Good Charlotte (©2000 Epic)

1: Little Things 2: Waldorf Worldwide 3: The Motivation Proclamation 4: East Coast Anthem 5: Festival Song 6: Complicated 7: Seasons 8: I Don't Wanna Stop 9: I Heard You 10: Walk By 11: Let Me Go 12: Screamer 13: Change

Before the tatoos and pouting, the kids were still fooling around looking for their groove. They hit more than they missed on their self titled debut. There's enough fun and energy to make this a pretty fun album. Yeah, I know that people crap all over these guys for being one of the myriad pop-punk-posers out there, but there's something about the band that put them a little above their contemporaries.

When they sing about teenage angst and not fitting in, you get the sense they're drawing from experience - after all, they're not that far removed from gym class. The other thing I like about the band is that they're not angry all the time. I don't feel like ripping the heads of my kids' stuffed animals after listening to their songs.

This isn't my favourite of their albums, but it was an album full of pretty strong (but utlimately forgetable tracks), but is enjoyable while it's playing. I especially liked the mid tempo songs, like "Screamer" and "Change". These guys have a pretty good sense of melody.

They would get a little better with each release.

Reviewed June 22, 2006

The Young And The Hopeless (©2002 Epic)

1: A New Beginning 2: The Anthem 3: Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous 4: Wondering 5: The Story Of My Old Man 6: Girls & Boys 7: My Bloody Valentine 8: Hold On 9: Riot Girl 10: Say Anything 11: The Day That I Die 12: The Young And The Hopeless 13: Emotionless 14: Movin' On

I guess this is the new face of punk, being played by kids who weren't even born when I was shaking my head trying to figure out the Sex Pistols and the Clash. These guys and all of their contemporaries - who are legion at the moment in the music industry - have more in common with Cheap Trick and The Cars than the grandfathers of punk. But then again these guys have a good sense of pop and can craft a pretty catchy tune.

I for one like these guys, and like the fact they have some attitude and like loud raunchy guitars. After all, each generation has to find their own way and if taking the look of punk and mixing it with pure bubblegum pop is their mode of expression so be it. The results are pretty strong too. This is fast paced stuff with not a lot of musical posing - and thankfully they are NOT playing drop d tuning.

Of course who knows how long this particular flavour of the month will last - but until then I'm kind of enjoying this stuff. Who'd have figured us old farts would find this stuff appealing. Kind of defeats the purpose of the rebellion of youth.

Reviewed May 22, 2005

The Chronicles Of Life And Death (©2004 Epic/Daylight)

1: Once Upon A Time: The Battle Of Life And Death 2: The Chronicles Of Life And Death 3: Walk Away (Maybe) 4: S.O.S. 5: I Just Wanna Live 6: Ghost Of You 7: Predictable 8: Secrets 9: The Truth 10: The World Is Black 11: Mountain 12: We Believe 13: It Wasn't Enough 14: In This World (Murder) 15: Falling Away

The guys are still mining their power pop bag of tricks. I know this is supposed to be the new punk – and yeah they’re all coloured up, and have funky hair – but this is polished pop music – with attitude. For all I know the boys are a bunch of posers, but dang they’re pretty good.

I like this album, and it’s pretty catchy throughout but there really aren’t any spectacular moments here. There is one weird one with “I Just Wanna Live” it reminds me a little of an Eminem castoff, and as terrible as it is, it got under my skin – it’s funny because you can’t tell if it’s tongue in cheek or being played straight. “We Believe” is their U2 song. If nothing else the guys are trying some newish things musically.

One of the things I like about these guys is that they put some effort into their lyrics – this isn’t just mindless drivel. Songs like “Meet Your Maker” are thought provoking, and you may not agree with their stance – but at least they’re taking one.

The Madden brothers are still really just kids, and hopefully they get better with age.

Reviewed July 28, 2005

Good Morning Revival (©2007)

1. Good Morning Revival (Intro) 2. Misery 3. The River 4. Dance Floor Anthem 5. Keep Your Hands off my Girl 6. Victims of Love 7. Where Would We Be? 8. Break Her Heart 9. All Black 10. A Beautiful Place 11. Something Else 12. Broken Hearts Parade 13. March On

As the Madden twins get older the delicate balancing act between pop and punk becomes harder and harder to pull off. Their Goth wannabee songs are out of sync with their optimistic songs. The juxtaposition between hopelessness and redemption highlight the tension within the album. Are the guys growing up, or are they desperately trying to stay in touch with the disenfranchised youth element by throwing everything they can think of against the wall to see what sticks?

Thank goodness I've long outgrown such puerile concerns. So I'm able to appreciate the music for what it is. Music, and love them or hate them they starting to mature and are looking for their own voice. Heck, if they had any real rock cred they wouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence - let alone be found on the same stage as Justin Timberlake. I'd not have thought that I'd enjoy power pop mixed in with an almost dance groove. "Dance Floor Anthem" is one of the standout tracks on the album. "Where Would We Be Now" sounds like it was lifted from Cold Play's "Clocks" but other songs like "All Black" are great tunes. As are "Misery" and the "March On".

In my opinion this is the best work from the band so far.

Reviewed January 5, 2007