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The Goo Goo Dolls have been around since 1985, formed as a punky band on a metal label that drew unmissable comparisons with the early work of The Replacements. Seven studio albums later, the band have evolved to become a multi-million selling, commercial rock band, and yet they have no real "greatest hits" collection to speak of. But that's effectively what you have here: the greatest hits of the Goo Goo Dolls encapsulated in a live performance and served up in DVD format.
The moment the concert footage begins, the professional efficiency of the band is evident. The sound is as near perfect as you could hope and really sounds great on surround sound. Lead singer and guitarist Johnny Rzeznik's voice holds brilliantly and every song is rolled out to a very high quality.
In fact, it's very difficult to pick high points as it's all so competently done. However, it is nice to see bassist Robby Takac take to the microphone for Smashed and Tucked Away. The encore of the ubiquitous Iris and a cover of Supertramp's Give A Little Bit, probably just sneak the highlight spot though.
Unfortunately for The Goo Goo Dolls, their sheer professionalism loses them as many points as it wins them. In truth, the concert is actually really dull to watch. Track after track is wheeled out, with few alterations and it becomes clear how much their biggest hits sound exactly the same - the same flat tuning, the same big chorus.
There is little enthusiasm, no danger and no experimentation - it's all so safe, middle of the road and becomes painfully boring at times. The most notable fact about the concert is the torrential downpour two-thirds of the way through the set, which adds a certain visual interest and does amazingly little to damage sound quality.
The extra features of the DVD confirm this super-safe, family-friendly dreariness. The very missable audio commentary is littered with bleeps, censoring out every single profanity. The diary footage shows such illuminating daily habits as drummer Mike Malinin going for a jog and buying a book, and Robby Takac having his hair done and performing wildly contrived "wacky" japes in an attempt to lift the mood. It is truly, truly awful.
Frankly, I can't imagine who else but the most obsessive fan would want to buy this. The competence of the performance is unarguable, but is outweighed by the fact that the whole DVD is devoid of drama, and therefore is lacking in any real interest. Steer clear.
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