John Rzeznik, your songs inspire me in ways that words can't describe. You write from your heart and soul and that's what writing should be all about. My favorite is "Acoustic #3". This is my only CD where I don't skip one song. I love them all.

Thank you, Johnny, Robby and Mike for making such great music and for sharing it with the rest of the world.

I definitely recommend this CD for any music lover.


Buy this CD   January 4, 2000
Sheila Baston
21 out of 24 found this review helpful

Wow. I have to say, I became a fan of Goo Goo Dolls with Iris. I'd heard Name on the radio when it came out but didn't think anything more of it. Then I heard Iris. It is such a beautiful song that captures the movie perfectly--I never got tired of hearing it. This is my first Goo Goo Dolls CD purchase and I love it. I'd give it 5 stars but for the fact that Robbie's songs are not my cup of tea (sorry). It's interesting, though, to hear how different his style is from John's. I bought Hold Me Up and it's just not a sound that I enjoy.

So what if they've gone mainstream with DUTG! I am one of millions who wouldn't have heard their music otherwise and might not have given them a second listen. I'm looking forward to their next record because it's very clear their sound is evolving (as it should) and I look forward to where they're going next, though I think I'm going to buy A Boy Named Goo. Some of my favorite songs include Dizzy, Black Balloon, and the unbelievably sad Acoustic #3. I don't know from where in his heart John was writing that one but I wanted to put my arms around him and hug him. It's a wonderful song and if you don't buy the CD, you'll never get to hear it. I think we've all been in that place from which it was written. You're a great songwriter, John.


dreamaway   December 27, 1999
googirl (mv, maryland)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

If John's voice and lyrics didn't completely captivate you on previous goo albums, give them the second chance that they deserve! With their new drummer Mike in tow, John and Robby have again produced an album full of feeling and great passion. If you already own other CDs by this group, this is a must-have-you can see the way that they have changed as a band since A Boy Named Goo. Not only are the words more "deep" unforgetable theme from that movie "City of Angels"; "Black Balloon", and "Slide", all three of which everyone has heard about twenty million times on the radio! Other great songs on this album are "Amigone"(even though Robby's voice will nevre compare to John's) and "Bullet Proof", reminicent of days with many guitars. On a softer note, "Acoustic #3" is a beautiful song. THIS IS AN AWESOME ALBUM WITH GREAT SONGS!

This is one of the few albums that i can play over and over by any artist. i don't find robby's voice obnoxious, and actually like it. you have to give him credit, going from the lead singer to basically a back-up, with john the center of attention all the time (understandibly). and not to mention mike, the drummer, who many people still refer to as 'george'...

This cd is a great effort from john, robby, and mike. they have come a long way from the sex maggots. john writes great lyrics that actually mean something, he and robby sing their hearts out. and mike plays the drums, a very important part that people rarely notice, but without him, they would sink.

Play this cd straight through once. then listen to the songs that you liked. then go back and listen to the songs you thought you hated. you will really be suprised how much you may have misjudged these guys thefirst time around.


This isn't like... it's love   March 17, 2006
Enna (Ohio)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Like a lot of people (possibly) I got this C.D. especially because of Iris, which was an amazing song I had orginally heard off of City of Angels. I absolutely fell in love with Johnny's vocals. I asked for this C.D for christmas and when I didn't get it, I went out and bought it anyway. I am so glad I did. Here's a break down by song:

Dizzy 4/5: An excellent way to stat off the album with rocking guitars, a softer chorus, and unbelievable vocals

Slide 5/5- This is personally one of my favorites on this album. It has great lyrics and it creates a perfect feel to it.

Broadway 4/5- The greatest thing about this song is the lyrics which are really meaningful and convey a great message. But not one of my particular favorites

January Friend: 4/5 One of the better Robby vocals, but personally I perfer Johnny's style. But it's an overall nice song

Black Ballon 6/5: For me this one is off the scale!!! I LOVE this song. The vocals are the best on the album and I love the lyrics. I definetly recommend it

Bullet Proof: 4/5 A very good song I esp. love the pre-chorus and the chorus. Great vocals.

Amigone: 3.5/5: Another Robby song, still among the strong ones for him... but I really don't enjoy the lyrics on this one that much

All Eyes On Me 5/5: The minimalist approach really works out for this simple yet brilliant song. For this songs it's not so much about the vocals, but the brilliantly crafted lyrics. Very good.

Full Forever 2/5: I usually skip this song. Advice to the Goos: Robby's a good singer, true, but it's Johnny who has the really unique and appealing voice. Plus the lyrics aren't that good

Acoustic #3 4/5: Soft, short, sweet, totally complete

Iris 5/5: Probably one of the Goos most popular songs. For a good reason obviously. This song is so full of passion, Johnny's amazing pipes, and of course the guitar solo! The reason I got into the Goo Goo Dolls in the first place

Extra Pale 2/5: the problem with this song is it's so forgetable! I've listened to this C.D so many time but it took me so long to remember this song. And then I remembered that I didn't like it. Oh well

Hate This Place 4/5: This is an amazing song. A good way to end an overall amazing C.D

I DEFINETLY recommend this C.D. It's probably one of my favorite C.D's in my collection. Excepting Full Forever and Extra Pale this C.D is off the hook. It's a must have for anyone who likes the softer sidfe of rock


It just keeps selling and selling and.............   March 22, 2000
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

This is mostly Johnny Rzeznik's album in terms of sound and in terms of what commercially appeals to most people - and it works. Scoff if you will at some of the ballads, these songs cut through the junk and really hit home with a great many people. Despite the Goo's punk past and this album's rock and roll label, there's a protective sheen to this album that never lets it get too heavy or out-of-control, despite the wayward subjects sung about. "Dizzy" might be the ultimate Goo Goo Dolls song in their new age, a Johnny Rzeznik tune that mixes the lustful with the romantic, the melodic with the harder-edged. "Slide" and "Broadway" are two more jangly gems, the latter covering Rzeznik's usual themes of making it in an ultra-tough world, losing sight of your ambitions, and just plain drinking too darned much. Of course, Rzeznik's partner, Robby Takac, gets a few chances to shine as well, starting with "January Friend" and quickly establishing himself as Rzeznik's wicked stepbrother in crime. As on prior albums, his zesty, all-systems-go tunes go a long way towards breaking up the sentimental aura his buddy always conveys. Heartache is quickly reestablished, however, on the achingly beautiful "Black Balloon," where the electro beginning and end is almost as good as the main song; songs like this really capitalize on Rzeznik's touching strength as a songwriter. And there's more. "Acoustic 13" is one of the most wrenching, heartbreaking songs ever created - nothing but Rzeznik, his guitar, and a light string section in the background - followed by another depressing tune of sorts - the little known "Iris." Takac's awesome "Full Forever" brings back some thrusting punk energy, but the album fittingly ends with the bleak "Hate This Place," rightly capping off a batch of songs where both narrators keep longing for something different all along. "Hate This Place" is definite single material, yet almost too personal and good to be played via radio. Overall, there's a weary, big-city feel to these songs; you can almost envision these guys lugging from city to city in a fancy bus, just waiting to belt out these sing-along anthems. As is the case with all great bands, the Goo's have been criticized for changing and growing as time has moved on. I for one appreciate all this genuine emotion contained on one album, not to mention the outstanding songwriting abilities of the two Goo's. Mark these words, it will be remembered as classic down the line.