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CD REVIEW Dolls’newest CD lacks hit song “GUTTERFLOWER” Goo Goo Dolls BY WILLIAM MILLS THE GAMECOCK The Goo Goo Dolls prove their sound is as constant as the stars with their latest release, “Gutterflbwer.” The album, released Tuesday, is the same no-gimmicks-just rock sound the Dolls have been making since the mid-’90s. “Gutter Flower,” however, is missing the hit song capabilities of the band’s last major release, 1998’s “Dizzy Up The Girl.” “Gutterflower” has nothing to make it stand out among this year’s other rock albums — it’s dull. Most of its songs ooze together in theme and sound and have little diversity. This creates an album that ignites feelings neither of happiness nor of sadness. Basically, the album is functionless. This Buffalo, N.Y., rock trio is definitely showing signs of aging. Singer and guitarist John Rzeznik is nearly over the hill at 36, and his music is going right along with him. The Goo Goo Dolls are still writing songs about young romance and angling their sound toward a younger crowd. This focus, which made the band popular in the late ’90s, might cause their speedy demise. The pop-rock music scene isn’t kind to the elderly, especially with all of the pretty rock stars in their 20s waiting for the spotlight. So, unless the Dolls can tailor their sound to fit the beach music crowd, they’re going to see a rapid decline in record sales. Few college kids want to hear a 40 year-old man sing about puppy love. “Gutterflower” is the band’s seventh studio album, and it’s still using the same kind of angst-ridden, heart-on-sleeve style that it’s used since its start in the mid-’80s. The main difference is that the group has lost much of its young experimentation and vigor. It began as a group called The Sex Maggots, a name even worse than its current one. Aside from their obvious lack of talent in choosing band names, the Goo Goo Dolls jumped into the right vein for rock in the early ’90s. Alongside groups such as Soul Asylum and The Replacements, they rocked small clubs with a grungy, rough rock style that had punk overtones. Staying true to their punk roots, the Goo Goo Dolls took on former Minor Threat drummer Mike Malinin before the release of “Dizzy Up The Girl.” The album was a hit, their singles soared up the charts, and “Iris” grabbed a Unless the Dolls can tailor their sound to fit the beach music crowd, they’re going to see a rapid decline in record sales. Few college kids want to hear a 40-year old man sing about puppy love. space on the “City of Angels” soundtrack. Between that hit record and “Gutterflower,” the band has released no new material. It’s a stretch, however, to call the songs on this album new material. The only big difference between this and the band’s old material is that it lacks the catchy singles of “Dizzy Up the Girl.” Songs such as “Here is Gone” and “Sympathy” on “Gutterflower” show the same acoustic-driven love songs that we’ve come to expect from the trio. The album does, however, offer a break from Rzeznik’s pretty-boy singing style. Bassist Robby Takac sings in a scratchy Tom Waits style on “You Never Know” and “Up, Up, Up.” “Gutterflower” looses its strength halfway through, and the album is unlikely to keep the group at the pop status it reached with its last album. Age is catching up on the Goo Goo Dolls, and they might have to ride this one on reputation alone. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com ~ Heading to College This Fall? A summer class at Midlands Technical College is the convenient, affordable way to get a head start on your college plans or pick up that extra course to meet your Life Scholarship requirements. MTC has dozens of summer courses that apply toward a variety of college majors. And MTC has transfer agreements in place with USC, Clemson and more than 20 other four-year colleges throughout the Southeast. Call 738-8324 for more information or visit midlandstech.com for a complete list of courses. Learn differently. Work differently. Midlands h # Technical College ———m——i—MMm8MBMiiiMfiiigimMiiirMmiii8nifiii»iirifnniniinTiifir~ r'fi'w' t~ • PROJECT VOTE SMART Columbia Program Manager Needed Project Vote Smart - a citizen's organization based in Philipsburg, Montana dedicated to serving all Americans with accurate and unbiased information for electoral decision-making - is looking for candidates in the Columbia area to serve as City Program Manager for its 2002 Young Voters Program. The Columbia Program Manager will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing all promotional and outreach activities for the Project's Stop the Spin campaign. The focus of the initiative will be to promote use of the Project's web site and related services among 18 to 25 year olds to break through the misinformation and manipulative tactics characteristic of most political campaigns in order to cast an informed vote. Candidates must have excellent people and organizational skills, high energy, goodjudgment, a motivated attitude and the ability to represent the organization before diverse audiences. This position will provide great networking opportunities and a rewarding experience working for a non-profit organization. A two-week training and orientation will be at the Project's Great Divide Ranch in Montana beginning in mid-June. For more information about the position or the Project, see our web site at www.vote-smart.org or contact Jackie Morse at 1-888-Vbte-Smart (1-888-868-3762) or yvp@vote-smart.org. STOP THE SPIN! www.vote-smart.org Your Direct Line to the Facts Before Election Day GAL E NDAR Wednesday April 10 NON-STOP HIP-HOP LIVE: The weekly lineup will feature a Chuck Nice Records showcase. 9 p.m. New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St. “LABUCHE”: This French comedy was directed by Daniele Thompson, and it details the manic Christmas season. 3 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Nickelodeon Theatre, 937 Main St. “AU”: 8 p.m. Russell House Theater. Free. Thursday April 11 USC JA2Z: Swing Shift concert of jazz and big band music. 7:30 p.m. School of Music Recital Hall. Free. USC ENSEMBLES: The USC Concert Choir and the University Chorus will perform along witji the USC Symphony PERB ITH FIRST T ON EAR , MO POK ■_ PURL) Orchestra and the Roane State Community College Choir from Harriman, Tenn. 7:30 p.m. Roger Center for the Arts. $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and USC faculty and staff, and $7 for students. Tickets are available at the Carolina ifW Thursday, Uncle Doctor’s, 1734 Mobile Ave. Coliseum or or by calling 251 2222. “LA BUCHE”: 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Nickelodeon Theatre. “ALI": 8 p.m. Russell House Theater. Ezra CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 Beastie Boys, Sugar Ray and Sly and the Family Stone, Iffy has a unique sound that’s been called “cowboy reggae,” “soul-rock-hip hop” and “modem soul with funky, chilled-out dance beats.” If Iffy’s live show is anything like its CD, “Biota Bondo,” which includes one bit in which Pederson plays the zipper of his pants, it will prove to be enter taining, to say the least. With tickets only $15, you can find out for yourself. “It’s one of the cheapest ticket prices around,” Terry said. “In Athens, Better Than Ezra played for $25 a head. ... We tried to keep it as cheap as possible for the student’s sake.... Overall, this band has done a ton of great work. It’s an ex cellent buy for a student.” Terry is optimistic about the turnout. “Our ticket sales have been good, and we expect a huge jump this week after 3 Rivers.” Terry said he will attend the concert. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s gonna be a good show,” he said. “It’s been a long process... but it’s coming together, somehow.” Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com | use DANCE TEAM / / Tryouts • Clinic April 15th and April 17th 6:30pm at Blatt PE Center • Final Audition April 20th at 10:30 1 For more information visit Jr wwwuscdance.com Jr or call Coach Michelle Fields at 781-9076 1 GRADUATES - ORDER NOW JSftSffiTJ!S SAVE $34.00 UAAYRE MOtEUU_YBb\ ^ 'mHCPACKAdT $59.50 — INCLUDES as ANNOUNCEMENTS * envelopes as THANK TON NOTES M gold envelope siau AO HITNKN APMSSS UNEU _ *0 SHIWNS C»»Si*B ’ M •« COMPARE PRICES!! a ussw («.»»■ "It's Hot Too Late!! - Yet 2 Day Doliwory" I MASTERS AMD DOCTORS CAM SAVE TOOIM SSTSlS*" moastoni. “^Jouromke/stoke. 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