Music Review: The Goo Goo Dolls - Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 - The Singles

The evolution The Goo Goo Dolls took in the mid-nineties has always been a hot button subject in the music community. Before the band released their breakthrough album A Boy Named Goo in 1995, the band was mainly a straight-up punk rock band, and they even had a record deal with influential punk/metal label Metal Blade Records.

The Goo Goo Dolls have come a long way from their punk rock roots, and today, most fans know them for the crooning, lovable pop band that wreaked havoc on the world with their single Iris. Now, no one seems to realize this band once had all the spikes and torn jeans to stand up to the best punk acts out there.

As a self-proclaimed music snob, I have to admit that proclaiming your love for The Goo Goo Dolls doesn't give you much street credibility. But I'm just going to come out and say it anyway: I love this band. And even though I've surrounded myself by many other self-proclaimed music snobs that share my disdain for most pop music, I know that, deep down inside, they love the Goo Goo Dolls too. Hell, how many times have I let someone borrow my copy of Dizzy Up The Girl? Many times, trust me.

The Goo Goo Dolls released Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 - The Singles this week, and it has a fairly predictable collection of their best songs, at least, in terms of commercial success. All fourteen songs on this album come from their post-Metal Blade Records days, and most of these songs have had significant airplay over the years. Since the album is Volume 1, we have to assume there will be at least one more Greatest Hits albums that may look back in the past, and give a more rounded collection of songs. But for now, Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 - The Singles provides a good look at some of the Goo Goo Dolls better moments in pop music history.

The album kicks off with their most recent single, "Let Love In," a song with some great guitar work and the typically ambiguous lyrics about love, disappointment, and everything else in between. It's an appropriate start to the album, since most of Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 - The Singles revolves around The Goo Goo Dolls' largest commercial successes. Songs such as "Iris," "Big Machine," and "Slide" are all here, as expected. But then again, what else can you expect from a greatest hits album that focuses solely on the singles?

There were a few songs that, as a fan of their Dizzy Up the Girl period, weren't new to me, but were unexpected to hear on a greatest hits album. "Dizzy," a song that begins with plenty of loud guitars and excellent lyrics as well, is a pleasant surprise, as is their first big single "Name." Other surprises (at least, for me) include "Feel the Silence" and "Before It's Too Late," two of the better songs from their newer material.

For fans of The Goo Goo Dolls, there's not much new here. But for casual listeners or those familiar with their singles, Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 - The Singles could make a great stocking stuffer this Christmas. It's also the first time we've seen The Goo Goo Dolls' best singles put together in one place, and that alone makes it a worthwhile listen. Plus, it's the perfect album to remind yourself that not all pop music is overly processed and just plain bad. There are a few bands out there with some real talent.

Article Author: Kevin Eagan

Kevin Eagan is a Blogcritics Books Editor and (occasional) freelance writer based in the Greater St. Louis, MO area. He also writes at There There Kid, a blog that focuses on literature, culture, and music.

Visit Kevin Eagan's author page — Kevin Eagan's Blog