What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce

You'd think that after reaching the heights of rock stardom and becoming mainstream enough to achieve three Grammy nominations, the Goo Goo Dolls would play it safe with a greatest-hits compilation. But this hits package totally ignores their huge megahit "Iris" as well as the four hits that followed. Instead, EOAC mostly offers 22 of the band's hardest rock tracks from their six albums.

It's interesting to hear the evolution from Replacements wannabes to the more polished, radio-friendly rockers of today. What's most interesting when heard in this context, however, is how little the band--and leader Johnny Rzeznik's melodic music--has actually changed over the years. (All the tracks have been remixed and remastered.)

"Acoustic #3" and "Two Days in February" are acoustic ballads, and "All Eyes on Me" features symphonic accompaniment--but everything else rocks. The gloriously anthemic "Another Second Time Around" and "Girl Right Next to Me" nearly rank with the Replacements at their best. In fact, this compilation might offer those who've written off the Goo Goos as "wimp rockers" a chance to reassess the band's status.