good charlotte -- the young and the hopeless
overall: 0
sound quality: 9 music quality: -5 production: 9 originality: -5
These guys are what their CD calls them. Hopeless is too easy a word to use to describe the teeny-pop-"punk" rock known as Good Charlotte. This CD is the one reason I am mad at the world.
Where to begin? The singer/guitarist dresses like a hardcore punk rocker, yet his music is so shallow and, to be nice, worthless. Lyrically, musically, and on every level this CD is the compilation of worthless teenage pop rock that will not last for more than 10 seconds. When I heard this "lyric," I simply fell out of my chair: "girls with the bodies like boys with ferarris, girls don't like boys, girls like cars and money." You might ask, "Is this some silly secret song on the disc? It's a joke, right?" THE ANSWER IS NO.
This whole CD encompasses everything I hate about bad music. It's the epitome of worthless trash, and should be thrown away before it even hits the shelves. I'm sure all the kids who just listen for the image will dig it, and the production is of course way above average, but what else would you expect from these MTV-TRL rockers?
If you visit this site, and like some of the music reviewed, do yourself a favor and do not, under any circumstances, buy this CD. That is, if you want to listen to good music; if you want to laugh at the horribly written music and half-assed attempts at "emo," feel more than free to download it.
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watashi wa -- the love of life
overall: 10
sound quality: 10 music quality: 10 production: 10 originality: 10
The Love Of my life is, all too easily and simply, music. Watashi Wa's The Love Of Life, out on Tooth And Nail Records, is an exemplary follow-up to their last indie release, What's In The Way, and showcases the band's uniquely infectious songwriting and incredibly powerful style. Perhaps the thing that made Watashi Wa's new record my favorite so far this year (and probably for the rest of it) was the huge pop sound. Without any hint of sadness or depression, the band's rocking power-pop is insanely happy and energetic, and if a record could feel like love, (as cheesy as that sounds), Watashi Wa's The Love Of Life would be it.
From the start of All Of Me's sensationally driving melodies and huge guitar lines to the echoing of Seth's unique vocals at the end of Life Is Beautiful, this CD simply rocks. From insane hook to soaring vocal line, and right back to the driving beats and rhythms that only a mature pop band could handle, these guys have simply honed their talent to a form of near perfection. While the band is catchy, poppy, and powerfully sincere, these guys simply do not fit into any sort of cookie-cutter definition of music. And that's what makes this record so distinct; a unique vocal style and dark melodies combined with jubilant, happy lyrics? What else could you ask for?
I could detail out every single song, but all in all there's no need to do that. Watashi Wa's The Love Of Life IS the feel-good record of this year, and perhaps of your lifetime, and you need to get this today, so do it. These guys have been rocking out since they were 13, and you can tell they have gotten to a point where there really is no boundaries for their incredible talent. This is the one record I would take to that deserted island where only one record is allowed, and it should be yours too, because on that island I might be lonely and sad, but Watashi Wa's record has literally brought me up from the darkest of moods. Personally uplifting to me, yes, and easily your next favorite record for the summer.