Well, the guys of Good Charlotte – Joel (vocals), Benji Madden (guitars), Billy Martin (guitars/keyboards), Paul Thomas (bass) and Dean Butterworth (drums) – have done it again and have released their fourth album, “Good Morning Revival.” But don't be expecting to find their usual pop-punk angst on this album: With this one they are determined to reinvent themselves.
They have returned to working with producer Don Gilmore, who also did their self-titled debut album. Don told them to be ready and bring their “A” game. He wanted people to ask themselves, “Is that Good Charlotte?” "Don wanted a fresh, new us," Joel explains. “He said, ‘If you guys are ready for that, then I want to work with you.’ Of course, we are so ready for that, you have no idea. Don kept pushing us and we'd keep bringing songs to him. He would either say ‘yeah’ or ‘nah, it's not what I'm looking for.’” Don suggested taking the guys out of L.A. so they could work without interruptions.
"We wanted to love every track," bassist Paul Thomas explains. "Our goal this time out was to make an awesome listen, straight through. No filler!”
I am sure everyone is already familiar with the album’s first single, "The River," an impassioned song about sin and redemption that draws the drapes on the dark side of Los Angeles. The guys from GC brought longtime friends M. Shadows and Synyster Gates of Avenged Sevenfold into the mix, marking the first time GC have officially collaborated with another artist on an album.
"We've been friends with Avenged for a long time. This wasn't planned, but it ended up working out," Joel explains. "We were sitting around listening to some new music and they liked the song so we asked them to jump on. It felt right and sounded really cool. Aside from being friends of ours, we're also fans of their music
, and since this is our first collaboration, we couldn't be happier that they're a part of our record."
There is a lot you can expect from this album, but one thing for sure: It definitely does NOT sound like Good Charlotte. With their song "Misery," the first two seconds sound like another band, Linkin Park. They have definitely come out and are trying different sounds – and it works. It is a more grown-up sounding album. Lots of love gained and lost, but the outcome ROCKS!
Be sure to check out the bands’ upcoming tour plans. And check out the video for their single "River." The band got together and got fans to send pictures of themselves, and added them into the video’s background. You might see someone you know! Thanks to Libby Henry and everyone at MSO for all their help in getting me the info to do this review. For more info, pics, tour dates, and everything else on Good Charlotte, check out goodcharlotte.com or myspace.com/goodcharlotte.
