If it ain't broke, Don't fix it. (The Young And The Hopeless - Good Charlotte)

Member Name: seano1993

Product:	The Young And The Hopeless - Good Charlotte
Date:	07/09/09 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Catchy songs that don't drag on.

Disadvantages: Two dismal songs

"The Young and Hopeless" is Good Charlotte's second album. Their first album was brilliant in my opinion and I was looking forward to find out if the follow up would be as good.

The album starts out with an instrumental called "A New Beginning" which is a good way to start off the album. Then its on to one of the biggest hits off the album, "The Anthem". Its a good song but a bit predictable and the chorus gets very annoying after a while. Its followed by another song ruined by its constant rotation on MTV a few years ago, "Lifestyles Of The Rich and Famous". Its starts off with Iggy Pop's drum loop and then turns into a catchy pop song. Benji Madden and Billy Martin may not be the most talented guitarists in the world but they do know how to write a catchy little riffs, which is illustrated on the fourth song, "Wondering". Apparently its written about Benji's dog, and contains all the elements of what Good Charlotte are best at: catchy guitar and bass lines, sing-along choruses and unashamedly bad lyrics.

The first serious song is track 5, "Story of My Old Man". Its about Benji
and Joel's father who left them when they were 16. It shows a more mature side to the band while still remaining undeniably infectious. But just as you thought Good Charlotte had grown up with their lyrics, the next track "Girls and Boys" comes along. It is an awful song and some of the lyrics are identical to the blur song of the same name and if Damien Albarn heard it he would probaby hop on the nearest plane to Waldorf and shoot the band.

The next song is more interesting, "My Bloody Valentine". Its about a man killing the boyfriend of a woman and lyrically it is way different than anything Good Charlotte have ever attempted. While it is more dark than their other songs its still hard to take seriously. It is one of my favourite songs on the album though for its fast verses and the slick guitar in it.

"Hold On", the next song also deals with a very serious matter. While the bands intentions to tell people thinking about suicide to "Hold On" are noble, as a song it isn't very good and it reminds me of the worst song on the album, "Girls And Boys".

"Riot Girl" is a much lighter song than the previous one and is much nicer to listen to aswell. It does get very tiring very fast put it still has a cheeky charm to it. The following song, "Say Anything" is actually the first boring song on the album. I can't really tell you any more about it as it sends me to sleep everything I listen to it.

"The Day that I Die" is my favourite song on the album. Its about death but is also strangely uplifting. Benji and Joel sing together throughout and it works well. "The Young and Hopeless" is the albums title track and is very emotionally-charged and is very similar to "The Anthem".

"Emotionless" is a pretty average song about the twin's father and shows that Good Charlotte with acoustic guitars doesn't really work.
The album ends with "Movin On" which is a perfect closer to one of pop-punks greatest albums.

Summary: Good Charlotte again show why they are the true kings of pop-punk.