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The Chronicles of Life & Death (Death Art Version) (by Good Charlotte, Punk Rock)

common sense media says

Interesting and evocative, but one CD is enough.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Good Charlotte gets to the heart of the matter with graphic (but PG-rated) imagery. Some fans might find it irritating that there are two versions of this CD, with the only variation being the bonus track.

Positive messages: Some dark social commentary, all too appropriate for our times.
Violence: Lots of death imagery, in kind of a Halloween-spooky way.
Sex: Sophisticated relationship themes, but nothing explicit.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: TWO practically identical CDs!
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Nothing obvious.

More on The Chronicles of Life & Death (Death Art Version)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about whether they think this double-album is a clever idea or a rip-off.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Good Charlotte joins the ranks of bands releasing two CDs simultaneously with THE CHRONICLES OF LIFE AND DEATH, with the only differentiation being the cover art and a bonus track. True-blue fans and collectors, of course, will have to buy both. After a ponderous beginning that includes orchestral strings, choral singing, and church bells, the band settles into a collection of energetic punk-pop, with more sophisticated themes than on previous albums. Imagery is graphic, though PG-rated, with lyrics like "You come in cold/you're covered in blood/they're all so happy you've arrived/the doctor cuts your cord/hands you to your mom/she sets you free into this life" (on the title song) or "So this is it/this is my life/it's ending tonight...whoa, it's alright" on the "Death" bonus track.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Over all, the lyrics of The Chronicles of Life and Death reveal some deeper thought about big issues, and will be appreciated more by thoughtful teens than by younger kids. The music is performed with vibrant immediacy, and the Madden brothers, Good Charlotte's centerpiece, turn in terrific performances. If angst-filled posturing comes with the territory, so what? Somehow everyone still sounds as though they're having fun.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: October 5, 2004
Label: Sony Music
Genre: Punk Rock

This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

 
I love IT!
The album is outstanding! One of Good Charlottes best!

 
I love it!
Why is this 14+ It is totally find for 10+. Anyway this cd rocks. But I think I liked the young and the hopeless better cuz that was more of an immature cd and this 1 is totally serious, and has really weird beats in the beginning of some of the songs, but overall it's an awesome CD! Ps: If u like 'Good Charlotte' u'll probably like 'Sum 41'

 
pretty good
I must admit I'm in fact a closet Good Charloette fan. I usually listen to The Ramones (who are the greatest band ever) and The Clash. However when the sun goes down and no one else is around I like to crank them up and rock out to them.

 
this cd sux
this a crappy cd made by a bunch of sellouts and no good charolette is not one of the best bands of alll time the beatles pink floyd led zeppelin wats wrong with u?

 
helpful
they did it again they sang about what is going on in their lives, just like their last cd it has helped me through so many things in my life

 
New and Improved
On Good Charlotte's third album, the band continues to blend styles such as rock, pop, punk, and hip hop. There are even some electronic, almost techno, dancy parts this time around. The lyrics are still fairly simple and straightforward, not very offensive. Instead of leaning towards the sound of Green Day as they have in the past, Good Charlotte appear to have been listeing to more The Cure and Morrisey lately. This album finds Good Charlotte with their catchiest songs to date, as well as improved vocal stylings by lead singer Joel and his twin Benji, who sings backup and is one of the bands two guitarists ( the other one is Billy). Bassist Paul and new drummer Chris create the tighest rhythm section that this band has had yet. Highlights include the infectious second single "I Just Wanna Live," the surprising piano driven "The Truth," and the seemingly anti-war track "In This World (Murder)."

 
it was odd...
I wasn't really sure about this album. It seemed kind of spooky instead of rockin'. I didn't really listen to it much...although I have it. The song 'I just wanna live' is the best and the catchiest and most advertised. Overall this was an okay CD, they've done better though. (Some people might like the darkness, but I just wasn't feeling it...)

avatar
adult
 
i think it is a great band
good charlotte is the greatest band of all time

MJ000
teen, 18 years old
 

stillconfused
teen, 15 years old
 
UHHH!!!!
Okay, I don't really like this album, and I don't really care, the only reason I wrote this article is to critisize CS's views on the '2 CDs' thing. PEOPLE DO THAT ALL THE FREAKING TIME!! If you go on iTunes and browse for a while, I guarantee you'll find at least one album that is the "Bonus Track Version". I personally think that although Good Charlotte is a lame, mainstream, propagandish band, it's a pretty creative idea to make a "Life" version and a "Death" version.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age