Riaan Wolmarans
CD OFTHEWEEK
The Goo Goo Dolls made an impressive comeback in 1999 when their powerful ballad Iris shot up the charts after being featured in the filmCity of Angels. The success of their sixth album, Dizzy Up the Girl (Gallo), might have been attributed to the success of that track, but on closer inspection, there’s more to it than just a hit song.
It’s not the album of the year, but it’s a very listenable collection of pop-rock sounds which has since spawned two more hits – the funky Slide and recently Black Balloon, which is still hovering on the charts.
Vocalist John Rzeznik’s gravelly voice, some crashing guitars on the more rock- oriented songs such as January Friend and Amigone, and perfect power-pop singalong melodies make this album a feather in the cap of a band who started off doing cover versions 14 years ago. It provides something for all their fans – those who prefer a harder rock sound, as well as those who hooked on to their other big ballad, Name.
With this album, the Goo Goo Dolls have ensured that they won’t finally be engulfed in the anonymity that befell other late Eighties/early Nineties pop bands, and it makes one all the more excited to see them when they perform in South Africa in March.