The Goo Goo Dolls have been a prominent name in rock music for over 20 years. The band got their start in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, as a punk band and slowly transformed their sound, breaking through in the late 1990s with hits like “Name,” “Iris,” “Broadway” and “Slide.” The band remained a radio staple in the early and mid-2000s with songs like “Here is Gone” and “Better Days.” While the music scene has changed since then, the Goo Goo Dolls are still one of the hardest working bands out there, continuously touring and writing new songs.
Early this summer, the Goo Goo Dolls released “You Should Be Happy,” a five song extended play (EP), following their 2016 album “Boxes.” The overall sound of this release is a little less polished and produced than their previous album, and is a big change from 2013’s “Magnetic.” While the Goos don’t completely abandon the pop sound they’ve developed over the past several years, this EP certainly has traces of the rock sound that the band is built upon.
Goo Goo Dolls performing at Peoria Riverfront
The title track, “Tattered Edge/You Should Be Happy,” is a great opener with a catchy rhythm and a powerful chorus.
“Use Me,” is the EP’s lead single. The song is instantly catchy with reverbed acoustic guitar, tight bass, powerful drums and heavy tremolo on the electric guitar. Though I liked the instrumentation, the vocals lost me at first. It took a few listens to get used to, but now I love the song.
While guitarist John Rzeznik is the band’s primary vocalist, bassist Robby Takac, who sang the majority of vocals early on, still writes and sings songs on their albums. “30K Feet” is one of the best songs Takac has written in a while, and the song is a lot simpler than the music he’s written lately.
Goo Goo Dolls performing at Peoria Riverfront
“Walk Away” is my favorite song on the EP. It’s the perfect example of acoustic-based ballads that Rzeznik writes best. Like the previous songs, it has minimal instrumentation. It slowly builds up with drums, bass and a slide-guitar solo towards the end. This is the kind of song I hope the band keeps making.
The last song is a remix of “Boxes” from their last album. I would’ve liked to have heard another new track rather than a remix of a previously released song. It isn’t bad, but the original mix is still better in my opinion.
Overall, “You Should Be Happy” is a great quick listen. The Goo Goo Dolls have stood the test of time and continue to prove that they can still make great music. Check out the new EP and see the band on their “Long Way Home Summer Tour.”
Goo Goo Dolls performing at Peoria Riverfront