The Goo Goo Dolls Spring To Life

There are so many exciting working parts to The Goo Goo Dolls latest effort "So Alive", the first cut from the new album "Boxes". For starters the keyboard glistens like snowflakes at the epicenter of a New York winter. Sort of tap dances its way up the scale to burden lifting results. Shame on Korel Tunador if he's not impressed at his contribution to this introspective piece. Craig McIntyre's drum playing is no slouch in the immediate impact department either. It gets fiercer as the song nears its conclusion. That chorus can't be erased from memory simply because too much of what adds to John Rzeznik's status as a top tier vocalist and overall man's man lets its presence be known. Robby Takac's bass has plenty to contribute as well. As a total package "So Alive" wades in the waters of how you'll never know what potential you have if you're not willing to make that first big leap into the unknown. "So Alive" pats itself on the back for being just that. John isn't too manly to wear his heart on his sleeve. No superhero cape. No heart of stone. Flesh that bleeds like the rest of us. Much of the imagery rests upon his declaring that there's something to be said for coming off the bench and at least taking a turn at bat. Better than confining yourself to the role of perpetual bench warmer. The notes slide onto the studio floor self assured. The band knows its intentions and rides on the wave of its earnest message. This trip strictly focuses on the war waged within. In John's world you can make it on a wish if you want to. His words exactly. Most of us operate on a wing and a prayer anyway. Tops on my list of kudos would have to be how the keyboard and drums mesh seamlessly. Light and leathery join forces. The results dazzle no end. John's pipes stand tall and firm as they have for such classic hits as "Name", "Iris" and, to a speedier degree "Long Way Down", which made the Twister soundtrack more awesome than it had a right to expect to be. "Long Way Down" clawed and scratched its way to respectability whereas "So Alive" relies on inborn elegance to punch its ticket as a worthy Dolls ditty. The range this band has shown over the years continues to astound. They have working class chutzpah but they can lay down the licks that lure the ladies. John and Robby have been constants since this whole rock star pipe dream took flight in 1986. Suffice it to say the partnership has lost none of its integrity over the decades. "So Alive" promises vast vitality and proves it's up for the challenge by leaps and bounds.