“Souls in the Machine” talks of finding humanity in the machine that is both the music business and the world as a whole. The record’s opening track, “Over and Over,” sets the tone for the rest of the album as Rzeznik’s lyrics urge moving forward and not being stuck in the past.

The songs that make up “Boxes” are filled with themes of hope, strength and healing. Rather, John Rzeznik (guitars/vocals) and Robby Takac (bass/vocals) are unpacking memories, experiences and lessons that they have collected together over their thirty years in the band, as well as individually over the course of their lives. There are no loud guitars or lyrics offering social commentary. I am ever so close to my forties and Goo Goo Dolls has just released their eleventh studio album, “Boxes.” The musicians that made this record are certainly not the Goo Good Dolls of my twenties. In some ways, it seemed like they were also trying to find their place in the world in the ever changing music climate. As I found myself in my thirties, trying to cling on to what was left of my youth, while accepting my role of adult, I rediscovered the band that I loved so much. After that, I lost track of the band for a short time.

The more polished “Dizzy Up the Girl” and “Gutterflower,” ushered me through my twenties, as I too, tried to be taken a bit more seriously. In high school, the electric guitars of “Superstar Car Wash” and “A Boy Named Goo,” served as a soundtrack as I explored life behind the wheel of my dad’s Ford Escort. And in a lot of ways, the Goo Goo Dolls grew up with me.

Goo goo dolls prayer in my pocket