The Chronicles Of Life And Death
by Good Charlotte
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Oct 5, 2004
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    A giant leap forward--in instrumental prowess, and in emotional and melodic scope. [8 Oct 2004, p.113]
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  2. E! Online
    75
    Pulling off the tricky balancing act of aiming for mainstream success while keeping one's street cred intact, songs like "Ghost of You" and "Predictable" abandon the band's mall-rat roots in exchange for more mature influences like U2 and Muse.
  3. Billboard
    70
    The band takes its proven peppy rock sound to new heights.
  5. AllMusic
    70
    For all their well-crafted ambition on Chronicles, "I Just Wanna Live" feels like Good Charlotte's centerpiece, since it's spiked with rock power, but gets its soul from the pop life they lead.
  6. Spin
    67
    It's hard to know if Madden's complaints seem so tame because the band's music is less zippy, or whether he's just taking the easiest path to the teen masses. [Nov 2004, p.109]
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  7. Los Angeles Times
    63
    The band never quite escapes its proven pop formula or simple tales of angst. [10 Oct 2004]
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  8. Stylus Magazine
    60
    Their musical gifts haven’t left them... and their overwrought yet empathetic lyrics signify that their bandwagon jumping is misguided rather than crass.
  9. Blender
    60
    Welcome to tonight's Very Special Episode of pop-punk. [Nov 2004, p.130]
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  10. Alternative Press
    60
    Good Charlotte have obviously put a lot of effort and imagination into Chronicles, and if it comes off as slightly awkward in parts, well, isn't that part of growing up? [Nov 2004, p.135]
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  11. Village Voice
    60
    Good Charlotte have hooks for days and the fun, gloomy Life and Death sounds like a moody missing link between Fountains of Wayne and Thrice.
  12. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    58
    Beyond some rich-and-famous irony, not a single suburban detail soils an hour of good intentions. And you know the music overreaches too.
  13. The Guardian
    40
    Good Charlotte's confessionals are typical teenage moans, and their music second-hand Green Day.
  14. Rolling Stone
    40
    They falter by attempting to stray from the formula they've mastered. [28 Oct 2004, p.100]
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  15. Q Magazine
    40
    It's nothing if not ambitious... [but] they simply don't have the depth, or the authority, to pull it off. [Dec 2004, p.143]
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  16. The New York Times
    30
    The disc is full of ham-fisted experiments. [11 Oct 2004]
  17. New Musical Express (NME)
    0
    Half the time, Good Charlotte sound like Blink-182 after the snip, the other half they sound like the Backstreet Boys without the songs. [16 Oct 2004, p.48]
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Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Most Discussed Album of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 117 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 82 out of 117
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 117
  3. Negative: 28 out of 117
  1. WhatsAmovie
    May 6, 2011
    9
    I grew up with GC. I love them. This cd is my childhood. It's there best cd and they will never come abck to this stuff again. They justI grew up with GC. I love them. This cd is my childhood. It's there best cd and they will never come abck to this stuff again. They just won't. This cd is deep and sad. it's a beautiful album and i will not stop loving it. No matter what GC is today.… Full Review »
  2. Andrea
    Aug 4, 2009
    5
    The record has bad songs, I could save only three-four tracks. Not the best by this band, only a commercial product.
  3. Paul
    Nov 24, 2007
    1
    I bought this album as an impressionable 13-year old when it first came out. I didn't enjoy it much at the time, and upon returning, I bought this album as an impressionable 13-year old when it first came out. I didn't enjoy it much at the time, and upon returning, realise what a humourless, soulless turd it is. The pre-packaged predictability, the psuedo-goth lyrics (apparently free of irony in songs such as 'The World is Black') and the microwaved, rehashed power chords all reek of product. The transparent punk facade only adds further insult to the listener's intelligence. Album number five might as well be titled: 'My Daddy Left Me But At Least I Have A Platinum Record'.… Full Review »
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