Good Charlotte back in business

We live in a beautiful place; let love take away all this pain."

Inspiring words sung by lead singer Joel Madden in the song "A Beautiful Place."

After a 2 1/2-year absence, the Good Charlotte boys are back in business with their fourth album appropriately titled "Good Morning Revival." With a new sound and a new drummer, the band is taking fans for an exciting ride.

The latest single called "The River" connects directly to the title of the disc. Featuring Avenged Sevenfold's M. Shadows and Synyster Gates, the message is that everyone -- no matter what -- deserves a second chance, a chance to be revived. "Baptized in the river; I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered," is the vocally powerful chorus.

The album heads in a different direction with "Dance Floor Anthem." With a pop-electronic feel and its catchy lyrics -- "Everybody, put up your hands, say 'I don't want to be in love'" -- this song is sure to be a favorite.

Guitarist Billy Martin brings more to the band, displaying his talents on the keyboard in the ballad "Where Would We Be Now," which he co-wrote with Joel and Benji Madden.

However, in an album full of love ballads and dance tunes, "Keep Your Hands Off My Girl" seems a tad out of place. Joel Madden's monotonous attempt at rapping would have been more fitting as a hidden track or perhaps no track. Lyrics referencing Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Bathing Ape and classic cars, solidify the statement made in 2003's "Girls and Boys": "All of these girls and boys are losing their souls in a material world." It's strangely ironic that now the band basically is saying that having these material possessions is acceptable.

Although the band has received a lot of criticism about its new sound and not sticking to its core pop-punk appeal, Benji Madden put it best when he said in the group's video collection DVD, "It's just music."

Ending the album is an uplifting song, similar to 2003's "Hold On," titled "March On." Fans can hope that Good Charlotte will continue to march on and do what they love.

For more information on "Good Morning Revival" or to listen to the songs from the album, visit: www.goodcharlotte.com.