Goo Goo Dolls - Something For The Rest Of Us Album Review

Four years after 'Let Love In' comes studio album number nine from Buffalo natives Goo Goo Dolls. Still best known for 'Iris', the trio have sold over 10 million albums and have had prestigious nominations for four Grammy Awards. Having spend the first half of this year touring the USA, they return to the UK for shows in November.

Having long-established their style of accessible rock, it comes as no surprise that Goo Goo Dolls' formula remains intact here, as exemplified by the A listing of lead single 'Home' on Radio 2. Catchy given a couple of listens, the rousing guitars and impassioned vocals from John Rzeznik are found throughout the record. 'Nothing Is Real' has the kind of chorus that gets arms swaying at festivals, while 'Still Your Song' just about manages to convey the pain of admitting not being able to move on from a former love. The couple of tracks featuring bassist Robby Takac are also fairly strong, particularly 'Now I Hear', though his vocals don't power a track like his bandmate's. Rzeznick resumes centre stage for the final two offerings, 'Hey Ya' and 'Soldier', which prove a fantastic way to end the album. The former is a huge anthemic sing-a-long while the latter takes a darker tone before opening with a powerful hook. Like the rest of the record neither are likely to win over too many new followers, but for the converted it is exactly what is required and enjoyed.

Alex Lai