Review- Goo Goo Dolls – Boxes
Artist: Goo Goo Dolls
Album: Boxes
Rating: 8.5/10
Three years since “Magnetic” Goo Goo Dolls arise with their 11th album release entitled “Boxes” an 11 track album consisting of their first single release power anthem “So Alive” and their most recently released track “Over and Over” This marks the bands first album without drummer Mark Malinin who was removed in 2013. The album has peaked at #3 on Billboard Top Rock Albums and #27 on the Billboard Top 200 lists.
Goo Goo Dolls have been under some recent scrutiny because of their major successful past albums “Gutterflower” which had the hit “Here is Gone” and of course the album “Dizzy Up The Girl” which gave us “Iris” and “Slide” which really are two of their most notably popular songs to date. But the new album has matured a bit, with some definite growth.
The intro track “Over and Over” has just been released as a single and it has some definitives on the drums and a traditional shout-ready chorus rounding it out together. It’s said there isn’t any song on this album with unselfconscious sincerity but, this isn’t the case. The album titled track “Boxes” packs some very high levels of sincerities. With the lyrics like
“Remember who loved you and the ones who have stayed. Cause my body will fail, but my soul will go on. So don’t you get lonely. I’m right where you are”
Its clear to say the claim has fallen short that the Goo Goo Dolls lack emotion and sincerity.
The Goo Goo Dolls have featured Echosmith’s Sydney Sierota in the track “The Flood” She gives an excellent vocal performance and is a very awesome collaboration with Reznik.
The next track “The Pin” has a subtle background harmony and vocals and an aggressive, roller coaster of a chorus melody. This track is reminiscent of “Iris” but more for adulthood instead of a teenager with angst. This seems like it should have been radio ready with “Over and Over” and “So Alive” and even “Reverse”. Keep an ear out those will be playing on the radio waves before long.
The single “So Alive” sings like an anthem with notable “Ayes” that are popular in mainstream pop music. The song itself has strong lyrics that are uplifting and solid. John Reznik says the concept of the song is as he reveals “Being alive is painful. Feeling things is painful. That’s what the song is all about.”
Nostalgia is a really tricky beast; The Goo Goo Dolls certainly have let it go and the scrutiny. I find it best to not worry about any one’s nostalgic tracks and live in the moment. “Boxes” is this moment. It’s the perfect reinvention for the Goo Goo Dolls. They have found the silver lining in adversity.
Overall I would describe the album “Boxes” in a few definitive words like Sentimental, Intimate and Reflective. Vocally and lyrically this album packs a punch if you listen to it and not hold older albums and songs over the Goo Goo Dolls head and like mentioned before to just live in the moment and listen to the music as a whole.
“Every breath’s a moment, every moment is a chance to live again,”
Preorder “Boxes”
Physical|iTunes
Goo Goo Dolls on Social Media:
Official “So Alive” video
Official “Over and Over” video
