The crooners of such 1990s alt hits as “Black Balloon”, “Iris”, “Slide”, and “Name” have returned. While that much lauded decade came and went, the Goo Goo Dolls never stopped making music, even if the unit’s time in the spotlight passed. In fact, there’s an even longer and storied history with this group than you might expect, as it began making music in the late 80s. Never taking a break since then, members Johnny Rzeznik, Mike Malinin, and Robby Takac have just released the follow-up to 2010’s Something for the Rest of Us called Magnetic. Recorded through much of 2012 through to this year, this 11 track disc that hit stores and digital retailers on Tuesday also features a slew of bonus songs.

Magnetic opens with the album’s only single thus far called “Rebel Beat”, which is a dreamy pop tune gleaming with tinkling piano strains, handclaps, and the trademark gruffness of Rzeznik’s voice in the verses. The chorus explodes into an alt-rock chorus rife with jangly acoustic guitars and a sing-along nature. The romanticism of “When the World Breaks Your Heart” comes through not just through the saccharine lyrics but also through the delicate strings resonating in the choruses.

Also sweetly inflected is “Slow It Down”, which aspires to be like the band’s best songs with impactful lines from Rzeznik, plenty of gentle acoustic guitars, and even some finger snaps to modernize it. “Caught in the Storm” is a similar number, albeit one with a more upbeat instrumentation despite the bleary lyrical outlook. Of all the tracks thus far, “Come to Me” stands out for its almost country twang and cooing and prominent background vocals that pick up to a lilting chorus that is heavy on the piano. It’s more than just bubblegum pop.

This band has never shied away from swapping out vocal duties, as is the case in the “Bringing on the Light”. It starts off positively soulful before morphing into a garage rocker with plenty of flavor. The layered vocals in the chorus are an audible treat on this gem. “More of You” cashes in on the popular techno trend with heavy beats and distant, almost floating piano. The infectiousness of the chorus is sure to be an earworm for many.

The mouthful of a title “Bulletproofangel” is emotive and passionate, a slow-paced burner that is made all the more shattering with the lullaby tones of the piano. Another vocal shift occurs during “Happiest of Days”, which is a plaintive acoustic ballad. Album closer “Keep the Car Running” is another highlight, as it is classic Goo Goo Dolls and quite a memorable piece of music at that.

The Goo Goo Dolls have made a long career out of poppy alternative tunes, and Magnetic is another fine example of such a production. There are newer and fresher elements infused into the tunes, like techno and country influences, and combining that with the different lead vocalists, this is a pretty solid release. It’s just not nearly as impactful as the current crop of outstanding music that has hit the shelves this year.

Rating: 3/5