Hold Me Up is a genius record, imho. And their cover of The Plimsouls "A Million Miles Away" is better than the original (blasphemy to some I am sure)... to say nothing of "Never Take the Place of Your Man." For me, Hold Me Up is the Goo's high watermark, it captures them at their best... straddling that line between The Replacements debauchery and solid pop songs.
The Goo train began to leave the tracks with DIzzy. A decent record, and I do think "Iris" is a genius song, but it seems that's where they began chasing something different. Which is cool, and sometimes they nailed it... and sometimes, not so much. I think the person who suggested they cover Supertramp should be drawn and quartered... and NOT because I am a big Supertramp fan. In that case, the original is better, which isn't saying a whole lot about either version.
If liking their version of A Million Miles Away is heresy, then I guess we're both heretics. I hope you enjoy listening! I love doing these, but my "radio voice" is definitely a work in progress. I could definitely take some notes from you & Geoff!
I can't wait to listen to this, but Dizzy wins. Generally, The Goos are a super underrated band and Reznik is an underrated songwriter. The guy wrote Iris one night in a hotel room and captures the Buffalo/Western New York I know so we'll. Broadway is one of the best examples of capturing a place I've ever seen.
Super underrated for sure! I hope you get a chance to listen. I have some thoughts on Broadway, and am curious to hear your take (spoiler alert: we both like it, but for different reasons).
It's on my list of "things to do" in the "things I want to do" column for today into tomorrow. So, my thought before I hear your thoughts on Broadway is that it's the most misinterpreted song since Born in the USA! So many people assume it's about Broadway in NYC :-)
Like many other commenters, I was also an early GGD fan and fell out of love pretty quickly after Dizzy. It didn't feel like a snobby "they got too popular" reaction, though. To misquote James Murphy, I thought they'd "lost their edge." And although I do mostly like Johnny's voice, I always preferred Robby's. I still play Jed and Hold Me Up on occasion, and in addition to the great Plimsouls cover, I thought their take on Prince's "Never Take the Place of Your Man" was inspired. I'm sure having Lance Diamond on vocals was a big reason. Though I'm glad that live, Robby is the one singing it instead of Johnny.
Hold Me Up is a genius record, imho. And their cover of The Plimsouls "A Million Miles Away" is better than the original (blasphemy to some I am sure)... to say nothing of "Never Take the Place of Your Man." For me, Hold Me Up is the Goo's high watermark, it captures them at their best... straddling that line between The Replacements debauchery and solid pop songs.
The Goo train began to leave the tracks with DIzzy. A decent record, and I do think "Iris" is a genius song, but it seems that's where they began chasing something different. Which is cool, and sometimes they nailed it... and sometimes, not so much. I think the person who suggested they cover Supertramp should be drawn and quartered... and NOT because I am a big Supertramp fan. In that case, the original is better, which isn't saying a whole lot about either version.
Looking forward to listening to the pod!
If liking their version of A Million Miles Away is heresy, then I guess we're both heretics. I hope you enjoy listening! I love doing these, but my "radio voice" is definitely a work in progress. I could definitely take some notes from you & Geoff!
Big fan of the pre-Boy Named Goo albums. We did an episode on Hold Me Up a few years ago also. Its a very underrated album and mostly forgotten behind the records that came after it. http://www.digmeoutpodcast.com/episode/276-hold-me-up-by-goo-goo-dolls
Right on. I was wondering if other people shred my thoughts on the record. And thanks for the pod link as well!
Never really been a fan of Goo Goo Dolls, but I thoroughly enjoyed this podcast Kevin!
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I'm waiting for Buddy to start a Substack....
Me too! I hope he does.
I can't wait to listen to this, but Dizzy wins. Generally, The Goos are a super underrated band and Reznik is an underrated songwriter. The guy wrote Iris one night in a hotel room and captures the Buffalo/Western New York I know so we'll. Broadway is one of the best examples of capturing a place I've ever seen.
Super underrated for sure! I hope you get a chance to listen. I have some thoughts on Broadway, and am curious to hear your take (spoiler alert: we both like it, but for different reasons).
It's on my list of "things to do" in the "things I want to do" column for today into tomorrow. So, my thought before I hear your thoughts on Broadway is that it's the most misinterpreted song since Born in the USA! So many people assume it's about Broadway in NYC :-)
I'm listening right now. And just heard the mention of Broadway in relation to Minnesota. Love it. And you sound great!
Robby is still very active in Buffalo. Not sure if you saw or will mention this, but you might like it: https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/music/from-running-a-festival-to-a-studio-goo-goo-dolls-robby-takac-needs-to-sweat/article_a9c4e25a-4c9f-11ee-8aa1-530b9697b8eb.html
Thank you! I’m always surprised to hear my own voice, and worry that I sound like Horshak from Welcome Back Kotter.
Well, now that you say it 😂
😂
OMG THIS SHOUTOUT I'm so honored!!!!
Of course! It’s a great read! I hope a lot of people check it out.
Like many other commenters, I was also an early GGD fan and fell out of love pretty quickly after Dizzy. It didn't feel like a snobby "they got too popular" reaction, though. To misquote James Murphy, I thought they'd "lost their edge." And although I do mostly like Johnny's voice, I always preferred Robby's. I still play Jed and Hold Me Up on occasion, and in addition to the great Plimsouls cover, I thought their take on Prince's "Never Take the Place of Your Man" was inspired. I'm sure having Lance Diamond on vocals was a big reason. Though I'm glad that live, Robby is the one singing it instead of Johnny.