Album Review: Magnetic by Goo Goo Dolls

2010's Something for the Rest of Us found the mainstream radio heroes diverting their course a bit by introducing (at least lyrically) a larger and decidedly more somber world view, demolishing the notion that the band was only capable of writing trailer music for film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels. On Magnetic, their tenth long-player, the Goo Goo Dolls return to their Harlequin roots, delivering an 11-song love letter to the many tropes of love while expanding (just a little) their sound by adding some electronic elements to mix. Those new sonic timbres appear bright and early, lending an added snap to leadoff cut (and first single) "Rebel Beat," a bubbly, summery anthem that, like much of the aptly named Magnetic, features a melody that you can't get out of your head because it's still there from the last time around -- they are the Killers with all of the pageantry removed.

Full Review >>

The Goo Goo Dolls have been around since first forming in 1985. Twenty-seven years later, the group continues going strong, releasing their tenth studio album, Magnetic, via Warner Bros. As an album itself, Magnetic is solid, but often trends middle-of-the-road and safe. When it percolates, it does so convincingly, but there are far too few moments that absolutely rock your socks off.

Full Review >>

Review Summary: Expired milk.When you’ve been around for as long as the Goo Goo Dolls have, there’s a few inevitable crossroads that you’ll face: how to follow up on the debut, the direction of the band after its first hit album, when and how to experiment, and ultimately how to deal with prolonged success. For the Goo Goo Dolls, their answer has been identical across the board: change nothing. It may sound like a bad thing, but when you’re a mainstream rock outfit with an enormous following there isn’t much to be gained from trying something wildly different.

Full Review >>