Ten slices of feelgood festivity that reminds its listeners that as long as there is Christmas there is always hope of better days ahead.

By TotalNtertainment/Chris High

Remember the good old, some might say better days, huddled by the wireless to hear what new song your favourite band might bring out for the festive season? It doesn’t seem to happen so much now, so The Goo Goo Dolls – the rockers from Buffalo, New York, probably best known for Iris which spent twelve months on the Billboard charts on its release in 1998 – have remedied this by releasing It’s Christmas All Over. 

Recorded in lockdown, It’s Christmas All Over features covers of Christmas classics as well as two new original songs. The album was produced by frontman John Rzeznik, Brad Fernquist and Jimmy McGorman. 

Does it work? For the most part, yes. Full of party fervour and with John Reznick’s voice as sharp and fresh as ever, there is all the Goo Goo Dolls fervour here that any fan – or newcomer – could wish for. 

Let It Snow is the current single. A smooth, Michael Buble smoothness that resonates with the intended time of year. You can almost smell the fir tree and hear the crackle of the wood fire. Better Days from the Let Love In Album is given a lovely reworking – I’m not going to spoil the surprise, for fear of its effect not melting your heart – while Hark The Herald Angels Sing becomes an anthemic feel good song of St. Paul’s proportions, with its delicious piano backdrop a thing of beauty. 

The Christmas Party, complete with Union 5’s catchy instrumental funk, cool funk vibe, provides a medley recognisable favourites guaranteed to get the party swinging. 

All in all, this album is exactly what the world needs right now. Ten slices of feelgood festivity that reminds its listeners that as long as there is Christmas there is always hope of better days ahead. 

1. Christmas All Over Again 

2. Shake Hands With Santa Claus 

3. This Is Christmas 

4. Christmas Don’t Be Late 

5. Better Days 

6. You Ain’t Getting Nothin’ 

7. Let It Snow 

8. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 

9. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 

10. The Christmas Party (Feat. The Union Square 5) It’s Christmas All Over

The Goo Goo Dolls 

It’s Christmas All Over 

Warner Records