Track Listing

1. Long Way Down
2. Naked
3. Name
4. Somethin' Bad
5. So Long
6. Disconnected
7. Slave Girl
8. Eyes Wide Open
9. Ain't That Unusual
10. Impersonality
11. Flat Top
12. Burning Up
13. Only One

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20259 in Music
• Released on: 1999-10-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Having undergone numerous not-so-subtle musical transformations since their first album in 1989, the Goo Goo Dolls have matured into a powerful trio that seems to instinctively know its way around a catchy tune. With vocalist Johnny's Paul Westerberg-influenced delivery and songs packed with exciting dynamics, the Goo Goo Dolls have really hit their stride. However, the stride they've hit is probably not going to appeal to most fans from their punk rock years, and some may actually think A Boy Named Goo has more in common with a harder-rocking Eddie Money than, say, the Ramones. --Adem Tepedelen

CD Description
Though they hailed from upstate New York, the Goo Goo Dollsbegan as a band enamored of the '80s Minneapolis sound of the Replacements, Husker Du, Soul Asylum, et al. Accordingly,their early albums were fervid punk-flavored items full of barely controlled sonic mayhem and occasional hints of pop songcraft. By the time of 1995's A BOY NAMED GOO, the band had honed its sound to perfection, trimming off the roughest edges and seriously pumping up the pop sensibilities. Sure enough, it provided the Dolls with their commercial breakthrough five albums into their career.
It was the poignant semi-ballad "Name" that provided the band with their all-important radio smash, but in fact that tune was a bit of an anomaly. Though the Dolls had prettied up their approach, most ofthe songs on GOO were still full-on rockers replete with thick, chugging guitars and bravura drum-bashing, standing in stark contrast to the low-key, acoustic-based "Name". Still,once listeners were drawn in, they had no problem connecting with the more energetic side of the band.

Customer Reviews

Simply Awesome
From the storming opening track "long way down" to the last (the thumping "Slave girl") the goo goo dolls treat their listeners to a thing of wonder. Every song on this album is special, some are works of pure genius. US number1 "Name" is slow and moving, "Impersonality" is punky and fun, "Disconnected" is pure rock at it's best. This is clearly the goo's at the very peak of their powers, the album Bon Jovi wished they could have made but never will. At times it feels like two albums squeezed together with John penning the more arty, thoughtful tracks and Robby sticking more to his punky roots and supplying the sense of "fun". They only co-write a handful of tracks which is a shame because they tend to the pick of what is a very fine crop.

Pure pleasure..
As the Goo Goo Dolls enter their forties, many fans may find themselves starting to look back on what is a long career in the business. Some may rediscover the punk roots of the band on Jed, having originally allowed it to gather dust somewhere in the last twenty years or so. Meanwhile others may well get back into Dizzy Up the Girl having listened exhaustively to Let Love In. Hopefully, every one will find a place for A Boy Named Goo.

The artwork for this record is bizarre, and belies an album that is more formulaic than it is off the wall. But it is also a brilliant album. It seems to sit comfortably between the days when the Goo Goo Dolls were a punk band, afraid to turn down their guitars, and the more focused songwriting and polished production of more recent outings. It is certainly not an earlier version of Let Love In, however.

This is a riff-driven record. The opener, Long Way Down, kicks things off in style, and the guitars don't stop until the abrupt end of Slave Girl forty-odd minutes later. As has become the norm with this band, John Rzeznik's songs are more sober affairs whereas Robby Takac injects that element of fun along with that voice that so divides opinion.

Stand-out tracks are numerous. Takac's first vocal comes on track two, Burnin' Up, a raucous and rocky effort comparable to, say, Tucked Away on Gutterflower. On Track four, Flat Top, John Rzeznik delivers his finest lyrics ever, sticking it to the establishment as he declares a 'tunnel vision war between the cynics and the saints', and informs us that 'there's knowledge wrapped in blankets on the streets.' Truly this is a fantastic protest song that puts the likes of Green Day in the shade, not least because it is delivered over soaring and relentless guitars. On 'Name', we catch perhaps the first glimpse of the 'Iris' Goo Goo Dolls we've come to know. It's a touching reflection of two people afflicted by the tragedy of losing their parents at a young age, 'Now we're grown up orphans that never knew their name/We don't belong to no-one, that's a shame.' For the Goo Goo Dolls' finest ever riff, look no further than Ain't That Unusual, a hidden delight towards the tail of this sublime album.

This no concept album. It did not break new boundaries. But not every album has to do so. Ths album is a triumph because it is simple and effective, maximising the talent of the bands various members. It is a huge disappointment that Let Love In did not too find as much glory in simplicity.

All told, this may just be the finest hour the Goo Goo Dolls ever had. It certainly makes their earlier work seem somehow ill-thought out and rough around the edges, whilst also making Let Love In look a little tame. Any fans of the band's work who don't own A Boy Named Goo should rectify this as soon as possible.

A very influential album.
This is by far the best Goo Goo Dolls album, because of tracks such as Long Way Down, Aint That Unusual and Only One. All the other tracks on the album are top class stuff as well.

As I said in my title "A very influential album", I mean that I have been ifluenced to play my guitar more and to write songs, good lot of them turning out rubbish, but at least I am trying!

This band are so powerful and confident in playing their music. Thats what makes them so good!