Because only half the songs are good

Most of the goo goo dolls famous songs, like "Sympathy" and "Big machine", were written by the band's frontman. These songs are great; I have no problem with them. But the other half of the album has songs written and sung by another band member, and they are truly horrible, unless you like corny sounding country rock/ballad music.

When I heard the rest of the songs, I was really dissapointed. Maybe you might disagree, but I'm the kinda person who likes bands like The Shins, The Strokes, The Vines, The Hives, etc. Try any of the bands for much, much better music.

Disappointing

After smash albums like "A Boy Named Goo" and the even bigger "Dizzy up the Girl" the Goo Goo Dolls release "Gutterflower." Gutterflower's tracks are basically ballads that are regurgitated forms of past hits like Slide and Iris. The lyrics are cliche, and the music is boring and uniform on all the tracks. This album adds nothing to the Goo Goo Doll's style or sound. It was a very safe release, and it's pretty easy to see why it sold well...it seems as if it was engineered to appeal to the public.



If you really want to hear the Goo Goo Dolls at their best, go out and listen to "Dizzy up the Girl." It is arguably the best album the Dolls produced. Granted, songs like Slide and Iris border on the pop, but other songs on the album like Dizzy give the album some depth. Even metallic songs like January Friend and Extra Pale have some meaning. It is, on the whole, an evocative album.

Goo Goo Dolls, "Gutterflower"

"Gutterflower" is a great example of why the Goo Goo Dolls have sustained a healthy music career. Although no new ground is unveiled, "Gutterflower" is an excellent follow-up to "Dizzy Up the Girl".



"Here Is Gone", the first radio single, showcases the Dolls ability for crafting formulatic harmonies which fans have grown to love. "Big Machine", "Think About Me" and "Sympathy" follow in the same vein.



It seems the Dolls have been slotted for Adult Alternative radio; which is unfortunate since fans of all ages have a greater apprecation for what they have to offer.



John Rzeznik and gang have put together a solid effort that die hard fans will enjoy. Unfortunately, Warner Brothers did not make much an effort to promote this CD. And shame on them for that. "Gutterflower" had the potential to be a HUGE album.



Also recommended: The Beautiful Letdown, Switchfoot