Every Good Charlotte Album Ranked Worst To Best
4. Cardiology
Cardiology left behind much of the angst we'd come to expect from Good Charlotte - but remained every bit as anthemic and melodic.
The final album before their hiatus saw the band enjoy chart success, support P!nk, and get a song in the American Pie series, but it was a million miles away from Good Charlotte's early material. Speaking to Kerrang, Joe Madden explained:
“The entire business had changed and we were left out there on our own.”
The band controversially ditched their producer midway through with the Madden brothers at odds. Benji said Joel wanted to be more "dance" while he wanted to be "a little more rock" - and it's clear to hear.
Cardiology is packed with punchy lyrics, big hooks and vocal harmonies, with a Beach Boys-esque intro before Let The Music Play that emanates positivity.
Last Night is a "sequel" to Dance Floor Anthem, Standing Ovation is Oasis-esque, Sex On The Radio is straight up pop rock, piano-led Harlow's Song is a tribute to Joel's daughter, 1979 is positive nostalgia before There She Goes hits like a sucker punch - the realisation that time is a catalyst for change.
Cardiology is definitely Good Charlotte's most polarising LP, with a Rock Sound rating of 8/10 while NME gave it a meagre 1/10. It's easily the only album which could have gone in any slot on this list, and still received complaints in both directions.