“Boxes” is the latest release from the Buffalo native band The Goo Goo Dolls. It’s their 11th studio album and consists mainly of alternative rock full anthems and ballads. This album feels like an honest and open diary filled with lyrics dealing with self acceptance, including imperfections. The first song “Over And Over” is about starting over again and being yourself while everyone else is changing for better or worse. It starts the album off with the honest message that carries throughout.
The album’s title track “Boxes” is about the so called boxes that we categorize ourselves and the world around us in. “Flood” is a collaboration with the 19-year-old lead singer of the recently successful alternative rock band Echosmith, Sydney Sierota. It’s another anthem type song that features strong strings that really give the chorus its power. “Reverse” was stuck in my head yesterday and I love that they use a reversed vocal sample of John’s vocal played like an instrument itself. The lead single “So Alive” is a piano-driven anthem about making peace with fear and proceeding anyway. It features the Goo Goo’s signature group chant vocal style in the background and it’s full of energy and dynamics.
The album starts to wrap up with the second to last song “Prayer In My Pocket” which features bassist Robby Takac on vocals. It’s upbeat but the lyrics are rather dark and honest, in keeping with the rest of the album. The last song “Long Way Home” is in a second person viewpoint about someone losing hope and helping them out. I would be really excited to see the Goo Goo Dolls perform this album live. It would feel like a release of angst against personal demons because that is how I feel after listening to this album. “Boxes” is a great offering of truthful lyrics mixed with modern pop/rock production and I find these songs get stuck in my head a lot. I would send this album to a friend (and I already have!).
