Actually, I'd argue that the HAND as an album is pretty influenced by the GGD, or at least sounds kinda like them at times

If you like the 'modern - 21st century' Bon Jovi sound then you'll like Goo Goo Dolls. I'd agree with Walrus, Bon Jovi seem to have molded into the GGDs recently. Check out Dizzy Up The Girl and A Boy Named Goo. They're a nice stater, if you ask me.

Iris, their biggest hit, is actually my all time favorite song. But, if you're starting out listening to the GGD, go for Iris, Cuz You're Gone, Name, Here Is Gone, Sympathy, there's so many good songs.

I never looked at if as if Bon Jovi being influenced by the GGD, how did you come up with that analysis?

Bon Jovi was NEVER be influenced by GGD

GGD makes adult songs, BJ actually makes "im gonna live my life" songs.

I disagree ... you listen to, say, Big Machine, it's not too dissimilar to something that Jovi may write nowadays

perhaps, but the lyrics of the GGD are miles ahead of what BJ penned lately...

Very true. They're going for different messages, I feel. It's more the music style that's similar.

Yeah, the musical style ... sorta that part-acoustic, part-electric modern pop-rock thing ... OK, that's a fairly wide tag perhaps, but ah well ...

Incidentally, I don't think that they're really my thing ... I have their live album, and while I do quite like some of it, nothing particularly reaches out and grabs me that much

That's exactly what I came on to say. I've always thought that was GGD's signature sound. The acoustic/electric thing. Bon Jovi have been doing that on the last few albums. Hell even the big lead off rock single had an acoustic guitar in it.