feature on 'Soft Rock' and 'Driving Rock' compilations have, and the type that Texas employ on their rockier moments. Such production strips all quirks and personality from artists; compare Bryan Adams' "Waking Up the Neighbours" and any Mutt Lange produced Def Leppard album for more proof. But you have to wonder if the band wanted that, as Rob Cavallo's production on the Tsar album is superb. So the sound mark given should be very high or very low, but I'll be generous on one of the three. The reason I'm making such a point about the production is that by song six, I'm desperately in need of something different. There's only so much shiny stuff my ears can take. It's perfect for radio, but for listening to consecutively, it's candyfloss overload. Some people will love this - the ones who buy the aforementioned compilations and like Matchbox 20 and their ilk, and you can't knock the quality of the songwriting which is basically like an updated Del Amitri, when they went soft rock. It's the type of bands that Radio 1 call rock, but which we laugh at. Individually, I can take all the songs; on my computer's random MP3 selection I'd appreciate one every so often, but not back-to-back, especially when the vocals begin to sound whiny and irritating on the earlier material, although the production is less fluffy for this era, with the band exhibiting character. Despite the shorter number of tracks, I'd recommend "Dizzy..." rather than this to newcomers who like soft rock. I just wish that radio, both here and in the States could make that very small step into non-bland power-pop bands such as Marvelous 3, Tsar and SR-71. The world would be a happier, less mundane place. Sound: 8/10
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