Customer Reviews

Boy Named Goo

5 star:		(90)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I wasn't expecting much when I picked up A Boy Named Goo as an impulse buy...I figured that It'd be fun to check out some of the older songs by the Goo Goo Dolls before their big revolution with DUTG. And at first, it was just what I had expected...some fun little power pop/rock. But since then it's grown on me unmeasurably and I have it in my cd player very often. Songs like "Naked" and "Flat Top" are classics...Lyrically, musically, and emotionally. "Eyes Wide Open" is probably one of the best Goo songs ever, and should definetely have left an indelible mark on the radio. I'm surprised more of these songs weren't bigger hits...Certainly, this album has sold over 4 million copies, but those were mostly due to "Name", a song that does NOT define this cd well. (It's a classic, sure, but none of the other songs sound ANYTHING like it...)

I just have a few words to say to the reviewer posing as "dev1". I don't know what kind of attention-craved sicko you are, but I think it's about time you stopped. Before everyone hits me, keep in mind that this is not music rage...I'm not mad at him for his opinions, I'm mad at him because the reviews that he is writing are completely faulty. Click on his name and you'll see literally hundreds of reviews that don't correspond at all with the product he is reviewing, and are there for...well...I really can't see why they're even there. If you read a few reviews, you'll notice several phrases recycled over and over again:

-I'm not sure exactly what to call "Insert Title Here" except "delicious." Every track contains just enough hip-hop to make me what to marry James Brown (the God Father of Three Word Songs) **(he says this to describe albums that aren't even hip hop, like GGD, and Blink)**

-He never mentions song titles, only the title of the album, and insists that his favorite songs on "Bang" (A GGD import) are Tracks 2, 5, 8, and 9, when the album only has 5 tracks to begin with. He also tells us his favorite track numbers from a Marilyn Manson VIDEO. Not to mention, dev1 or whoever you are, your reviews are completely nonsensical. Telling us all that the GGDs support cannibalism and murder to infants, or saying that Linkin Park uses vulgarities, or that SR-71 has commited unforgivable crimes against America is like trying to put 10 pounds of monkey crap in a 5 pound bag. It just doesn't fly. Get a life, and stop being so immature.

This CD is one of my favorite CDs in my collection. A Boy Named Goo is very different than their more recent Dizzy Up The Girl. It has more of a punk rock tone and beat than the many ballads and love songs of Dizzy Up The Girl. Jonny and Robby do a great job singing in A Boy Named Goo, and the lyrics have a lot of meaning to me. To me, the best songs on the CD are "Burning Up" "Name" "Naked" "Long Way Down" and "Slave Girl" but all of the songs are truthfully AWESOME! If you're looking for more mellow-dramatic love songs, check out Dizzy Up The Girl. It has some wonderful ballads like "Iris" "Slide" "Acoustic #3" "Black Balloon" and "Dizzy" but also has some good rock songs with scratchy libs with Robby singing like "January Friend" "Extra-Pale" and "Amigone" Anyway, if you're looking for a great CD, get Goo Goo Doll's, A Boy Named Goo!

From loud punk rock to gorgeous acoustic ballads, the Goo Goo Dolls have always delivered great music. Their albums all have their strengths and weaknesses, and the real power of this album is its variety. The tracks here are loud and edgy enough for fans of the early days, yet they're melodic and crafty enough for fans of their newer light rock hits. There is probably more balance between hard and soft on this album (and Superstar Car Wash) than there is on the upbeat and sweet Dizzy Up the Girl or the shaky wildness of Jed. The lyrics, vocals, and instrumentals are woven tightly together in this musical masterpiece to create something powerful, enjoyable, and full of energy.

I don't know if it's evident enough for someone who hasn't heard a lot of their songs, but each of their albums is different from the others. They've covered almost everything that alternative rock has to offer, and I think that a general view of the modern world is the theme they were going for here. It's hard to describe the feelings conveyed in Goo Goo Dolls albums, but the wonderful thing about all of them is that they leave you absolutely begging for more, which, honestly, most bands nowadays don't do so well. I'm not saying that people will all be begging for more of the exact same songs, but my first GGD album was Dizzy Up the Girl and that was what made me truly want to go out and find more.

Now that I have the basics covered, I'll go over each song individually. This is mainly for more detail, but if you want to see how things are strung together in the album, it's useful to check out what people have to say about each track.

1. "Long Way Down" - Almost flawless in lyrics and sound. Very polished, complete, and it conveys a perfect mesage as both an opening track and a more relatable Goo Goo Dolls song. Great way to start off the album, bringing all of it together. 5/5

2. "Burnin' Up" - A more fast-paced song sung by Robby. The instruments all merge together well here, and Robby has the undying talent of making his single voice sound like many people in unison (without the aid of machinery). This takes all of his potential and uses it more than any of the others. 4.5/5

3. "Naked" - Beautiful song, bringing both hardcore elements and a more vulnerable feel together with deep lyrics. The main vocals have an incredibly gripping feel to them, and the ones in the background bring out an equal amount of agitation and hope. 5/5

4. "Flat Top" - Starts off slow and then the speed varies. Very catchy, and this has a very strong acoustic background as well as more fast-tempo vocals and guitar solos. The strongest point of this track is its lyrics, because they capitalize the faults of society and at the same time stick to traditional Goo Goo Dolls formula. 5/5

5. "Impersonality" - An incredibly catchy Robby song, and it seems like he mirrored "Flat Top" and adapted it to his own style. As repetitive as it sounds, it's very original and has the spread-out, echoing voice that I love. The bass playing is very strong here, too, though it sounds a little whiny towards the end. 4/5

6. "Name" - Ah, yes... "Name". A lot of people have a lot of things to say about "Name", and almost all comments are positive. Their first real hit is always a treat to listen to. This song is the single slow and steady ballad, though it has its faster moments. The vocals seem to fade in and out and are hard to hear at times, but this is a gorgeous song that is one of the brightest stars that shines among a glistening sky of Goo Goo Dolls songs. 5/5

7. "Only One" - Mostly fast all the way through, with pulsing guitars and vocals overflowing with attitude. I love the slow pause in the middle that has some soft and catchy vocals, and then it goes right back to speed. 4/5

8. "Somethin' Bad" - Not the best Robby song, but still really good. Yet again, it could be mistaken for a song with more than one singer, but that's just part of its charm. I love the echoing screams in random parts throughout the song, and it has a short but great guitar solo. 4/5

9. "Ain't That Unusual" - A very spirited Johnny track, with a lot of originality in both lyrics and overall sound. It's got a lively feel that really drags you in. I think this is actually a good hint of what's to come on Gutterflower, but that's an entirely different story! 4.5/5

10. "So Long" - I like this song, and it has great vocals and originality from Robby, but I can't see a whole lot of flair here. It's great, but not as great as his other ones. 3.5/5

11. "Eyes Wide Open" - Wow. This song is an eye-opener, (pun intended) with a mix of crunching bass and acoustic guitar work. The vocals blend into the background like they do in "Name", but they are loud enough in parts that aren't the chorus that you can hear them most of the time. Lyrics are very solid, too. 4/5

12. "Disconnected" - Originally written by the Enemies, the beginning always makes me giggle with its reinactment of a frustrating phone call. It shows the love that the Goos have for covers, and it's definitely the grungiest and loudest song here. Fans of their old music will enjoy this more than they might like the others. 4/5

13. "Slave Girl" - ANGST. But seriously, this cover of the original Lime Spiders song is great for Robby's voice and is very fun to turn up. It's also impossibly catchy and impossible to forget. Not the best the Goos have done when it comes to closing songs, but it's passable in that area and amazing everywhere else. 4/5

In short, a not too dark but still very true album that's easy to listen to made this the first breakthrough album. It's easy to see both where this band came from and where they're going for any fan of rock music. They might be popular (that's not a bad thing at all), but you can still see their originality here. It's a breath of freash air and an excellent way for them to show their true colors.

Five stars.

"A Boy Named Goo" includes some fast pop-punk songs that don't fight the establishment, some midtempo ones like "Naked," and the introduction of the ballad-type song for the Goos, as heard in the great song "Name." Overall, it's a fine album. There's the usual trade-off vocals from song to song between John and Robby, snappy drums, and a constant wave of melodic guitar. Robby, the bass guitarist, writes songs that tend to be of the faster, screechier type, while John writes in an extremely philosophical manner -- and often at slower speeds than his cohort, but not always.

The hits on this album -- "Long Way Down," "Eyes Wide Open," "Name" -- are all pretty well known; truthfully, though, tunes like "Flat Top," "Impersonality" and the rocking stompers like "Only One" and "Somethin' Bad" could have been radio hits as well. And many years from now, "Name" will be known as a truly precious acoustic ballad, with wrenching lyrics that evoke a real sense of contemplation.

Amid all these gems, one song truly stands out -- and it's not the aforementioned "Name." "Ain't That Unusual" boasts a gorgeous, towering riff, a soaring chorus and more of John's reflective, often depressing lyrics. Though not one song on this album disappoints, "Ain't That Unusual" is the perfect rock song, perhaps bettering all the rest, which is saying a lot.

All in all, "A Boy Named Goo" is instantly catchy, but it also contains real emotional depth, especially where lyrics are concerned. These guys didn't make it big overnight, and they seem to see the world through cynical, often dejected eyes. Sometimes that's a viewpoint worth discovering.

Every song a winner. A great mix of both songwriters displaying the best of their talents: John's soul and pathos, Robby's urgency and humor. Great driving beats and catchy hooks.

All of the albums make sense when heard in order - you can hear the progression of their talents - and this one paves the way for the lusher, more mature sounds of Dizzy.

Check out SuperstarCarWash and Hold Me up and you'll have the complete picture. Can't wait to see what these guys come up with next time out. Get back to work writing more stuff!

Does anyone remember when Sugar Ray released that single "Fly?" Does anyone remember going out and buying their album "Floored" for that single, only to have the rest of the album be obnoxious screaming punk rock?

Now let's turn the tables here. Does anyone remember that band Sugar Ray? You know, their ... debut "Lemonade and Brownies" left you hungry for more of their insane punk sound, you buy their second album "Floored," recieve more of the same, and then about halfway through you find this little tiny pop song that begins the process of transforming the band from an underground sensation to pop superstars?

If you remember either scenario, and enjoyed whichever one you remember, "A Boy Named Goo" is for you. Older GGD fans may have bought the album expecting more of the Dolls' frantic, melodic hard rock, only to find a little wimpy acoustic ditty called "Name" in the middle. Radio listeners might have heard the international Top 40 hit "Name" on the radio and bought the album only to be pummled by the Dolls' frantic, melodic hard rock. I bought the album after only hearing "Dizzy Up the Girl" and not knowing what to expect from it. I was blown away.

Starting off with the driving "Long Way Down" (featured on the "Twisted" sndtk), Johnny's voice gets the listener enthralled. Moving on to "Burnin' Up," Robby's rasp demonstrates the Dolls' punk fury. "Naked" and "Flat Top" are both slower rockers that do just that--rock--and "Name" is a beautiful acoustic guitar ballad, #6 in my Best GGD Songs list (#5=Broadway, #4=Girl Right Next to Me, #3=Slide, #2=We Are the Normal, #1=Iris). The rest of the album continues to rock from the slammin' "Disconnected" to the anthmic "Eyes Wide Open" to the bouncing "Slave Girl" (Robby Takac's voice is at its best right there).

I'll be honest, I wasn't too thrilled with this album the first time I heard it, but give it two or three listens and it will grow on you remarkably fast. This isn't the best Dolls' release, but it's better than Jed or the Self-Titled, about on a par with "Hold Me Up." A great addition to any rock fan's library.

"A Boy Named Goo", the fifth and first well-known Goo Goo Doll album, really began it all for them. Though, the band was highly popular in their hometown of Buffalo, NY, and with college radio across the country, it was the ballad "Name" that began their vast success. Really a culmination of ten years' hard work, "A Boy Named Goo" is a great rock album! With such powerful songs, like the Twister soundtrack favorite "Long Way Down", to the snazzy "Only One", to even the mildly popular "Naked", this album is not only one of the Goo's best, but rock's best as well. However loud guitars, a "bad" bass, and powerful drums only veil achingly truthful lyrics which are so potently delivered with John Rzeznik's divine voice. "A Boy Named Goo", with all the components of a great rock album, served up the success the band had so long deserved.

I had already owned the most current Goo Goo Dolls CD when i bought this one. It is in my opinion, better than Dizzy Up The Girl. It has more catchy tunes and guitar solos. Beautifully painted lyrics mixed with great beats. A perfect CD for all Goo Goo Dolls fans.

Whoever said this was just 90's mediocre pop was obviously NOT paying attention to the lyrics. This is for anyone out there who simply wants a GOOD cd with great rock/alternative songs. Not too soft, not too hard, but still Rocking out just the same. This is for anyone out there who wants to hear some originial sound, vocals, and guitar riffs. Of course, also for anyone who wants some memorable lyrics that can make you say "Oh wow, I definetly can relate to that."

Tell me, can you relate to this?:

"All we are is what we're told, and most of that's been lies. It's like I'm made for a tv movie and I just blew my lines."

"We grew up way too fast, now there's nothing to believe. The reruns all become our history."

"Conscience keeps us quiet while the crooked love to speak, because knowledge is wrapped in blankets on the street."

Does that sound like regular mainstream garbage? I don't think so. The radio is missing passionate lyrics like that nowadays. I mean, really, Please think about those lyrics I just posted.

Also, for anyone saying Robby isn't good, in my opinion, I'm sorry, doesn't truly appreciate The Goo Goo Dolls for what they are. Johnny may be the sugar, but Robby is definetly the spice. Rob's voice is perfect for the rock genre, not lacking any emotion at all, and his lyrics are just as brilliant as Johns.
On their earlier albums, John and Robby sing duets, and their voice mesh extremly great together. John may have that great radio friendly voice that we all love, but Robby has an interesting spark all his own that he adds to his songs, that any true Goo fan couldn't help but notice as well. (Evidence is more than obvious on "Burnin Up.)

As for the songs, I love them all. They all rock, none of them bore me to be completely honest. "Name" is of course the slow rock ballad on here, but definetly one of my ultime favorite songs. "Slave Girl" is a remake, a bit different, but it grows on you afterawhile. Rob's voice adds a lot to it, and afterawhile I found myself moshing to it. The minute it starts, the beat is just great. So, if you have The Goo's newer albums, you will see more of their rock roots on here. "Superstar Carwash" pick that up too. Take my advice as a longterm Goo Goo Doll fan. I've had this album for about 4 years now, and it still lives on as a classic in my CD collection.

This is a first in a long line of good albums by the Goo Goo Dolls. While their name may leave you wondering if this is a band you really want to listen to, their music will not. No matter if it is hard rock with an edge or a more mellow sound you are looking for, there is something for every rock fan on this album. Pick it up as well as their others.