Music : Gutterflower

In association with Amazon.com

Rating:

- Because only half the songs are good
Most of the goo goo dolls famous songs, like "Sympathy" and "Big machine", were written by the band's frontman. These songs are great; I have no problem with them. But the other half of the album has songs written and sung by another band member, and they are truly horrible, unless you like corny sounding country rock/ballad music.
When I heard the rest of the songs, I was really dissapointed. Maybe you might disagree, but I'm the kinda person who likes bands like The Shins, The Strokes, The Vines, The Hives, etc. Try any of the bands for much, much better music.

Rating:

- Disappointing
After smash albums like "A Boy Named Goo" and the even bigger "Dizzy up the Girl" the Goo Goo Dolls release "Gutterflower." Gutterflower's tracks are basically ballads that are regurgitated forms of past hits like Slide and Iris. The lyrics are cliche, and the music is boring and uniform on all the tracks. This album adds nothing to the Goo Goo Doll's style or sound. It was a very safe release, and it's pretty easy to see why it sold well...it seems as if it was engineered to appeal to the public.

If you really want to hear the Goo Goo Dolls at their best, go out and listen to "Dizzy up the Girl." It is arguably the best album the Dolls produced. Granted, songs like Slide and Iris border on the pop, but other songs on the album like Dizzy give the album some depth. Even metallic songs like January Friend and Extra Pale have some meaning. It is, on the whole, an evocative album.

Rating:

- Goo Goo Dolls, "Gutterflower"
"Gutterflower" is a great example of why the Goo Goo Dolls have sustained a healthy music career. Although no new ground is unveiled, "Gutterflower" is an excellent follow-up to "Dizzy Up the Girl".

"Here Is Gone", the first radio single, showcases the Dolls ability for crafting formulatic harmonies which fans have grown to love. "Big Machine", "Think About Me" and "Sympathy" follow in the same vein.

It seems the Dolls have been slotted for Adult Alternative radio; which is unfortunate since fans of all ages have a greater apprecation for what they have to offer.

John Rzeznik and gang have put together a solid effort that die hard fans will enjoy. Unfortunately, Warner Brothers did not make much an effort to promote this CD. And shame on them for that. "Gutterflower" had the potential to be a HUGE album.

Also recommended: The Beautiful Letdown, Switchfoot

Rating:

- These guys rock
I can't tell you much, this is the only Goo Goo Dolls album I own - there I said it. I am surely getting another CD of theirs soon. Ya know, I don't get why Robby is taking so much bad rap here. All of the Robby songs on this CD are some of my favorites. He's a good singer, though still not nearly as great as John. I like all of his songs on this CD a lot.

Big Machine - 7.8/10
This is the reason (along with Here is Gone) that I got this CD, only to be blown away when I listened to all of the other stuff never played on the radio.

Think About Me - 9.4/10
Not much I can say about it in specific. I especially like the guitar in this song and the whole thing just rocks!

Here is Gone - 8.2/10
See the comment for Big Machine. The way they wrapped up this song was just awesome.

Ya Never Know - 8.5/10
The first Robby song on the CD and I think it's great. It took me awhile to like this particular song but it's definitely a keeper.

What A Scene - 7.5/10
The darkest feeling song on the CD. The guitar is great, and the "na na na" part is really cool, but when you carry it out for a minute and forty seconds, it starts to get a bit boring unless you can't get enough of this song.

Up Up Up - 11/10
This song is killer! Best one on the whole CD! I can't get enough of the melody (especially the chorus) and the guitar, while simple, is awesome - particularly at the end when it begins to fade out after a while. It's really a shame it's so short. ;_; A three minute masterpiece.

It's Over - 9.6/10
I absoluely love the singing on this song, and the melody is excellent. Wonderfully done.

Sympathy - 9.3/10
Another short song, but still awesome. It's all acoustic and the banjo or whatever it was accompanying the guitar was an excellent decision. Sad lyrics though.

What Do You Need? - 9.6/10
I've had this CD for a couple of years and the guitar in this song still gives me goosebumps.

Smash - 9.8/10
Robby needs to start making his songs longer. This one's 2:36 I think. This is a great upbeat song with a happy sounding melody. Again, I like the way they wrapped up this song.

Tucked Away - 9.6/10
This is the only song on the CD that sounds kinda punkish (except for maybe Ya Never Know), and I love it. Awesome verses, and a great chorus.

Truth is a Whisper - 5/10
This is the only song on the CD that I do not like. I don't like the melody, and the guitar doesn't catch me at all. Sorry guys.

I have heard lots of their songs from earlier CDs on launchcast internet radio. All I can say is these guys really rock.

Rating:

- Yeah Goo Goo Dolls!!!
I absolutely love the Goo Goo Dolls and thought this album was one of their best!! Great buy!

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