ALBUM REVIEW BY PHONZ L. THOMAS

Brace yourselves music enthusiasts as rock band Good Charlotte prepares to release their fifth studio album, Cardiology dropping November 2^nd, 2010. The band consisting of vocalist Joel Madden, guitarists Benji Madden and Billy Martin, bass player Paul Thomas and drummer Dean Butterworth made a transition in record labels and are now in Capitol Records impeccable roster of talent. Many Good Charlotte fans have been silently waiting for the next project, well if it’s any consolation Cardiology is definitely worth the wait. Already making headlines this summer with the first single, “Like It’s Her Birthday” which tells the story of a guy taking his chick out for what’s intended to be just a quiet night but ends up becoming a couple getting ‘rock star wasted’ doing a bunch of stuff they don’t remember the next day, makes the perfect introduction to this new project.

Each track on Cardiology tells its own story. “Let the Music Play” is a track that anyone who has had a messed up work day can listen to, to recharge and get in the ‘feel good’ groove.  “Counting the Days” describes a dysfunctional relationship that’s become routine and mundane and finding a formula to fix it before the relationship comes to a close. “Sex on the Radio” describes how intimate encounters with your other half can sound just like a song on the radio. “Alive” is another up-tempo pop/rock sounding track that tells the story about falling in love for the first time.

While Good Charlotte does a great job with the up-tempo anthems, their Cardiology also provides some more intimate and touching rock ballads about life. “Harlow’s Song” is Joel’s dedication to his first born daughter, while “Standing Ovation” can be interpreted as an appreciation for life with an almost religious undertone to it. Other tracks off the album that we enjoyed were “Silver Screen Romance,” “First Plane Home,” and “Right Where I Belong.” Overall, the album is a complete success which we would have to give a perfect ten for its content, lyrical usage and sound. Listening wise, this is one album that you can pop in and pay attention to completely through without hitting the ‘next selection’ button which is rare these days. Benji Madden was on to something when he told MTV in an interview back in May, “We were like, ‘You know, we really want to dig deep on this record, just kind of reconnect with the fans that have been with us the whole way.’ Just kind of let them back in. And that’s what we tried to do.” Be sure to show your support for Good Charlotte November 2^nd when Cardiology is released in stores and online everywhere.