Let Love In

iTunes Review

In a world full of uncertainties, you can always count on the Goo Goo Dolls to deliver passionate declarations of love and defiance. 2006’s Let Love In finds them serving up some of their sturdiest slices of rock balladry since their mega-hit “Iris.” This time, Glen Ballard (known for his work with Alanis Morissette, among many others) lends his expert studio polish to enhance Johnny Rzeznik’s rough-yet-heroic singing style. “Stay With You,” “Better Days,” and the title tune are the sort of world-defying anthems that the band’s fans crave to hear. Rzeznik sustains a slow burn on moodier numbers like “We’ll Be Here (When You’re Gone)” and “Without You Here,” adding some welcome shadows to the album. The Goos manage to scuff up Supertramp’s “Give a Little Bit” just enough to make it their own, and when bassist Rob Takac lends his gritty vocal tones to “Listen” and “Strange Love,” he reconnects with the band’s punkier days. For the most part, though, Let Love In keeps the focus upon the sort of grandiose radio-friendly numbers that have sustained these Dolls for over a decade.