I’ve always been a sucker for heartfelt, acoustic tracks. I can probably attribute that all the way back to 1995 when I heard “Name” off the Goo Goo Dolls’ A Boy Named Goo album. John’s vocals mixed with his beautiful words and the perfect rhythm of the guitar made for one of the first songs that really reached out, grabbed me, shook me and made feel something. From then to this very day, I can listen to that song in the same awe as when I initially heard it, and I’m still just as moved.
The rest of that album had some solid, standout tracks, but to me a lot of it was filler. The same can be said with the rest of their records, which belted out other amazing hits that truly touched me, but still left a lot to be desired. “Iris” is one of the most beautiful songs ever written – it’ll always be one of my favorite songs and, in my opinion, one of the best ever written – but aside from a couple other tracks, Dizzy Up The Girl left me wanting more; same goes for Gutterflower. I always knew this Buffalo, NY trio would eventually make and was capable of making a record that I could play from start to finish that would showcase what it is they do best.
My wishes were finally granted with their new endeavor. This 11 song disc is everything I could’ve ever wanted from the Goo Goo Dolls. Packed with gorgeous, wholehearted songs that are dripping with melody, rhythm, allure and candor, Let Love In is the album that would be the perfect soundtrack for any romantic movie. I can envision me and a special lady friend just laying on the couch buried under blankets, or kissing in the rain, or driving on a warm day with the windows down listening to this; holding hands, lips entwined, or looking into each other’s eyes. Obviously, I’m kind of a hopeless romantic, but hey, I’m a sucker for this stuff and I think it’s safe to say everyone is; hence the reason I think a lot of people would love this release.
From the second track, “Let Love In,” to the single, “Better Days,” to "Without You Here," and the Peter Gabriel resembling “Can’t Let It Go,” all 11 songs are crammed with hooks and built-up, epic choruses. John’s voice, which in my opinion is one of the best in the last decade plus, toys and pulls with your heart while either making you teary-eyed or pondering the words he’s singing and how they relate to you and your life. It seems a lot of the album has a love theme to it, but it also appears to be touching on a lot of more important issues within the world (i.e. helping other countries, children around the globe, etc.); no matter what it is they’re addressing, though, their songs make you open up your eyes and think. Even one of the songs Robby, the bass player, sings on stands out. I was never a fan of his previous tracks and thought they seriously disrupted the flow of the music, but “Listen” has that same upbeat energy reminiscent of their earlier work and I find it to be just as enjoyable as John’s songs.
I would’ve probably left off “Give A Little Bit” and "Strange Love" (Robby's other song, which I don't like at all) because I feel the other songs surrounding it are far more superior and makes them appear to be weak tracks (well, the latter actually is), which in turn causes me to skip them. Listening to this whole thing over and over, I still have no idea what the next single will be. “Feel The Silence” is probably my favorite out of the set and would probably slay the airwaves, but they really could go any direction with this; it’ll be interesting to see what they choose. Either way, if you’ve been a fan of their hits, then this album is for you. Whatever it was about “Iris” or “Black Balloon” or “Here Is Gone” that caught your attention, the same thing is in every single one of these songs. Simply put: This is an amazing pop record that I’ve been craving for the longest time, not just from the Goo Goo Dolls, but from any band.
I really like this record, but I still don't think the songs are as amazing as stuff off their last two releases. There are songs like "Let Love In" and "Stay With You" on here that are absolutely incredible, but if I made a compilation of stuff off of Dizzy Up the Girl and Gutterflower, it'd slay this album.
I really like this record, but I still don't think the songs are as amazing as stuff off their last two releases. There are songs like "Let Love In" and "Stay With You" on here that are absolutely incredible, but if I made a compilation of stuff off of Dizzy Up the Girl and Gutterflower, it'd slay this album.
I'd give it an 7/8 out of 10.
Interesting opinion.
I really think Dizzy and Gutter lacked a lot of what I wanted from them. I mean, they're good albums, but I just wanted more.
I really think Dizzy and Gutter lacked a lot of what I wanted from them. I mean, they're good albums, but I just wanted more.
This album, in my opinion, filled that void.
yeah, I like this album a lot. And it's better than dizzy or gutterflower standing alone. But I think he means if he took the best songs off gutterflower and the best on dizzy, that it would dominate the new one.
I agree that there was something missing from both of those albums, but if you took the standouts from both of those, you'd make one hell of a record. Regardless, I still love this album...just not in the same way I loved Gutterflower. I agree that Robby's songs have gotten much better (and much less annoying). Good review, Jared!
very nice review. i must say though after listening to the stream, i still think it's not up to par with the last two albums. Although i might have been led to this opinion based off a shitty quality stream, or rather just not feeling it the first or second listen around. the goo goo dolls were one of the first bands that got me into music period. so i'll pretty much be buying it anyway.
I agree that there was something missing from both of those albums, but if you took the standouts from both of those, you'd make one hell of a record. Regardless, I still love this album...just not in the same way I loved Gutterflower. I agree that Robby's songs have gotten much better (and much less annoying). Good review, Jared!
I edited the review because I forgot a point.
I don't like Robby's second track, "Strange Love," at all, but yes, he is definitely getting better.
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