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The first three tracks on this album set the stage for the makings of a great modern melodic rock album. "Big Machine" gets the album off to a truly huge, catchy start--great mid-tempo melodic anthem. Then comes "Think About Me", a fantastic, acoustic-driven anthem that may remind melodic rock fans of late-90s Night Ranger. (To the rest of you: yes, there is such a thing as "late '90s Night Ranger".) "Here Is Gone" is the third track and first single--a pretty song that is nonetheless a bit more uptempo than, say, "Iris".

But then...the album changes. Robby Takac, takes over the lead vocals from John Rzeznik for a track and belts out a more modern-sounding, not-so-melodic tune in "You Never Know". A couple of tracks later, Robby again sings on "Up, Up, Up"--again in the more modern, punk direction. In the meantime, John sings on more modern-sounding songs like "What A Scene" and "It's Over" before finally settling in with a true acoustic ballad, the beautiful "Sympathy".

The final four tracks are split between John and Robby on the tracks. "What Do You Need" is a truly modern-sounding effort by John which nicely shows his lower vocal range and has a heavy, distorted electric guitar sound. Robby's "Smash" and "Tucked Away" bring back a little of that punk edge, before Robby's vocals are back for the anthemic, more melodic (once again) "Truth Is A Whisper".

This is truly a variety-filled, enjoyable, mature effort by these guys. Clearly more serious than "Dizzy" but continuing in a mainstream direction. I think it is a very exciting listen in which I can get into any track depending upon my mood. To me, a very creative, musically diverse effort that shouldn't be missed.


The Boys Are Rockin' (Again)   April 15, 2002
 13 out of 15 found this review helpful

First off--I'm a hardcore Goo Goo Dolls fan. It would be pretty difficult for them to create a piece of music I didn't like. But all bias aside, this is a GOOD album. Anyone who picks it up expecting to hear a second Dizzy Up The Girl will be sadly mistaken. This is better. (Be still, my heart.)

The GGD sound is here, alive and well, but even more polished. The driving rock abounds, and the lyrics are right on. Unlike the past few records, this one lacks a 'ballad', but it is not missed. These songs stick in your head. "Big Machine" is a driving melodious effort with great lyrics. "What A Scene" is a song for the times, and talks about the falacies of being a "pop sensation", while delivering an awesome sound. It is very unique, I cannot think of another one of their songs with a similiar sound. The only 'slow' song might be "Sympathy", a quieter song without drums, that almost borders on a country taste. On "It's Over", John's voice is barely recognizable, very deep and husky in the beginning (very cool), then the song glides into GGD melody...a brilliant song. And since people tend to overlook Robby's music, I have to make sure to say "Listen to his songs, too!" He is a great lyricist, and his songs have more of a punk flair to them, like in the old days.

You will not regret buying this album--you'll be proud that you do. Hardcore fans will appreciate the progress heard on this cd, and others will be introduced to a mature, rockin' sound. Enjoy.


Incredible start...not so great middle...decent ending   April 11, 2002
 8 out of 11 found this review helpful

Every song I've ever heard by the Goo Goo Dolls I have liked to some degree. When "Here is Gone" came out, the pattern continued. I really liked this song, and since I've always liked songs by the Goo Goo Dolls, I figured I would get the album as soon as it came out.

The first three tracks on the album are amazing. In general I think this is a better album than Dizzy up the Girl. I had always thought the Goo Goo Dolls had improved with time, and I still think this holds true.

Unfortunately, I was not as happy with the middle part of the album as I was with its beginning. It is by no means awful, but I did not love these songs nearly as much as I did the 1st three.

Song number 8, " Sympathy", I liked as much as the 1st three songs. This song is the acoustic recording on the album. This song has great lyrics, and a really nice toon to flow with it. The remainder of the recordings after this song were pretty solid, but I still think the 1st three songs and "Sympathy" are by far the best on the album.

Overall, if you are somewhat of a Goo Goo Dolls fan, I would definitly purchase this album. The songs are upbeat, and its the Goo Goo Dolls best effort yet in my opinion.


John Rzeznik is YOUR resident god   April 10, 2002
 7 out of 8 found this review helpful

So, after much anticipation, the Dolls release their 7th studio album. After delivering the stunning "Dizzy Up the Girl," one has to wonder if the Dolls still had it in them.

Guess what? They do.

Have you ever known John Rzeznik to write an outright bad song? He's always written strong pop melodies and in "Gutterflower," he delivers the goods once again.

Now let's get something straight here. If you're expecting something that sounds like "Dizzy Up the Girl," you're gonna be a little disappointed. The only thing that carried over from that album is the rather poignant melodies. Imagine, if you will, "Iris" or "Black Balloon," but with slow but hard electric guitars. If you have a mental snapshot of that, then you've got the general sound of this album. Yes, as traditional in all Dolls albums, there is one totally acoustic piece, but the rest has the sound of their earlier albums, albiet a more harsher sound.

I really don't know what the WB was thinking in releasing "Here is Gone" as the lead single, because truthfully, it's probably the weakest Rzeznik song on the album. "Big Machine" is kinda fun and catchy. "Think About Me" has an intro that sounds like "Name," but don't be fooled; it's loud and another decent song. "What A Scene"'s intro reminds me of "Bullet the Blue Sky" by U2 and features Rzeznik trying out the rap style for part of the verses(which he does fairly well). "It's Over" sounds like a rock version of "Iris." "Sympathy" is YOUR token acoustic song, although not quite up to caliber with "Two Days in February," "Name," or "We Are the Normal." The final two Rzeznik tracks, "What Do You Need?" and "Truth Is A Whisper" are possibly the best tracks on the album. Both of those tracks contain the painful emotion that very few writers/performers are able to inject into a song.

Oh, yeah, and there's another singer named Robby Takac, who's songs are generally fun and his voice isn't as annoying as it has been in the past.

The final verdict? It's hard, it's harsh, and it's a magnificent effort by the Goo Goo Dolls. Definitely worth a buy.


Not Dizzy? But still good....   April 10, 2002
 6 out of 11 found this review helpful

Not quite carrying through with the same energy that led to the smash success of "Dizzy Up The Girl" There are no hits on this album, or at least I'm not hearing them. There are great songs those. The best the album provides are "What A Scene" and "Sympathy." However, I don't particularly like "Here Is Gone." But it is the most radio friendly song they have. Hopefully John Rezniak will calm down and lose his grim outlook on life and perhaps come up with the more inspiring tunes that we heard in the past (does "Iris" ring a bell, how bout "Slide" or "Black Balloon"). Nonetheless this album is a worthwhile venture for any true Goo Goo Dolls fan. And maybe others. If you like Gutterflower also look at Vertical Horizon, Third Eye Blind, Dashboard Confessional, and Everclear.