The Goo Goo Dolls - A Boy Named Goo (1995) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist
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01. Long Way Down (2015 Remaster)
02. Burnin' Up (2015 Remaster)
03. Naked (2015 Remaster)
04. Flat Top (2015 Remaster)
05. Impersonality (2015 Remaster)
06. Name (2015 Remaster)
07. Only One (2015 Remaster)
08. Somethin' Bad (2015 Remaster)
09. Ain't That Unusual (2015 Remaster)
10. So Long (2015 Remaster)
11. Eyes Wide Open (2015 Remaster)
12. Disconnected (2015 Remaster)
13. Slave Girl (2015 Remaster)
14. Long Way Down (Live)
15. Name (Live)
16. Naked (Live)
17. Impersonality (Live)
18. Million Miles Away (Live)
19. Don't Change (Live)
20. Flat Top (Live)


Produced by Lou Giordano with his trademark full-bodied, immediately accessible, but never washed-out sound, A Boy Named Goo finally got the band across to a wide audience, and deservedly so. Right from the start, the Goo Goo Dolls sound perfectly on the right track after Superstar Car Wash's OK but ultimately go-nowhere feeling - "Long Way Down" is another stone-cold classic of wounded romanticism wedded to catchy Cheap Trick-tinged punk-pop, Rzeznik's singing the not-so-secret weapon. Hearing him on the descending chorus, matching the just sad enough guitar crunch, makes one realize that there's always hope for full-bodied rock & roll. The eternal Replacements tag now makes less sense than ever - the Goos have their own enjoyable sound, Rzeznik's a more individual singer than ever, and all three rock out accordingly. Takac similarly has his own sonic improvements, his formerly rasped high register now just a little more controlled but no less affecting, as winners like "Burnin' Up" and "Somethin' Bad" easily demonstrate. Rzeznik-sung highlights are equally everywhere - the commercial but never stupid "Naked," with a great chorus and immediately radio-friendly music, the equally sharp "Only One," and the mighty fine "Ain't That Unusual." There's no question what the highlight is, though - however untypical of the rest of the album's mid-range feedback fun, "Name," with its sweet but sad acoustic arrangement, made perfect sense as the Goos' long-delayed radio breakthrough. Rzeznik's empathetic vocal, delivering one of his best lyrics on favored subjects of friendship, loss, and fame, matches unfolky strumming and quiet energy, creating a song that feels like both a farewell to the American Dream and to a long-lost partner. All this without sounding like a Bruce Springsteen sermon - a rare thing indeed. ~ Ned Raggett

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