Goo Goo Dolls - Goo Goo Dolls [RSD Black Friday 2023, Red LP]

Long before "Iris" and "Slide" made them mainstream rock radio staples, Goo Goo Dolls released their self-titled debut album on June 9, 1987, through Mercenary Records and Celluloid Records. Recorded from late 1986 to early 1987 on a $750 budget at Trackmaster Audio in their hometown of Buffalo, New York, this 12-track collection captures the band in their purest punk rock form. With bassist Robby Takac handling all lead vocals, the album reveals a band worlds away from their later power pop identity. This is a pure raw punk album that contains some covers mixed in with originals. The trio of Takac, guitarist John Rzeznik, and drummer George Tutuska created a sound influenced by The Replacements and Husker Du, thriving in Buffalo's underground punk scene at clubs like The Continental. This Record Store Day Black Friday 2023 exclusive marks the first time the album has been available on vinyl since 1990, making it a significant release for completists tracking the evolution of one of alternative rock's most successful bands.

The album opens with "Torn Apart" and "Messed Up," establishing the raw, unpolished energy that defines the record. "I'm Addicted" became the only track from this debut to appear on the band's 2001 compilation What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce, highlighting its status as a standout moment. The band tackles covers including Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" and Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper," putting their own snotty punk spin on classic rock staples. "Hammerin' Eggs (The Metal Song)" and "Slaughterhouse" deliver aggressive, thrashy energy, while "Scream" and "Beat Me" showcase the melodic sensibilities that would later define their career. Original tracks like "Livin' in a Hut" and "Different Light" mix bratty punk attitude with hints of the songwriting craft that would emerge on later albums.

This Record Store Day Black Friday 2023 exclusive pressing features eye-catching red and clear cloudy effect vinyl that stands out in any collection. The package includes an OBI side strip, single album jacket, original album art cover, printed inner sleeve, and original record labels. The limited edition nature of this RSD exclusive, combined with the scarcity of original 1987 pressings, makes this a highly desirable release for Goo Goo Dolls completists and punk rock collectors. The printed inner sleeve adds value with additional imagery and information about this often-overlooked chapter of the band's history.

• Format: Clear & Red Cloudy (Ghostly) Effect Vinyl LP
• Standout tracks: "I'm Addicted," "Torn Apart," "Sunshine of Your Love," "Don't Fear the Reaper"
• Pressing details: Record Store Day Black Friday 2023, Indie Exclusive, Limited Edition, Collector's Edition, OBI strip, Printed inner sleeve
• Genre/style: Punk Rock, Alternative Rock, Garage Punk
• UPC: 3700477836528

This RSD Black Friday exclusive brings the Goo Goo Dolls' raw punk origins back to vinyl for the first time in over three decades. The striking red and clear cloudy vinyl, combined with enhanced packaging details, makes this a significant addition to any collection documenting the band's journey from Buffalo's punk underground to multi-platinum success.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. Torn Apart
2. Messed Up
3. Livin' In A Hut
4.  I'm Addicted
5. Sunshine Of Your Love
6. Hardsores
7. Hammerin' Eggs (The Metal Song)

Side B:

1. (Don't Fear) The Reaper
2. Beat Me
3. Scream
4. Slaughterhouse
5. Different Light
6. Come On
7. Don't Beat My Ass (With A Baseball Bat)