Search - Goo Goo Dolls - Live in Buffalo on DVD

This is a solid band.

Critical non-snob | 05/07/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Goo Goo Dolls don't have critics turning handsprings over their music. I don't get it. The same critics gushed over the Smithereens and Soul Asylum, and continue to gush whevever Son of Bob and the Wallflowers re-release the same album under a different title and with slightly altered lyrics. Hell, you can even find a kind word about Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20 without having to look TOO hard. Media darling John Mayer may be John Rzeznik when he grows up IF he takes a voice lesson somewhere along the way.

They're dangerously close to being the early-21st Century Bon Jovi in that they're a popular group for poseurs to bash as being poseurs, even though you'd never mistake a Goos vid for an aerobics show on the fitness channel. The Goo Goo Dolls just go on writing well, playing well, singing well, moving units and filling arenas. Oh and are one of the few bands able to get through to the MTV generation (in among the lap dancers passing as artists). Without the Goos and precious few others, how many of today's preteens would even know a guitar can be used to make (gasp!) music?

Bottom line, the Goos put the singer and the song out front, and work hard live. This DVD drives that home with a sledgehammer. This is a show that "wouldn't have happened unless a lot of people wanted it to happen" in the words of Goo bassist Robbie Takac. Outdoors, in a monsoon, in their hometown, on the 4th of July. Although the gig yielded the DVD, there were altruistic reasons for the Goo Goo Dolls playing this gig above commercial considerations. The band and the crowd got soaked to the skin, frontman Rzeznik lost one wireless unit after another to the weather, but the band played on, and their hometown crowd stuck it out with them.

Watch the DVD, and you'll be sorry you weren't there to get drenched right along with them."

Livin' large in Buffalo

Mark R. Jahnke | Princeton, NJ | 01/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This has been such a long awaited treat for me, and I was so glad to have finally been able to find it! The Goo Goo Dolls have been one of my favorite bands since even before "A Boy Named Goo" was released. This was one of those bands that a lof of the indie fan friends I have were listening too, and I could see that this band was going places. Who ever knew it would explode into this, but I think it is fabulous!

You could not meet a nicer group of guys, who are truly down to earth, and in my opinion about the music, not necessarily about the money like so many other bands out there. They have the rockstar mentality on stage and know how to entertain, but they leave the ego right there on stage when they get off.

This DVD has been long awaited by many fans I am sure, and they did it the right way, right in Buffalo!

The DVD includes all of their big hits, as well as some great b-sides. Sound quality wise, I think it sounds just as good as anything else, and the Goo Goo Dolls are one of the better live bands that I like to see.

It amazes me at the quality of both the audio and the video considering the challenges they had during this show. As you will see on the dvd, the weather takes a turn for the nasty during January Friend. The rain starts, and it is a wicked down pour which later has them take a break, but they come back out and press on.

Some of my favorites moments from the show:

1) Broadway: starts off acoustically with just Johnny and Robby, and the rest of the band comes out, and I don't even think that Johnny knew they were coming back out. You can see them ripping the plastic off the drums, getting the drum mics back in place, etc. Johnny turns around and raises a high hand, and it is just an awesome moment!

2) Acoustic #3: one of my all time favorite Goo tunes, and he hits is despite horrible conditions.

3) Sympathy: I was never really a huge fan of this song after hearing it get so much airplay, but after hearing it live again, it was like hearing it all over again for the first time. It actually inspired me to learn it, and I too play it acoustically with my band, and open the second set with it usually.

4) January Friend: check out Robby during this song! He is happy as can be, totally into the show, and into the song. For me, this is what music is about, and I know exactly what he was feeling bustin' out that song for a hometown crowd! It gives me chills to see it, because he is just so damn happy! It's a great feeling to have, and I've been in his shoes.

5) when Johnny interacts with the crowd and gets the sign that says "Polish guys kick a$$."

I could go on and on with comments, but I won't. I will however leave you with these two words:

BUY IT!"

I WAS THERE!!!!

Adam S. | Fredonia, NY United States | 10/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I went to this show with two friends of mine, and we managed to get about 30 feet from the stage. IT was pouring rain by the end, and I didnt think that this dvd would even come out because of it. The show was awsome! The rain made the whole experience even better! I cant wait to see the show a second time. THe set list was good, it covered all their big hits, and like I said before the rain added so much! BUY IT!"

I WAS THERE TOO!!!

Sarah Mack | MA | 11/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This dvd will be amazing!!! i was at the concert, and it was the BEST CONCERT I've ever seen!! This dvd will be MUST HAVE for everyone who calls themselves goo goo dolls fans!! in the middle of the concert. . it POURED causing some of the equpment to not work. So they put in a bunch of behind the sceens with Johnny,robby and Mike(goo goo dolls)!! this dvd is of the best concert the goo goo dolls have done!! I can't wait for it to come out!!!"