Good Charlotte - The Chronicles of Life & Death (Life Art Version)
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Free Music Notes for The Chronicles of Life & Death (Life Art Version)
Free Music Review: Commentary
Hit: 5 Stars
I just scanned through the reviews posted for both versions of this CD. Such passionate opinions of love or hate! These boys MUST be doing something right to evoke such response! I posted a review on the Death Version CD 10/04 (Spread your Wings) but I felt the need to expound on Life Version posts. I believe I can clarify a few things with some absolute statements along with opinion, but first, I would like to say, good grief, educate yourself before reviewing an artist.
1. The first track was written to be recorded in Japanese. A Japanese choir recorded it. GOOD CHARLOTTE DID NOT SING OR PLAY ON THIS TRACK.
2. Everyone has a right to opinion. (If you do not like the music, that is ok. If you do not 'get' the music, that is ok. If you DO like an artists' music, that is ok too. No one has to defend his or her personal taste in music.)
3. With some artists, if you do not understand the people behind the music/lyrics, sometimes you can't understand the music/lyrics. GC is such a band. GC founders and lyric writers Benji and Joel Madden are influenced by family traumas, spirituality, and often make social commentary in lyrics.
4. Sometimes lyrics are spiritual reference, tongue in cheek, allegory, metaphors, or plain out sarcasm, folks. Yes, Good Charlotte is quite well aware they wrote a political commentary called "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," and that they ARE now the rich and famous. The irony is not lost on them. Listen to the lyrics of I Just Wanna Live.
5. Questionable taste and judgment by a band member in dating underage girls (Hilary Duff) has nothing to do with the CD.
6. Fashion choices, piercings, and tattoos have nothing to do with the CD.
7. These young men are smart, business oriented, and ambitious. Of course, they are going to market their merchandise. They have an artistic bend and pursue their muses, but their art is their career. This is their JOB. (Do you not work to make money?)
8. These young men sought fame and fortune. It was a GOAL. Of course, they are going to appear 'on the video, or the radio, in the magazines, on the movie screens.' (What does the latest special appearance have to do with the content of the CD one is supposed to be reviewing?)
9. Punk, Rock, or Pop? (Who cares? The music industry labels bands, and the punk label was an up and coming hot commodity when this band hit the scenes.) GC built its fan base not on MTV, but by blood and sweat touring quite a few years ago. Many bands they toured with were labeled punk. Their fan base got them on MTV. GC is influenced heavily by many facets and genres including punk and hip hop. (Today's modern 'punk' genre is pretty much a joke all around to anyone that actually knows the history of punk music. I find it funny that bands that a few years ago fell under the alternative label are now called 'punk.' Eschew labels, folks.)
10. There are better bands than GC. There are worst bands than GC.
11. A CD review should not be written based on the fact that you think a band member is a hottie.
12. A CD review should not be written based on the fact that you can't understand why the girls in your English class think a band member is hot.
13. Comments such as "Good Charlotte is gay" is not a review.
14. To find a hidden track on a CD: After the last labeled/numbered track plays, let the 'dead air' play. The hidden track will eventually play. You cannot skip to hidden tracks as they are not programmed by a number. You must play through the dead air. The only short cut is to memorize the run time of dead air between the last numbered track and when the hidden track begins. Then you can fast forward to right before the hidden track begins. If you own other GC CD's, employ the same method to find the hidden tracks on those CD's also.
You may ask what right do I have to make such definitive statements and opinions?
1. I am not a moron that bases my opinion of a band's MUSIC and LYRICS on anything other than their MUSIC and LYRICS.
2. I respect others right to taste in music. I can respect the right but not agree with their taste.
3. I take the time to educate myself before offering an opinion on something I do not comprehend.
4. I have eclectic taste in music, and an open mind to sample all varieties. If I do not like it, I do not listen to it again. I do not go online and post ignorant and/or hate filled reviews.
5. I, too, have a right to express my opinion.
Free Music Review: they r awesome.. arent afraid to try something new!~!~!
Hit: 5 Stars
omfg... people u guyz always critizing and dissing good charlotte i mean they r a descent a band and they sing really good. they work on the catchyest tunes i admit cuz they want some good music they r not the most talented guitar players best singers but they work realyyy hard and have some good music in their past cd's and their new cd's is really good to i mean u wont like it the first time u listen to it! if u think that good charlotte sux well guess what they defenetily dont cuz they sell a descent-to good amount of cd's and have a ass load of fans. AND WHY DOES EVERYONE ARGUE IF THEY R PUNK OR NOT??? it doesnt f'in matter they r just creating good music. it doesnt matter if they r pop punk they r still gunna have a milllion fans , do concerts all over the world and be on MTV and remail popular so anyways the cd' s pretty good its better than their first cd' but not better than the "young and the hopeless" which kicks a**. this cd proves that good charlotte r keepin up with thier music and they r showeing their darker side they have some songs that show the darkness and gothic and stuff. so yeah this cd is pretty good here i'll rate the songs:
1. once opon a time: the battle of life and death: 6/10 ok first off its in a weird language and joel doesnt even sing in it! but it has that dark feeling and good drums and guitar
2. the chronicles of life and death 6/10 : very catchy tune we can tell they didnt work hard on this song guitar music is poor. but the singing is good
3.walk away: 5/10 this song doesnt have a very good beat but has a good meaning like face ur challenges
4. sos - 8/20 excellent lyrics and good tune its a lil sad its kinda like seasons from their first cd not very good music.
5. i just wanna live- 9/10 this is song is freakin awesome it has a hip hop feeling in it it has a very good beat good lyrics and i like how this digitally pitched the voice high saying "i just wanna live" and yeah but the only thing bad is that its video is kinda gayy.
6. ghost of you - 9/10 this song is really good nice lyrics good music in it and i like in the chorus how its start pickin up
7. predictable 10/10- my fav. song this song kicks ass. the mood is tense and angry in this song excellent excellent music guitars that "new" instrument and billy did a good job with guitar excellent lyrics. and i lovve the message of this song that "u know the ending of this relationship u know whats gunna hppen ur so predictable"
8. secrets -8/10 - this song is amzing and the starting rocks i like how he strums 4 times then it swings in a beautiful rhymic chorus and the lyrics r good and the music is really good the message "everybody hides their dirty secrets"
9. the truth- 2/10 this song sucks ass. its slow the guitars suck the lyrics sux and the singing really sux if u wanna listen to some good charlotte songs listen to "emotionless" or "wounded" not this one.
10. the world is black. 9/10 very catchy tune good lyrics but theres almost no guitars and drums in it
11. mountain. 9/10 - excellent starting and good lyrics good music this song rocks i like the starting and when the song stops in the middle and goes really good tune the drums r really fast and the ending where the voice is computerized high pitched and stuff.
12. we believe 8/10 - very sad songs good tune its kinda sad but the singing is excellent
13. it wasnt enough 7/10- good chorus .
14. in this world 9/10 excellent words in the song its kind of a dark side serious song very good chorus tune, guitars and music one of the bset songs its message is "we choose death over innocent life" (money more important than innocent life)
15. falling away-8/10 good starting music its a good songs overall
bonus track in the other version.- meet my maker 4/10 its a big song and its not very good its alright at times.
hidden track- wounded 9/10 this song is awesome it is so sad and joel sings sooo dam good in this song this song is to listen to at night to fall asleep its a very sweet song.
SO OVERALL THIS IS A PRETTY GOOD CD' I ' SAY AND YEAH IF U DONT HAVE ANY OF GC'S CD ALREADY I SUGGSET U BUY "THE YOUNG AND THE HOPELESS" FIRST CUZ THAT CD IS MUCHHH BETTER THAN THIS ONE AND IF UR A HUGE GC FAN THAN U NEED THIS !~!~! PEACE OUT PEOPLE AND GC HATERS GO TALK AABOUT SOME BAND U LIKE DONT TALK ABOUT BANDS U DONT LIKE. GO BUY THIS CD!!!! GOOD CHARLOTTE ROXXX!~!~ AND U GOOD CHARLOTE FANS ROCK TOOO
Free Music Review: This One's in Defense of the Real Music
Hit: 5 Stars
After seeing most reviews state Good Charlotte are "posers", or that they are "OMG SOOOO AWESOME I LUV PUNK!!11!shift!!one!!1!", I figured I'd write a review in the defense of music that I believe is NOT like all the other mainstream crap out there.
I used to be a die-hard fan of GC. I've branched out incredibly, and I must say I barely listen to them anymore. (I listen to such a wide array, I can't say single group gets more playtime than another.) But that doesn't mean that I still don't think that Good Charlotte is an extremely talented and devoted music group. I still think that they are worth listening to. Here's why.
Let's examine the CD that I'm currently reviewing, The Chronicles of Life and Death. Hmmm, all cover art is designed by guitarist Billy Martin, and all songs are written by the band. In the catagory of authentism, that's pretty good.
Are the subjects of the songs real? Let's see.
1) Once Upon A Time: The Battle Of Life And Death- An instrumental with Japenese vocals; very different and pretty cool I might add.
2) The Chronicles of Life and Death - We live and we die; this is a song that tells it like it is. Very real.
3) Walk Away - A song stating that we can walk away from our problems but shouldn't. I can relate.
4) S.O.S. - I've read that Good Charlotte wrote this in response to letters they've received about people stating that can't take it and don't think they can go on. I think a whole lot of teens can relate to this.
5) I Just Wanna Live - Either you love it or hate it right? A little strange, but shows that the guys in GC are only out there to LIVE and to give others with the same idea an anthem.
6) Ghost of You - The first song that actually might have something to do with a girl. Beautifully written and sad. When I listen, I think of losing someone and finally coming to terms with the fact that they're never coming back.
7) Predictable - Poppy and angsty. Turns out Benji and Joel wrote this about their father that left them. Could also have something to do with a romantic relationship. Listen to this one to let your feelings out.
8) Secrets - Everybody has secrets. And that's fine right? But maybe we shouldn't, we COULD stand up to them.
9) The Truth - Okay, this one is slow and depressing. But it grows on you, because, like the title says, it's true. No lies, just the truth.
10) The World Is Black - One of my favorites because it really describes the situation the world is in with all the war and hurt, and really gets to your heart.
11) Mountain - Give up anything for love. Nice, and also, beautifully written. It's just about Love.
12) We Believe - The world is falling apart but love can save us. Some may say "cheesy", but I say "Wow, you're right."
13) It Wasn't Enough - The faith in God is unsteady with all the horrible things happening. Powerful.
14) In This World (Murder) - GC likes to write about real things that matter, and whether this is about the wrongness of abortion, or just that money isn't everything, I like it.
15) Falling Away - Someone is gradually getting farther away. A good relationship song.
And Here ends the description of songs. Let's review. Good Charlotte doesn't seem like whiny rockers to me, they seem like musicians who would like to voice their opinion of the world, and to let other people use their music as a way to let their feelings out since it's so easy to relate to.
I think GC is unlike any other band. The music is beautiful and so are the lyrics. I'd reccommend this CD to anyone, even though most bands GC are related to aren't my taste. This may be why some people who've never heard their stuff think they just whine and sing about death. No, it's just too unique.
I'm sick of people calling Good Charlotte posers or only talking about how the guys look. I'm here for the music, and the music gets an A+ with me.
Do yourself a favor, and just LISTEN to it, not all the people just trying to credit themselves by putting this band down.
Free Music Review: a catchy cd with a dark side
Hit: 5 Stars
this cd is really good. yes i am a teen, so some people think i might not get what exactly they are talking about in this album. most of the songs are catchy, or fun to listen too no matter how old you are, or if your listening harder as if to understand a deeper meaning then what is in the song. the lyrics are good, and on real life issues, no matter the age. it does have a punk rock sound pretty much throughout the album although with some songs like the trueth are a little off that sound. here is what i think of each song 1 by 1 in a scale of 10-
1. once apon a time: the battle of life and death- 1/10 its a freaky sounding high pitched intro with no audible words. more of wailing, i dont know what it is exactly but i dont like and always skip it.
2.the chronicles of life and death- 7/10 a catchy upbeat song detailing "life and death and everything in between"
3.walk away (maybe)- 6/10 again a more upbeat melody, even though the lyrics are much darker and is more of the "death" side of this album, talking about the regrets in life and how it sometimes may be "easier to walk away from everything" but your really should face it
4.s.o.s.- 7/10 more upbeat melody this time your listening to more of a plead for help. telling us that you cant do it on your own and asks you to listen "cuz i need somebodys help, i cant make it on my own"
5.i just wanna live-9/10 much less in these lyrics unless your a high profile star. it talks about why other people care what your doing, what other people say ("all the things they say, yeah we already know") and how its hard to trust people sometimes {"im paranoid of all the people meet, why are they talking to me)
6.ghost of you-6/10 slower in the begaining then picks up a bit with a little of a new age sound in the backround. on the "death" side of the album not one of my favorites
7.predictable-9/10 the 1st single off this album and most people have herd it. about how people can just up and leave after youve let them in your heart, like all the other. just using you, and why they dont let other people in."everyone i meet, everytime i try to fall in love, they all wanna know why am i so broken
8.secrets- 8/10 more of the new wave backround about how everyone has secrets that "everybody wants to hide thier dirty little secrets away" and how you should stand up to the dark
9.the trueth- 5/10way off the normal GC and not much that i wanna listen to. a little to slow and way too much that jessica simpson could sing, although it does show that they can sing....
10.the world is black-8/10 upbeat melodys again very catchy although the words are agian darker then the sound. its about how the world is dark and cold. it has nothing to do with race, and its talking about how people say that "the world is black and hearts are cold " and how everyones and everyday is the same
11.mountain-6/10 the sound isnt great, and the words really dont make much sence and are a little repeditive saying that they would do anything and arent on a mountain... but youd think they were having trouble with the thin air anyways
12. we belive -7/10 more of the darkness in this song, talking about death and wars but sends a good message, andtrying to make things right and fighting for what your belive in
13. it wasnt enough-8/10 upbeat again with the melody but talks of how its hard to belive in what you cnt see, and "ive given all i can, it want enough"
14. in this world (murder)-9/10 good sound with meaning full words. telling now people tend to choose over money over life, and all "the pointless suffering, and in my hearti wanna undo all this murder?"
15.falling away (bonus track for life version)-8/10 upbeat song but again darker words, but its a great song to listen to, and listen to what thier saying and a great melody
overall the cd is beyond awesome, and itsw so rare to like every song on a cd that the couple i dont like really dont effect my rating. use the skip button when needed and enjoy a GREAT album i recomend it to all rock/puck loving people
Free Music Review: Best CD this Year
Hit: 5 Stars
i've gotta say, i loved the Young and the Hopeless, but this cd makes it look immature. Benji, Joel, Billy and Paul have completely grown as musicians and songwriters, and Chris makes suck a great addition. so now here are the songs:
1. Once Upon a Time: The Battle of Life and Death- this is actually my least favorite song, because I'm not a huge fan of instrumentals. I do like that GC makes them, however, because it shows that they can go past the rock and punk and pop and move into actual composing. Props to Benji for writing it. 5/10
2. The Chronicles of Life and Death- My favorite line in this song is "you come in this world and you go out just the same." it's one that could have been on the Y &H, but is still brilliant 9/10
3. Walk Away (Maybe)- this is one of their catchiest songs EVER written, and i'm really glad they didn't make it the single, because it would get overplayed and i would be sick of it. Now, I can just listen and enjoy. 14/10
4. SOS- its thematically similar to Third Eye Blind's Jumper, but I really like it. They're starting to have solos in their songs! 10/10
5. I Just Wanna Live- this is the one all the punk lovers are gonna want to shoot GC for. It wouldn't sound out of place of a Justin Timberlake album (if it weren't for the fact that Joel's voice is way better than Justin's), and the chorus has the main riff from Smells Like Teen Spirit, but it's insanely fun to dance too, and I gotta applaud them for having the balls to put such a complete hip hop song on the album. Plus, the lyrics are aweome. 11/10
6. Ghost of You- this one was co-written by Billy, and it's amazing. Really good for walking, driving, or just being in the rain. kinda slow, but great. 13/10
7. Predictable- ah yes the single. well, it'll probably get overplayed, but right now I still love it. it's got a lot of rock elements in it. 9/10
8. Secrets- i absolutely love the line "if you could dance with me through this rain" the bass solo is awesome and it's an amazing song. 11/10
9. The Truth- just piano, drums and Joel. the ballad of the cd. Joel's voice kinda cracks at the end, which annoys me, but it's a sweet song. Another rainy day one. 9/10
10. The World Is Black- Joel plays the guitar in this one! It sounds kinda like the Cure, but it's awesome. 13/10
11. Mountain- this is my absolute FAVORITE song...Billy co-wrote it too, and the guitars are amazing. Along with the words. They played it in concert, and it just blew me away. 15/10
12. We Believe- more slow, and sounds alot like U2, but still really sweet and ...yeah 9/10
13. It Wasn't Enough- the bridge is awesome. 9/10
14. In This World (Murder)- really good message. more dark but awesome. 10/10
15. Falling Away- great to dance to, but still rock. I like it alot. 11/10
BONUS- Wounded- it's an acoustic with Benji singing, but it's so heart-wrenching. I was crying my eyes out the first time I heard it. Gorgeous. 13/10