ith successful hits such as “Iris” and “Name,” the Goo Goo Dolls has become a band that many can immediately recognize when turning on the radio. The members of the trio have earned a place for themselves on Hollywood’s Billboard lists and have discovered that they usually rank at the top of this famous list. The soothing, unmistakable voice of John Rzeznik and the harsher, tough-guy kind of voice that belongs to bassist Robby Takac create the musical voice behind the band. The band has created magic again with the release of Gutterflower, which debuted at number four on the Billboard top 200 list. To promote the release of this CD, the band began touring with Bon Jovi in early February, stopping in Salt Lake on April 5.

Stylistically, Gutterflower is much like the band’s previous releases. The voice of Rzeznik is soft and soothing, yet contains just enough edge to not be considered soft rock. “Here is Gone,” the album’s debut single, achieved immediate success by landing a number-one spot on various musical lists. Though the song is reminiscent of “Name” and other famous tunes by the band, the CD as a whole offers a little more to the listeners than the band was capable of offering before.

The RED Interview
Through interviewing Robby Takac, I was able to discover what the band members felt was different about this CD and what they have in store for the future. Takac was kind enough to explain all of this to me with the air of a close friend who is content sitting around making jokes about politics and the weather, reminding me that fame is created through the fans and that behind it all, The Goo Goo Dolls is a group of three talented guys who just want to perform, with the hopes of attaining some genuine listeners.

I answered my cell phone to hear a guy on the other end reveal that he was “Robby.” So, that was it, I was talking to the bassist of The Goo Goo Dolls. Suddenly, all sorts of songs that I listened to at high school slumber parties or cried to while watching “City of Angels” began floating through my head. It was pretty cool to be talking to one of the creators of these songs, but I really didn’t know what I wanted to ask him.

I started off by asking how the tour was. He simply replied that it was “going well” and added that though “…it is different than what we are used to,” touring with Bon Jovi has actually been a success. According to the bassist, you “outgrow your influences,” and become your own band with your own sound. This allows them to tour with Bon Jovi and not clash with the other artists. Instead, both groups are able to put on a great show that is intertwined with polar opposite roots.

Gutterflower carries much of the same sounds as the band’s previous CDs. According to Takac, the band is “pretty conscious about that.” Though the sound is similar, the disc as a whole carries a new edge to it, one that is not so apparent in previous releases. Takac said, “It is a heavier record than we would have liked—it has more bite, more teeth, but it translates live really well.” Takac wrote four of the songs on Gutterflower, and listening to him sing them, I understand where much of the new bite can be found. The voice of Takac is quite different from the softness of Rzeznik. It is tougher and harder, and maybe not so melodic, but it makes for a good song and helps the album bare its teeth.

Takac also said that the band had “more control over the record than in the past.” Gutterflower stands as a symbol of the group “getting control back.” Takac said that part of this regained control stems from the fact that they went into the studio and produced a record that came exactly from them. “We didn’t need to turn the guitars down as much as we had in previous records,” he said. In addition to louder guitars, the CD is full of lyrics that reveal deep feelings of both Rzeznik and Takac. The disc is full of emotion, but it is revealed through a slightly tougher sound than what Goo Goo Dolls fans may be used to.

Gutterflower is void of the fear that the band once had of being unable to maintain all of its fans. Part of the band’s growing-up process has been realizing that they can “interject ideas without losing people,” Takac said. The band will change, as will its fans, but the music will keep coming. Takac claims that their main goal is to “go and try to do our best.”

The Goo Goo Dolls have produced great records and Gutterflower only confirms their ability to appeal to a variety of people. With a simple goal in mind, the group constantly gives birth to new lyrics and sounds. When they have 12 good tracks, they release the CD, and, according to Takac, simply "let it go where it goes." In listening to the various tracks on Gutterflower, I can conclude that the direction for the Goo Goo Dolls can only be up from here.
autumn@red-mag.com