Angst-ridden band bares all

Album captures the tortured emotions of love and drug abuse

By Erica Miller, On-Line Forty-Niner

Wednesday, September 30, 1998

Social commentary, love angst and pop melodies describe The Goo Goo Dolls latest album "Dizzy Up The Girl."

The album mixes emotional, painful and hopeful lyrics with upbeat pop music.

The first song, "Dizzy," is a catchy, happy, melodic song with a chorus of strumming guitars, a simple bassline and light drums in the background. The music is offset by tortured love lyrics.

It is amazing how songwriters speak of the person of their affections like unwanted baggage.

"You're nothing that you seem. I'm drowning in your vanity. Your laugh is like a disease. You're dirty and you're sweet. You know you're everything I need." In "Broadway," lead vocalist and guitarist John Reznik writes about tragedy and despair.

Yet, his meaningful words are marred by fast-paced, light melodies, which trivialize the message he is attempting to convey. A more effective song is "Black Balloon." Reznik tells a story about heroine abuse and its effects.

The album slows down at this point. Cleverly written lyrics are accompanied by somber melodies and driving drumbeats that fade into the background. Reznik clues the listener in on the emotion he is feeling. "How could I have been the one. I saw the world spin beneath you and scatter like ice from the spoon. That was your womb." "Amigone" and "Acoustic #3" are both us-against-the-world type songs about lost dreams, silence, lies and more angst. The band returns to its signature syncopated rhythms and light pop melodies.

"Extra Pale" is reminiscent of Dramarama's hit "Anything, Anything" with minor chords meandering in the background along with tambourines and a heavy baseline.

This short, quick-paced song has lyrics that can be interpreted differently depending on the individual.

Surprisingly, the most recognizable song, "Iris," from the "City Of Angels" soundtrack, is not the most engaging song on the album.

The song is the most mainstream of the songs and does not fit with the rest of the angst-ridden music and lyrics.

Overall, "Dizzy Up The Girl" is a Top 40 lover's delight.