Greatest Hits, Volume I - The Singles
- Pop
- 2007
- Buy the CD
Reviewed by R. David Smola
()
“Name,” from A Boy Named Goo, blew up in 1995; unlike, say, Dishwalla, the Dolls were able to follow up that first big single with further chart success. “Iris” is a grand sweeping ballad that completed the transformation from their Replacement-like work to pure pop magic. “Iris” was on the radio forever before it was released on a Dolls album, because the song was featured in the film and soundtrack for the Nicolas Cage movie “City of Angels” before landing on Dizzy up the Girl. “Slide” is just a brilliant rocking little ditty which makes you move your feet. Contrast that with the Glen Ballard-produced “Let Love In,” from the album of the same name – enormous and sweeping, it oozes slickness. The track they contributed to last year’s “Transformers” movie is also included on the collection, and is the only song that doesn’t stand with the other material. It isn’t a bad track, but it isn’t as good as “Stay With You” or “Dizzy.”
A perfect complimentary piece to this record is 2002’s Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce, which dives deep into the band’s catalog and gives a more complete picture of the Goo Goo Dolls. Grab Ego and Hits, and you will have a fabulous representation of what the band is about. The Goo Goo Dolls haven’t released a ton of material – just eight records since 1987’s self-titled debut – but, as Greatest Hits demonstrates, they have focused on quality, hooky material that has helped them prosper.
You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook for content updates. Also, sign up for our email list for weekly updates and check us out on Google+ as well.