By J. R. Taylor

YOUR CHILDREN HAVE COME
FOR THEM The Chronicles of Life and Death is a better album than the latest from R.E.M., Tom Waits and Robyn Hitchcock. The only reason that statement even seems contentious is that Good Charlotte has become every hack critic's shorthand for "MTV punk." I know I'm getting close to Good Charlotte's free show when I overhear that phrase three times. Actually, I think one of those times was intended as a compliment.

Maybe it's appreciation for the sheer excitement being felt outside the downtown Tower Records. The cops have sealed off West 4th St. between Lafayette and Broadway, and the area has become a holding pen for young people who still care about rock 'n' roll. Good Charlotte is a perfect teen act for today, combining gothy lyrics with catchy tunes. It allows the band to say the most damning things in a very positive setting.

Not everyone notices, of course. I risk losing my fine vantage point so I can wander into Other Music, to see how those avant-loving retailers are handling the neighborhood invasion. They seem kind of dour. The speakers are playing tinker-toy music that's likely meant to be intellectual disco. Maybe it's their idea of a bold statement, but the clanking sure can't cover the sound of anticipatory screaming.

I'm back outside to enjoy the rapture as Good Charlotte comes out for their acoustic performance. I'm fortunate enough to end up next to a particularly enthusiastic 13-year-old girl. If you didn't know the names of each member of the band, you would by the end of this appearance. She's also got a nice MTV-punk clothing sense. Her new denim jacket is randomly covered with safety pins taken from her mother's sewing kit. It's adorable.

The girl is just one of many screaming alongside the sidewalk. Sadly, this leads to plenty of East Village attitude on display. One guy heading into Other Music makes a big deal out of how offended he is by the loud shrieks. Some dolt who looks like Keanu Reeves with missing chromosomes is bothered by how the crowd knows the words to the songs. "They're all brainwashed," he complains.

And, naturally, an obese young man utters a bitter "Fuck you" as he strolls past the girls.

To be fair to Other Music, this one employee was pretty polite when he stepped out to ask the kids not to rattle the store's window. He was actually being calmer than me. I thought those teens had decided to turn revolutionary and trash Other Music like it was the anti-Starbucks. No such luck. Anyway, I guess Other Music can afford to be civil. They probably look at that crowd and see kids who'll be buying a Melvins reissue in about five years. o