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GC = [L to R] Dusty, Paul, Billy, Joel, Benji |
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When Siblings Rock
Guitar World Washington Post Charlottes Web Use Your Voice Music Monthly GC Lives Up To Its Name Music Head Interview with Joel hiponline interview, bio, etc GC in Teen Spoof Movie GC movie news 2 Localmusic.com TV Guide chat with Benji + Joel Lycos Chat with Benji + Joel |
GC Lives Up To It's Name By Adam Ramsey Voices Online I was very uncertain when I purchased Good Charlotte's self-titled debut. I did some research before I bought it, and that research has disconcerted me. The band's Web site was touting it as a fusion of punk and rap, a thought I cringed at. I had first learned about the band by seeing its video for "Little Things" at 4 a.m. on MTV, the time when MTV still plays videos. That video had given me hope. The song was catchy pop/punk, and they certainly weren't dressed in standard rapper attire. So with mixed opinions, I bought the album and was pleasantly surprised at the results. To start off, Good Charlotte does not live up to its Web site's statement of a rap/punk fusion. There is little to no rap on the album, and never enough to get above sounding like reggae, which I'm quite fond of. But I can understand the rap/punk thing, its a lot more radio friendly than reggae/punk. The opening track, and first single, "Little Things" starts off with the lead singer shouting, "This song goes out to all those kids who were ever picked last in gym class … all those kids who never had a date to no high school dance … to all those kids who were ever called a freak … this is for you." I automatically knew I was going to like it, considering I've been all three at one point. It's a catchy song from its sing-along chorus to its rumbling punk bass line. The rest of the album falls into two categories: catchy songs that you'll be singing all day, and good songs that won't remember because of the better ones. In other words, there are no bad songs on the album. Just some are better than others are. The lead singer ranges from sounding like Aaron Barret (Reel Big Fish) to Steven Jenkins (Third Eye Blind) to A. Jay Popoff (Lit) but still sounding original. The better tracks include "Waldorfwordwide" (a reggae song with an ultra-catchy chorus), "East Coast Anthem" (just makes you proud to be an Atlantic Coaster), "Festival Song" (for anyone who's ever been told there dreams won't come true), and "Seasons" (for anyone who ever lost a love and wanted one more chance). But some of the most heartfelt lyrics are on the hidden track, "Momma's Song." Anyway, buy this album. It's a great little gem of punk, with a little reggae for good measure. How can you beat that?
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