A blueprint for success (Hold Me Up - Goo Goo Dolls)

Member Name: 1000Julys

Product:	Hold Me Up - Goo Goo Dolls
Date:	09/02/09 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great pop hooks

Disadvantages: some filler

Hold me up, the 3rd album by buffalo's finest marked a change in the bands sound which became there trademark through the 90's. The album drops the thrash punk approach of the bands first two releases ('first release' and 'Jed') in favor of a blend of messy punk riffs with a more melodic vocal style (brought on in part by John Rzezniks elevation to co lead singer) reminiscent of the Replacements and early REM, a style that set the bases for the pop punk and emo movements that became popular throughout the late 90's and early 00's

Hold me up is the album in which Rzeznik cemented himself as a song writter with very fine pop sensibilities. With songs such as 'Just the way you are' first single 'There you Are' and the acoustic 'Two days in February' containing pop hooks that would have been the envy of many mainstream acts of the time.

The album is a patchy affair compared to it's follow up 'Superstar Car wash' and is definitely the sound of a young band still finding there feet but none the less there are some fine moments of song writing on offer here and fans of melodic rock will definitely take a lot of positives from an album that was a blueprint of successes to come.

Summary: key tracks - Just the way you are, Two days in february, Never take the place of your man