The Young and the Hopeless (CD - 2002)

Good Charlotte: Paul, Benji ?, Billy, Joel .

For its second outing THE YOUNG AND THE HOPELESS, Good Charlotte gives any notion of a sophomore jinx a combative boot to the side of the head thanks to an abundance of chanting choruses and choppy guitar riffs. Like standard-bearers Blink-182, this Maryland quartet frolics in a land of teen angst peppered with snarky optimism that comes across best within the margins of the rebellious "Anthem," rambunctious "Riot Girl" (no doubt a cousin of the Dead Milkmen's "Punk Rock Girl"), and Green Day-flavored title cut. Balancing out rambunctious fare like the Iggy Pop-inspired "Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous" and the chuggin "Movin' On" is such tasty fare as the soul-baring "Emotionless" and Social Distortion-like "The Day I Die." With THE YOUNG AND THE HOPELESS, Good Charlotte takes the next step towards pop-punk world domination. minimize