Goo Goo Dolls
Superstar Car Wash


3.5
great

Review

by Curse. USER (64 Reviews)
November 20th, 2008 | 22 replies


Release Date: 1993 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Robbie Takic should never be allowed near the microphone. Ever.

The Goo Goo Dolls are a band that are now in a state of charming middle aged women out of their size twelve panties, but once they were a band with 90’s alternative sensibilities along the lines of the Replacements (and were once called rip-offs as a result) and were signed to Metal Blade. Honestly, Metal Blade? The home of bands such as Behemoth and Goatwhore used to also be the home of the Goo Goo Dolls? But I digress. Superstar Car Wash was the last album that showed them fully in the alternative realm, as their next album, A Boy Named Goo, saw them moving into the more mainstream area where the currently now lay. Superstar Car Wash shows a band that, while still inconsistent, can crank out very catchy tunes, as long as Johnny Rzeznik is singing.

The number one thing that people notice is that half of the songs are sung by guitarist Johnny Rzeznik and half by bassist Robbie Takac. Also, the song in which Rzeznik is featured tend to be much more melodic, whereas the songs in which Takac sings are more punk in general sound. Also, Rzeznik has a voice that shows true range and abilities, and Takac sounds like he is singing after being tortured by swallowing glass and beaten with a stick. Takac’s inability to sing makes many fans of the Goo Goo Dolls wonder why he is allowed to do so, as songs that sound like they have potential are immediately hindered by him near the microphone.

The guitars are at a place where they sound typical of the time (1993) and yet rise above it in areas, as exampled in a very strong guitar solo in “Domino” and the acoustic melodies in “We Are The Normal” are fantastic. The drumming throughout the album does well to keep the tempo of the songs, but nothing by George Tutuska is particularly ear catching or above the norm of the genre. The bass is actually fairly audible in the mix but does nothing to really stand out.

Of the songs themselves, many stand out, such as the aforementioned “We Are The Normal,” in which the lyrics are penned by Paul Westerberg of The Replacements. Another strong track is “String of Lies” which is very up tempo for a Rzeznik song and features a fast guitar solo in the middle portion. “Falling Down” is an entertaining opening track, with a melodic riff, and it shows off Rzeznik’s vocals very well. Of all of Takac’s tracks “Domino” is the best, being very fast and Takac’s vocals are in sync with the instruments on a level none of his other tracks can match.

All in all, this album is the beginning of the turning point in the general sound of the band, with increased focus on Rzeznik’s vocals as opposed to Takac’s and leaning towards a more melodic sound overall, compared to previous records. The change of vocal focus is a very wise one, as Rzeznik’s vocals are far, far superior to those of Takac’s, and the songs are generally written better around Rzeznik’s voice. Takac’s songs do prevent the album from reaching heights it had the potential to reach, but they would reach those heights with their next album and beyond. Overall, this is a must have for Goo Goo Dolls fans and is one of the better early 90’s alternative albums.



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user ratings (132)
3.7
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
Curse.
November 21st 2008


8079 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I really like this album, and it needed a true review. Not my best, but I thought I did well. Criticism and pointers are always welcome.

rasputin
November 21st 2008


14968 Comments


This album is really good. There are a lot of heavy guitar riffs. I like it more than A Boy Named Goo. The singing is really good. That's basically all I have to say. I don't know why, but I just really like this. Therefore, I chose to give it a rating of a five. Let's put it this way, I think it's pretty good.

Curse.
November 21st 2008


8079 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Haha, I didn't think I could outdo that review, it is pretty elite, but I tried nontheless.

bastard
November 21st 2008


3432 Comments


I just read that and lol'd.

Curse.
November 21st 2008


8079 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

These guys are really great live too, if you can stand middle-aged women screaming all of the lyrics to "Iris" right next to you.

rasputin
November 21st 2008


14968 Comments


I stand middle-aged women on constant basis, if you know what I mean.

Curse.
November 21st 2008


8079 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Then you obviously go to their shows for the pick-up. I see your tricks.

bastard
November 21st 2008


3432 Comments


no he was going to talk about them about Lennie Kravitz.

pervert.

DaveyBoy
Emeritus
November 21st 2008


22503 Comments


Good review Josh. I have never got around to listening to this, but must check out their earlier stuff at some time.

Asiatic667
November 21st 2008


4651 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I am a middle aged woman

Curse.
November 21st 2008


8079 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks Daveyboy. This really is a good record, unfortunately Robby Takac has to ruin almost half of it.This Message Edited On 11.21.08

Willie
Moderator
November 21st 2008


20311 Comments

Album Rating: 3.2

Robbie Takic should never be allowed near the microphone. Ever.
No fuckin' shit. He's been screwing up Goo Goo Dolls songs for far too long.

Curse.
November 21st 2008


8079 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Robbie Takac has ruined like half of their songs. Can you believe he used to be the main vocalist????

Willie
Moderator
November 21st 2008


20311 Comments

Album Rating: 3.2

They would have never even been signed if it had stayed that way.

Curse.
November 21st 2008


8079 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

There must have been a deal made that they had to have Johnny Rzeznik sing most of the songs for them to be signed to Warner Bros.

foreverendeared
November 21st 2008


14741 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Takac is at least bearable in a live setting, but on record, he definitely sucks

Willie
Moderator
November 21st 2008


20311 Comments

Album Rating: 3.2

Takac is at least bearable in a live setting
Did you happen to be drunk when you made this observation? ;)

foreverendeared
November 21st 2008


14741 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

haha no, i think it was just the atmosphere that made it bearable. i mean, if it had been like a 10 minute song he was singing, or if he sang two songs in a row or something, then maybe i'd have complained ha

Themac
May 27th 2012


52 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

gonnae be a dick and bump a near 4 year old review but fuck it. I love this album, best by the Goo's. Domino is easily the best song Takac has ever done, if his other songs even came clost to matching it I wouldn't skip his tracks

HitlerIsGod
May 27th 2012


745 Comments


one of the worst band names of all time.



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