April 27, 2006 - There will be two types of responses from fans after they hear the newest release from the Goo Goo Dolls.

One will be filled with disappointment from those still stuck in the mid-1990’s while the other reaction may be that of pure bliss, as they too have changed with the times and slipped deeper and deeper in love with these kind of blasé power-pop rock songs.

Today that is the path we find Johnny Rzeznik (vocals, guitars), Robby Takac (vocals, bass) and Mike Malinin (drums, percussion) heading down on Let Love In, the bands first offering since 2002.

Things have drastically changed for the Dolls since their punk rock days in the late 1980’s and even their mainstream ballad success a decade later. That success came about with songs like "Name" (from the album A Boy Named Goo) and "Iris" (from the soundtrack to City Of Angels and album Dizzy Up The Girl), though continuing down that road seems to have its consequences.

No longer in touch with the days of bringing a solid rock album to the masses, the new millennium has been embraced with a more formulated approach that does little to help the overall product this time around.

The power ballad business is a tough one and sometimes an over-calculated approach can cost the true vibe of a release to be swallowed underneath each and every layer of what’s included.

The opening track “Stay With You” kicks things off with a radio-ready feeling as carefree guitar riffs and melodic vocals take you through tempo changes and touches of drama.

Throughout its entirely, this album is loosely based on the emotional memories of yesteryear, where the recollections of love found and soon after lost, is meet with a sense of acceptance as time is allowed to pass.

But as the years go by for the Goo Goo Dolls, who have enlisted the help of producer Glen Ballard to add those polished pop rock moments found within, it all tends to bleed together without many moments standing on their own.

Where there are decent songs included such as the title track and “Without You Hear,” there are also throwaways like “Listen,” “Strange Love” and a cover of “Give A Little Bit,” which comes off like what it is – just someone else’s song.

With too much in the way of jangly repetition and the changes that come with giving in to music industry expectations, it’s hard to digest Let Love In from song to song as this 11-track collection bleeds together without any sense of a breathtaking moment.

For more Goo Goo Dolls band information visit the official Goo Goo Dolls website. To sample music visit the goo Goo Goo Dolls page at myspace.com.

CD Review by J.C. Carnahan - Copyright © 2006 Florida Entertainment Scene – All Rights Reserved.