Generation Rx Explained

Generation Rx
Type:studio
Artist:Good Charlotte
Cover:GC Generation Rx.jpg
Recorded:January – March 2018
Genre:
Length:31:26
Prev Title:Youth Authority
Prev Year:2016

Generation Rx is the seventh studio album by American rock band Good Charlotte. The album was released on September 14, 2018, through MDDN and BMG.

Background

Good Charlotte self-released their sixth album Youth Authority in July 2016,[1] their first since they went on a hiatus in 2011. Vocalist Joel Madden felt that they had no momentum following their hiatus, and viewed Youth Authority as helping to rebuild it. Guitarist Benji Madden added that it served as a good restarting point for the band. They made the album as the members felt they had something to say after the years on hiatus. However, Joel Madden said it didn't completely embody what was going on in their headspace at the time. He went as far to add that two of the songs on it were there solely because they felt they had to include them.

At the start of 2018, the band were reflecting, having played at the memorial service for rapper Lil Peep[2] earlier in December 2017. They covered Peep's "Awful Things"[3] and later released it as a single.[4] Benji Madden said, since the group would often follow their feelings and not focus on anything else, they became inspired to write a new record. The members discussed what they liked and disliked making Youth Authority, before taking into account what they felt their fans would want from them. After realizing their fans would want them to be honest, they decided to write material that was more organic and naturally felt good to them.[5]

Production

Benji Madden and Zakk Cervini produced the album, which was recorded at the headquarters of the brothers' company MDDN[6] in Los Angeles, California between January and March 2018. Drums were recorded at NRG Studios. Cervini and Courtney Ballard served as engineers with assistance from Jon Lundin. Colin Schwanke did additional editing on "Self Help", "Leech" and "California (The Way I Say I Love You)". Chris Lord-Alge mixed the recordings, with assistance from Nik Karpin, at MIX LA in Tarzana, California. Ted Jensen mastered the album at Sterling Sound.

Madden's office at MDDN was down the hall; on a nightly basis after work, the Madden brothers and Cervini would work on the album for two–three hours at a time.[7] He said the recording process felt similar to their first three albums, in that they made music solely on feeling. "Leech" features guest vocals from Sam Carter of Architects. Their manager Joey Simmrin worked at MDDN and hung out with the Madden brothers one night. The brothers were in the process of finishing up "Leech", but were unable to come up with a bridge section. Simmrin sent the track to Carter, who subsequently tracked vocals for it in Brighton, UK.[7]

Composition

The Madden brothers went into it solely to make something that sounded fun and exciting to them musically just to see what the outcome was. This process was followed for the lyrics and melodies.[7] All of the lyrics were written by the brothers, and most of the songs were written by the brothers and Cervini. "Better Demons" was written between the brothers and Dan Lancaster, while "California (The Way I Say I Love You)" was written by the brothers, Cervini and Matthew Pauling. Lucy Landry contributed additional vocals to "Generation Rx" and "Better Demons". MUSYCA Children's Choir appear on "Leech" and "Better Demons". Pauling came up with the string arrangement for "Cold Song" and "California (The Way I Say I Love You)". Cervini and David Kaye provided additional vocals on "Better Demons".

Musically, the album's sound has been classed as pop punk and alternative rock.[8] Rock Sound said it was a cross between the group's The Chronicles of Life and Death (2004) and Good Morning Revival (2007) albums.[9] The opioid epidemic inspired the album's title Generation Rx:[10] Rx is often used as an abbreviation for medical prescriptions in the US. The album initially had the working title Cold Song, but was changed after the band realised pain was a running theme throughout the album.[11] Generation Rx talks about several issues: the opioid epidemic, struggles with mental health[12] difficulty with self-esteem, and the effect of organized religion on other peoples' lives.[13] According to Joel Madden, the album was "all about that inner struggle, and ... the emotional experience we're all going through that gets us to a place where we want to kill the pain that's in all of us."

"Actual Pain" came about shortly after the band performed at the memorial service for Peep, who was a big fan of the group. Benji Madden said the track featured elements of all of their previous albums.[14] "Prayers" is a commentary on the culture surrounding the phrase "thoughts and prayers".[15] The first verse was written about the relationship between Benji Madden and his wife, while the second verse was written after he had seen a Syrian refugee crying in front of rubble.[16] Benji Madden wrote "Leech" about his childhood and his relationship with his parents, as well as trauma that he went through.[7] Joel Madden said "California (The Way I Say I Love You)" was a "love letter" to his children, and was an attempt to give the album a "hopeful" ending.[12]

Release

In May 2018, the band posted several teasers through their Instagram account that featured skeleton figures.[17] On May 22, the band signed a worldwide contract with major label BMG. The group explained that BMG had frequently "demonstrated the type of forward thinking, artist friendly, entrepreneurial spirit that we really relate to".[18] On May 25, Generation Rx was announced for released in September, and its artwork was revealed.[19] Discussing the artwork, Benji Madden said: "You can hide behind your clothes, and you can hide behind covering yourself in tattoos, or putting on masks, or whatever, but at the end of the day, your real life is in there."[5] On the same day, "Actual Pain" was released as a single.[20] Five days later, a music video was released for the track, directed by Jake Stark.[21] The video begins with a man reminiscing about his youth reading comics and playing in his backyard. The group are then seen performing the track with Joel Madden's face changing into a skull mask over time.[22]

A music video was released for "Shadowboxer" on July 13,[23] directed by Stark.[24] It features the band performing in an abandoned mansion.[25] The band explained the clip was a "solitary look at what appear to be everyday people confronting the pain and struggle that is reflected back at them as they look at themselves the mirror."[26] On August 31, "Prayers" was made available for streaming.[27] A music video was released for the song on September 5,[28] directed by Stark.[29] The video details the family of one of the band's real life friends. The friend and his family are shown working and contributing to their community despite being frequently threatened with deportation from ICE.[28] Generation Rx was released on September 14 through MDDN and BMG.[30] Following this, the group went on a headlining US tour in October and November with support from Sleeping with Sirens, Knuckle Puck and the Dose.[31]

A music video was released for "Self Help" on October 25,[32] directed by Stark.[33] It stars a boxer who aims to improve both himself and his mind.[34] In January and February 2019, the band embarked on a European tour[35] with support from Sleeping with Sirens, Boston Manor and the Dose.[36] Between May and July, the group will perform a series of headlining shows and festival appearances in the US, followed by a few festival dates in Europe in August.[37]

Reception

Generation Rx charted at number 164 on the Billboard 200. Outside of the US, it reached number 24 in Australia, number 29 in Austria, number 31 in the UK, number 32 in Switzerland, number 42 in Germany, number 61 in the Czech Republic, number 80 in Canada, number 82 in the Flanders region of Belgium, and number 127 in the Wallonia region of Belgium.

Track listing

All lyrics written by Benji and Joel Madden. All songs written by Benji and Joel Madden, and Zakk Cervini, except where noted.

  1. "Generation Rx" – 2:07
  2. "Self Help" – 3:23
  3. "Shadowboxer" – 3:05
  4. "Actual Pain" – 3:43
  5. "Prayers" – 3:50
  6. "Cold Song" – 3:42
  7. "Leech" (featuring Sam Carter) – 3:20
  8. "Better Demons" (J. Madden, B. Madden, Dan Lancaster) – 3:58
  9. "California (The Way I Say I Love You)" (J. Madden, B. Madden, Cervini, Matthew Pauling) – 4:18

Personnel

Personnel per booklet.[38] Good Charlotte

Additional musicians

Production

References

Citations

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Good Charlotte premiere new single. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426080159/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/good_charlotte_premiere_new_track. Alternative Press. Ralph, Caitlyn. April 4, 2016. April 26, 2016. June 17, 2018. dead.
  2. Web site: Good Charlotte share music video for "Actual Pain". Alternative Press. Heinz, Natasha. May 31, 2018. September 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180909144840/https://www.altpress.com/news/good-charlotte-ctual-pain-music-video/. September 9, 2018. live.
  3. Web site: Joel Madden explains how Good Charlotte's Lil Peep cover came together. Alternative Press. Dickman, Maggie. December 21, 2017. September 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180925220120/https://www.altpress.com/news/joel_madden_on_good_charlotte_lil_peep_awful_things_cover/. September 25, 2018. live.
  4. Web site: Awful Things - Single by Good Charlotte. December 22, 2017 . iTunes. September 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180923052300/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/awful-things-single/1326611046. September 23, 2018. live.
  5. Joel & Benji Madden on How 'Generation Rx' Helped Rejuvenate Their Band: 'We Feel Like Good Charlotte Belong to Us Again'. Billboard. Weatherby, Taylor. April 2, 2019. April 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190409024743/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8475045/good-charlotte-generation-rx-joel-benji-madden-interview. April 9, 2019. live.
  6. Web site: GOOD CHARLOTTE To Release 'Generation Rx' Album In September; 'Actual Pain' Video Available. https://archive.today/20180912220410/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/good-charlotte-to-release-generation-rx-album-in-september-actual-pain-video-available/. Blabbermouth.net. May 30, 2018. September 12, 2018. September 12, 2018.
  7. Web site: Good Charlotte: "There's been a lot of death and loss over the last couple of years". Upset. MacMillan, Jamie. September 17, 2018. October 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181002020118/https://www.upsetmagazine.com/features/good-charlotte-interview-sept18. October 2, 2018. live.
  8. Web site: Good Charlotte – Generation Rx (Review). GigSoupMusic. December 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181217203837/https://www.gigsoupmusic.com/reviews/album-reviews/good-charlotte-generation-rx/. December 17, 2018. live.
  9. Web site: The Evolution Of Good Charlotte. Rock Sound. Rogers, Jack. March 27, 2019. April 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190404101648/https://www.rocksound.tv/features/read/the-evolution-of-good-charlotte. April 4, 2019. live.
  10. Hear Good Charlotte Preview New LP 'Generation Rx' With Dark Song 'Actual Pain' . Rolling Stone . Spanos, Brittany . Brittany Spanos . May 25, 2018 . September 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180708191524/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-good-charlotte-preview-new-lp-generation-rx-with-dark-song-actual-pain-627908/ . July 8, 2018 . live.
  11. Biddulph 2018, p. 63–4
  12. Web site: Good Charlotte: 'We want to ask questions'. BBC News. Watterson, Kaleigh. September 11, 2018. September 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180912062723/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-45414466. September 12, 2018. live.
  13. Biddulph 2018, p. 64
  14. Web site: Good Charlotte: "We love every song on the record. There's no filler". https://archive.today/20180912220346/https://www.upsetmagazine.com/features/good-charlotte-we-love-every-song-on-the-record-theres-no-filler. Upset. June 12, 2018. September 12, 2018. September 12, 2018.
  15. Web site: Listen To A Brand New Good Charlotte Song Right Now. https://archive.today/20180912220554/https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/listen-to-a-brand-new-good-charlotte-song-right-now. Rock Sound. Jamieson, Brii. August 31, 2018. September 12, 2018. September 12, 2018.
  16. Web site: Good Charlotte: 'Living in America gives you a front row seat to tragedy on a daily basis'. The Independent. September 24, 2018. April 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402215201/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/good-charlotte-interview-generation-rx-album-tour-dates-joel-benji-madden-a8551616.html. April 2, 2019. live.
  17. Web site: What are Good Charlotte teasing on Instagram? - UPDATED. https://archive.today/20180912220607/https://www.altpress.com/news/good_charlotte_are_teasing_something_on_instagram/. Alternative Press. Rork, Nicole. May 16, 2018. September 12, 2018. September 12, 2018.
  18. Good Charlotte Signs to BMG For Worldwide Album Release: Exclusive. Billboard. Newman, Melinda. May 22, 2018. September 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180522223544/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8457304/good-charlotte-signs-to-bmg-for-worldwide-album-release-exclusive. May 22, 2018. live.
  19. Web site: Good Charlotte return with new album, single and 2019 tour details. Louder. Munro, Scott. May 25, 2018. September 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180708191836/https://www.loudersound.com/news/good-charlotte-return-with-new-album-single-and-2019-tour-details. July 8, 2018. live.
  20. Web site: Actual Pain - Single by Good Charlotte. May 25, 2018 . iTunes. September 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180926014504/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/actual-pain-single/1384922354. September 26, 2018. live.
  21. Web site: NEWS: Good Charlotte debut new single, 'Actual Pain'!. https://archive.today/20180912220756/http://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-good-charlotte-debut-new-single-actual-pain/. Dead Press!. Tuck, Dylan. June 1, 2018. September 12, 2018. September 12, 2018.
  22. Good Charlotte Explore Mother-Son Bond in New Video for 'Actual Pain'. Rolling Stone. Reed, Ryan. May 30, 2018. September 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180913040309/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/good-charlotte-explore-mother-son-bond-in-new-video-for-actual-pain-629050/. September 13, 2018. live.
  23. Web site: Good Charlotte drop new single, announce benefit concert. Alternative Press. Casteel, Beth. July 13, 2018. September 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180816183905/https://www.altpress.com/news/good-charlotte-shadowboxer-benefit-show-maryland/. 2018-08-16. live.
  24. Good Charlotte - Shadowboxer [Official Video]]. YouTube. Good Charlotte. July 12, 2018. September 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180906065222/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJZ9cHzzxOA. 2018-09-06. live.
  25. Web site: NEWS: Good Charlotte occupy gothic mansion in 'Shadowboxer' video!. https://archive.today/20180912220756/http://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-good-charlotte-occupy-gothic-mansion-in-shadowboxer-video/. Dead Press!. Cook, Lottie. July 16, 2018. September 12, 2018. September 12, 2018.
  26. Good Charlotte Releases Poignant New Single 'Shadowboxer': Watch. Billboard. Mele, Sofia. July 13, 2018. September 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180913051709/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8465344/good-charlotte-shadowboxer-video. September 13, 2018. live.
  27. Web site: NEWS: Good Charlotte unveil new single, 'Prayers'!. https://archive.today/20180912220801/http://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-good-charlotte-unveil-new-single-prayers/. Dead Press!. Redrup, Zach. August 31, 2018. September 12, 2018. September 12, 2018.
  28. Good Charlotte Tackle Immigrants' Struggle in 'Prayers' Video. Rolling Stone. Kreps, Daniel. September 5, 2018. September 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180913040210/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/good-charlotte-tackle-immigrants-struggle-in-prayers-video-719280/. September 13, 2018. live.
  29. Good Charlotte - Prayers (Official Video). YouTube. Good Charlotte. September 5, 2018. September 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180907081403/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc0NPd1SBS8. 2018-09-07. live.
  30. Good Charlotte Announce New Album Generation Rx, Debut New Song 'Actual Pain'. Billboard. Enos, Morgan. May 25, 2018. September 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180525195211/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8457934/good-charlotte-announce-new-album-song-actual-pain. May 25, 2018. live.
  31. Web site: Good Charlotte announce another supporting act for upcoming tour. https://archive.today/20180912220632/https://www.altpress.com/news/good-charlotte-gen-rx-tour-the-dose/. Alternative Press. Trapp, Philip. September 6, 2018. September 12, 2018. September 12, 2018.
  32. Web site: Check Out Good Charlotte's Powerful New Video For 'Self Help'. Rock Sound. Jamieson, Brii. October 25, 2018. April 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190404085429/https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/check-out-good-charlottes-powerful-new-video-for-self-help. April 4, 2019. live.
  33. Good Charlotte - Self Help (Official Video). YouTube. Good Charlotte. October 25, 2018. April 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190412115331/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV8vFrY3rtg. April 12, 2019. live.
  34. Web site: NEWS: Good Charlotte release video for new single, 'Self Help'. Dead Press!. Eynon, Jacob. October 27, 2018. April 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190404090933/http://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-good-charlotte-release-video-for-new-single-self-help/. April 4, 2019. live.
  35. Web site: Good Charlotte Have Announced Who Is Supporting Them In The UK And Europe. Rock Sound. Jamieson, Brii. September 24, 2018. September 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145634/https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/good-charlotte-have-announced-who-is-supporting-them-in-the-uk-and-europe. September 24, 2018. live.
  36. Web site: Another Band Has Been Added To Good Charlotte's Upcoming Tour Of The UK And Europe. Rock Sound. Jamieson, Brii. January 11, 2019. April 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190404085428/https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/another-band-have-been-added-to-good-charlottes-upcoming-tour-of-the-uk-and. April 4, 2019. live.
  37. Web site: Good Charlotte Announce New U.S. and European Tour. Kerrang!. April 2, 2019. April 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402174042/https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/good-charlotte-announce-new-u-s-and-european-live-dates. April 2, 2019. live.
  38. Generation Rx. Good Charlotte. 2018. booklet. MDDN/BMG. 538430752.
  39. Web site: ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums. Australian Recording Industry Association. September 24, 2018. September 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20161022111652/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/charts/albums-chart. October 22, 2016. live.

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