Niki N. Phaser

                  Good Charlotte fans must be a little bit disappointed these days. The band announced on their official site that the album they’ve been working on, Cardiology, is going to the dumpster. Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean that they will write a new one, just that they’ll re-record their new songs. Faced with the product of the initial recordings, it dawned on Benji Madden that “it just wasn’t right” and the whole process has to be repeated. He continues with some not so subtle finger-pointing at Howard Benson: “While we were working with one of the most successful, biggest producers in the Business, all he seemed to focus on was “Commercial Success” of the record and all everyone seemed to talk about was the RADIO”.

                  The decision was made to re-record the album with old friend of the band, Don Gilmore (Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory and Meteora). So, now the outfit is at it again, up in Vancouver, Canada. Good Charlotte’s previous album was 2007’s Good Morning Revival, which spawned hits like Keep Your Hands off My Girl, Dance Floor Anthem or:

THE RIVER

Apoptygma Berzerk, a Norwegian futurepop band, has tackled mainstream success, especially with their 2005 album You and Me Against the World, but never quite make it in becoming a household name, other than in their own field. Their last album continues a more accessible sound, that distances them from the euro-futurepop scene which they practically help build in the 90’s. Released in January 2009, Rocket Science is probably one of the best albums to come out this year and also one of the most underestimated. It’s filled with powerful tracks, like Black vs. White, The State of Your Heart – Shit End of the Deal, Trash or Shadow. But, to respect the band’s choice, I’ll recommend for starters their first single off of Rocket Science, Apollo (Live On Your TV). If released by any mainstream band, this song would have most likely became one the biggest hits this year. The catchy keyboards and the energetic guitars would make anyone instantly start jogging. And smile while doing it. And when say ‘anyone’, I mean anyone, but old Apop fans, who are mostly disappointed with Stephan Groth’s new pop direction. Also, Good Charlotte fans should know that Benji Madden makes a vocal cameo on Apollo (Live On Your TV).

And P.S. Despite rumours, Stephan Groth is not Brian Molko’s older brother…

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR Apollo (Live On Your TV)