Music Review: Greetings From California

Album: Greetings From California
Music: The Madden Brothers
Rating: 3
Benji and Joel Madden are also known to be the founding members of the band Good Charlotte, who were started out in 1995 and had a bunch of hit songs. Cut to the present and for Greetings… the brothers have served up an array of tunes and sounds that are as eclectic and diverse as California itself.Dear Jane is a bright, upbeat tune about loving a girl like a moth being attracted to a flame — you know she’s not good for you and yet you can’t help yourself.
It’s also got a good hook that adds to its repeat value. We Are Done has them playing around with vocal harmonies in much the same way The Mamas And The Papas would. Catchy melody and yes, a good hook too. While the first set of songs is pop-friendly, the band (no doubt unintentionally) seems to be running short of inspiration for the latter half. Maybe it’s the track placement or maybe it’s just the whole sound of these songs, but California Rain and Brothers could easily have been swapped for something else. And the music too is uninspiring on those numbers. However, the quasi-ballad Good Gracious Abby is definitely interesting with its ebbs and flows. Suddenly and Empty Spirits have them bringing out the acoustic guitars for a fitting finale. Quite a few pleasant sonic surprises in here.