They may have started out as snotty punks enthralled by the Replacements, but over the last two decades the Goo Goo Dolls have morphed into a slick, radio-friendly modern rock act with a penchant for emotionally stirring anthems. ‘Boxes’, their 11th studio album, unfortunately takes that process of sonic softening too far, embracing a pop sound in a way that suggests they are having a musical mid-life crisis.
Hopes were extremely high for this record following 2013’s fittingly titled 'Magnetic'. Prior to that release John Rzeznik, Robby Takac and Mike Malinin had fallen into something of a comfortable, albeit appealing, routine. 'Magnetic' gave them an energised pop-rock makeover by mixing classic Goo Goo Dolls traits with an uplifting, contemporary dynamic.
The only misstep was the desperate-to-be-trendy Rebel Beat, a hollow piece of pop fluff that sadly seems to have been the blueprint for 'Boxes'. With Malinin now out of the band following an acrimonious split, the remaining duo and their outside collaborators have served up a surprisingly lacklustre and horribly overproduced record.
For starters, what’s going on with Rzeznik’s vocals? They’re not only drenched in reverb throughout, but on the awful Reverse – its dancefloor chorus will be enough to make older fans weep – they are even squeezed through a vocoder. He’s got such a wonderfully raw and soulful rasp that augmenting it like this is simply sacrilegious.
Even worse is how the guitars have been relegated to a supporting role, buried in the mix and subtly decorating tracks without adding any of the band’s typical flavours. Programmed drum loops, piano, synths and electronic embellishments dominate to the point that, if you remove Rzeznik’s voice, you could be listening to any number of dull acts like the Script or One Republic.
There’s nothing wrong with great pop music and bands should be applauded for trying something new. The problem is that ‘Boxes’ isn’t a great pop record. It could have been if the characteristic energy and infectious hooks were present, but the dearth of those has, in tandem with a lack of six-string drive, resulted in a glut of unmemorable mid-tempo bores.
Where Here Is Gone, Big Machine and Keep The Car Running typify their ability to unfurl soaring, emotionally charged choruses that make you feel like you can fly, The Flood and Pull The Pin continuously repeat the same flat lines. Long Way Home is utterly forgettable and the ironically titled So Alive just plain dull.
It would, however, be unfair to label ‘Boxes’ a complete stinker. It’s lyrically very positive and its anthemic opener Over and Over, although generic, is a great tune that sees them actually breaking a sweat. Souls in The Machine, meanwhile, is a texturally wealthy composition that recalls U2, the Takac-sung Free Of Me stands out thanks to its mature gospel-tinted pop smarts and the outstanding title track – where they do find their identity - is the Dolls at their most magically romantic.
This band have long been unfairly maligned as a soulless, corporate lot with little edge or attitude. With ‘Boxes’ they’ve unwittingly given credence to those accusations, and must hope it’s a temporary blip. It would be interesting to go back to 1987 and play it to the young Goos, just to see the looks on their faces and forewarn them about making the worst record of their career.
Goo Goo Dolls Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sat October 08 2016 - NORWICH UEA
Sun October 09 2016 - LEEDS O2 Academy Leeds
Mon October 10 2016 - GLASGOW O2 Academy Glasgow
Wed October 12 2016 - MANCHESTER Albert Hall
Thu October 13 2016 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Institute
Fri October 14 2016 - LONDON Eventim Apollo
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