cdreview2

“This song is dedicated to every kid who ever got picked last in gym class/to every kid who never had a date to no school dance/to everyone that’s ever been called a freak… this is for you!”

From the very first words of their eponymously-titled debut album, it becomes apparent that Good Charlotte is a band that can have fun rocking out while saying something substantial. With a catchy, quirky hook and a driving riff, their up-and-coming single “Little Things” sets the tone for the rest of the disc: self-deprecating, insightful, and last but not least, hard rocking.

Their harmonies are beautiful, their musical ability is solid, and their songwriting is great. They create tracks with rocking beats that one can’t help but dance to (to paraphrase Dick Clark)! Powerfully produced by Don Gilmore (Lit, Eve 6), and as exciting as this disc is, these guys seem like a band begging to be seen live in concert. Anthemic tunes like “Festival Song” (appropriately named) are sure to be real winners bursting out of a concert sound system. “Complicated” is as catchy as the other twelve tracks on this disc, while a tune like the hidden album closer shows the band’s softer side.

The “Sweet Child O’Mine” guitar lick that opens “Screamer” is a fun touch, while the song itself is just as catchy as the rest of the disc. The twin brothers, Joel on lead vocals and Benji on lead guitar, make this a totally worthwhile first effort. Their band mates, Billy (who is still in high school) on guitar, Paul on Bass, and Aaron on drums, complete this outfit and make it one to keep an eye on in the years to come. If their future efforts improve on this one, they will have worked magic. Then again, they might have already.