The Young and the Hopeless

As one of six children, I've experienced a wide variety of music through the years, swapping CDs with my brothers and sisters. This week, I found an old CD of my brother's and began listening to it with a new set of ears. The Young and the Hopeless by Good Charlotte, a 2002 album, was something I would listen to occasionally back in the eighth grade; in retrospect, it is an excellent presentation of music and lyrics.

The Madden twins, Joel and Benji, are the most recognizable of the band. Truthfully, I know little about the other members of Good Charlotte. What I like about the Madden brothers and the lyrics of their music is the message to never give up, to have hope, even when times are hard. The album features tracks that allude to the twins' father leaving their family, such as "The Story of My Old Man" and "Emotionless." The lyrics to "Emotionless" are very sad but touched with a feeling of peace and forgiveness:

It's been a long hard road without you by my side /Why weren't you there the nights that we cried /You broke my mother's heart /You broke your children for life /It's not ok but we're alright /I remember the days you were a hero in my eyes /But those are just a long lost memory of mine /Now I'm writing just to let you know /I'm still alive

My favorite track is probably "Hold On," whose message is exactly what the title implies: hope.

I definitely recommend The Young and the Hopeless. It's a good mix of the difficult feelings typical to teens; I vividly remember those times of anxiety and rebellion and wanting to break out of my shell; Good Charlotte provided a positive, encouraging and charmingly punk soundtrack to it.

Canadian Ladies

Earlier this semester I was fortunate to see one of my favorite groups perform in concert. Heather Masse, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody make up Canadian folk trio, The Wailin' Jennys. I've been a fan of folk music since my days in junior high. The Jennys offer their own blend of sounds with meaningful and heartfelt lyrics The multifaceted talent of these women (and their fiddler and mandolinist, Jeremy Penner) is displayed through a wide range of vocals (alto Heather, mezzo Nicky and soprano Ruth) as well as the guitar, harmonica, accordion, among other instruments.

The timelessness of the Jennys' music is evidenced in the words to their angelic music:

"Got a heart that opens clear in this cool September dark /It rests on treetop leaves /And bursts its little sparks /And sometimes it sings its songs /And it lets its secrets out /Except for one that sears inside /That it cannot live without /But if I tell you will you take it /Will you shine it up to me /Can you be strong to let me go on /And set this freedom free"

-"Ten Mile Stilts" from 40 Days

The Wailin' Jennys are true artists with a deep insight into the beauty of life.