Product Description

Chronicles of Life and Death is the follow-up to Good Charlotte’s breakthrough, The Young and the Hopeless. Packed with catchy punk-pop, the album is available in two versions, Life and Death which include the bonus songs "Falling Away" and "Meet My Maker", respectively.

Track Listing

1. Once Upon a Time: The Battle of Life and Death
2. The Chronicles of Life and Death
3. Walk Away (Maybe)
4. S.O.S.
5. I Just Wanna Live
6. Ghost Of You
7. Predictable
8. Secrets
9. The Truth
10. The World Is Black
11. Mountain
12. We Believe
13. It Wasn't Enough
14. In This World (Murder)
15. Meet My Maker
16. Wounded

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18800 in Music
• Released on: 2004-10-11
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
Good Charlotte's popularity exploded in 2002, when the brash singles "Anthem" and "Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous" catapulted them to the top of the punk-pop heap. Once there the combo couldn't be stopped, at least in part because they endorsed their pop side as much as their punk-derived image. When naysayers tried pointing out the music's lack of substance, Charlotte's irascible core--tattooed brothers Benji and Joel Madden--challenged them with the issue of "Boys and Girls", a vacuous yet irresistibly fizzy new wave-styled goof. Chronicles of Life and Death, Good Charlotte's first post-fame album, uses that status as a loosely binding concept. The Maddens are unquestionably happy with their celebrity. But they've also realised that money won't always buy happiness, or heal their old scars. After an indulgent string section intro, the title track begins to the beep of a heart-rate monitor. "Money talks/In this world," Joel Madden sings the song's modified power pop strut. "That's what idiots will say/But you'll find out/That this world/Is just an idiot's parade." It's the jaded realization on the other side of "Lifestyles"' stardom-baiting. Whereas their previous effort was, with a few notable exceptions, boisterous punk-pop, Chronicles includes an echoing relationship-woe piano ballad ("The Truth"), the subdued "Ghost of You"'s synthesizers and vocal harmonies, and quirky keyboards and acoustic guitars in the lyrically bitter "The World Is Black" ("I can't live when this world keeps dying..."). Joel Madden has also matured since Young and the Hopeless--his newly developed husky tenor suits him well on the more introspective material, but can still belt out the rousing punk-pop choruses of "Walk Away (Maybe)," "Predictable," and "Secrets." The album's best track might be its greatest departure. "I Just Wanna Live" is a punchy blend of power chords, string samples, and disco beats that features Madden rapping in a Nelly-inspired flow. For all their well-crafted ambition on Chronicles, "I Just Wanna Live" feels like Good Charlotte's centrepiece, since it's spiked with rock power, but gets its soul from the pop life they lead. [Chronicles of Life and Death was issued in "Life" and "Death" versions, each with a unique bonus track.] --Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide

CD Description
The follow up to 2002's hugely successful 'The Young And The Hopeless' sees Good Charlotte explore darker and deeper material, both lyrically and musically showing that they've grown out of the brash pop-punk of their two previous albums. The album comes in two versions, both featuring different artwork, and different album closers. This, the "death" version, includes the extra track 'Meet My Maker'.

Customer Reviews

chronicles of life and death = amazing
I very rarely come across an album in which I can sit and listen to it right through, and I have to say this album does just that and more.
At least 12 of the 15 tracks on this album are amazing, and the other 3 are pretty good too!
Many people (including me) were put off by the fact that good charlottes music has changed so radically from being high spirited punk rock, to gothic (perhaps even a little depressing) rock, but I was totally shocked at the originality of this album.
I must warn you, that if you're looking for an all guitar rock fest of an album, this may not be for you, as GC have toned down the guitars a bit and introduced a more orchestral aproach to the album. I'm not saying that there aren't any guitars at all, but there certainly aren't as many as before.
I'd recommend this album to any one looking for something different in a modern rock band, the vocals of the madden brothers are filled with enthusiasm and emotion and in my opinion the band as a whole deserve the highest praise possible. Before I heard this album, to me, GC were just another band. It is rare that an album totally changes my view on a band, and that is why I'd seriously recommend this album.
I hope my review was helpful to you.

Buy the chronicles of life and death!!!

A change in direction...
Good Charlotte have definately grown up in their few short years that they've been around and this album signals a new beginning for them. The Chronicles of Life and Death is so completely different to their previous two albums you could be forgiven for thinking you might have picked up the wrong album in the shop. For one, it opens with a strange but oddly compelling track sung in Japanese to which music the album also closes on. There are a few references to classic GC ('The Chronicles of Life and Death' and 'Secrets') but for the rest of the album they do a bit of genre hopping. Track 5 'I Just Wanna Live' sounds like they've spent too much time around NERD as they try their hand at a bit of amateur rap whilst also poking fun at their previous hit 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous'! My personal favourite track is 'In This World Murder', it's dark but also thought provoking and sounds like they've may have finally found their forte.

All band members try their hand at something different on the tracks and the production of the album. Guitarist Billy has started making his name as a top class artist after recently designing the layout for their last interview with Kerrang! and also the inlay booklet to the album. Joel's voice has matured since 'The Young and the Hopeless' and isn't so monotonous as he stretches his range. Check out 'We Believe' to hear him hit the highest note you've ever heard! This is also the first album that drummer Chris has appeared on and has done an adrirable job.

If you're not sure whether to buy the 'Life' or 'Death' version because of the bonus tracks I would recommend buying the 'Life' version. The extra track you get is more remminiscent of their first album and sounds like they haven't tried too hard and have come out with a cracker! There's also a hidden track after the bonus track on both albums called 'Wounded' which is very depressing but relaxing at the same time because of it's slow tempo acoustic sound.

If you like listening to an album of complete diversity and passion then this is the album for you!

My favourite album ever.....despite what everyone else says
The first time I ever heard Good Charlotte was when 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous' came on Kerrang! I thought they sounded pretty cool so I bought their second studio album 'The Young and the Hopeless'. Shortly after, I started to really tire of Good Charlotte. I had two friends whose conversation topics didn't exist besides Good Charlotte and I generally thought they were getting overplayed. After that, I think I threw the album out. Or scratched it, I don't remember.
'The Chronicles of Life and Death', the CD I am reviewing, was released in October 2004. It wasn't as heavily advertised as 'TYATH', so I kinda forgot about it until I saw it in a store. Initially, I bought it for my friend, but as I was on holiday, being incredibly bored, I decided to open it for a little preview....initially, I remember being a little confused by the opening track and being immediately taken by the title track. Nearly two years on, and awaiting the band's fourth studio release, here is my review of 'TCOLAD'

1. (Once Upon A Time) The Battle Of Life And Death
This song is heavy on the string section, and has Japanese women singing the Japanese vocals. You can't tell that it's Good Charlotte from listening to it, but it's a beautiful, orchestral song.
2. The Chronicles Of Life And Death
This is the song on the album that is the most straight up Punk-Pop, and is most reminiscent of The Young And The Hopeless. It has a real hook and gets stuck in your head right away.
3. Walk Away (Maybe)
As it says in the title, this song tells it like it is. How you should really face and deal with your problems, but how everyone finds it so easy and tempting just to walk away.
4. SOS
Joel Madden has said that this song is the prequel to 'Hold On'. And you can tell from listening to it, it's very angsty and is somebody crying for help. Great song. Has a really cool solo in the middle too.
5. I Just Wanna Live
By far the most poppy track on the album, everybody I know likes this song. Once again, it's got a real hook and gets straight in your head. Sends a powerful message too.
6. The Ghost Of You
One of my favourite Good Charlotte songs ever, and probably my favourite song on the album. A really beautifully written, sad love song about losing someone and them not coming back. You need to listen to this.
7. Predictable
The first single off TCOLAD is once again very angsty, and has a heavy bass riff. Joel's vocal breakdown in the middle is also really sad. A real turning point for Good Charlotte.
8. Secrets
Probably my least favourite song on the album, but still great. Just a little weaker lyrically than the other tracks.
9. The Truth
This song is so simple, but so sad. Joel's vocals are heart wrenching, and I guarantee this song will make you cry.
10. The World Is Black
The title sums it up, this song opens with a funny synth, but the lyrics aren't as playful. It sends a real message about the world, and is a great song with a great melody
11. Mountain
Similar to The Ghost Of You, as both songs are co-written by guitarist Billy Martin, this song sways between fast pace and slower pace, and does it well. Lyrically very strong, also. A love song.
12. We Believe
The most different song on the album, whereas many other tracks are heavier and darker this one seems to offer a ray of light. Great track.
13. It Wasn't Enough
A really strong song, lyrically with a really cool vocal/piano break in the middle with a cool piano effect.
14. In This World (Murder)
Joel's vocals go all whispery on this song, and it'll send chills down your spine. In This World ends with the same orchestral music that the album began with, which may suggest reincarnation.

15.[Life Version Bonus Track] Falling Away - Another straight up pop-punk love song about somebody fading away and becoming out of reach.
15.[Death Version Bonus Track] Meet My Maker - One of my favourites, Meet My Maker closes the album incredibly respectively, with a great melody and lyrics that really make you think.

[Hidden Track] Wounded - The most untextured song on the album, but it is simply stunning. The lyrics, save for the part about bleeding on a rug, are really simple and hit you where it hurts.


I would recommend this album to any Good Charlotte fan =]