By Well, Green Day are back with a ‘Bang Bang’, (pardon the pun) and a hell of a lot more Punk genius with their 12th studio album, “Revolution Radio”, released 2 days ago.
It would have been rude to mark this review without mentioning the lead single – which, funnily enough, is called ‘Bang Bang’. And, the obviously not-so-obvious pun to back it up, was too inviting to not include.
Similarities can be spotted from the off between both the lead single and the title track, with the typical Green Day-esque, fast-paced lead guitar and similarly heavy drums being rattled out by Tré Cool. Satisfyingly familiar to the ears.
Scrutinising the songs more closely, I have come to the conclusion that maybe Revolutionary Radio isn’t as revolutionary by nature as it is by name. This was before I heard ‘Ordinary World’, another single on the album.
Contrary to what the ordinary world, (sorry to do it again), are used to when listening to Green Day, “Ordinary World” is performed solo by Billy Joel and his acoustic guitar, with his vocals massively toned down and touching a lot more on indie/alternate rock, as opposed to the standard powerfully-delivered punk often associated to the American rock band.
“Youngblood” brings back that 90’s American punk rock feel that is so typical of the likes of Green Day, Sum 41, Blink 182, and the list goes on. Basically, the soundtrack for the original American Pies. The lyrical content did it for me, with the first verse beginning with ‘She’s a loner, not a stoner’. It’s typical Teenage Dirtbag, minus the Wheatus.
Green Day’s new album may feature 12 songs, but listening to the almost-seven-minute-long “Forever Now” track, it’s easy to believe that this one takes that number to 14, if not 15. Talk about multiple songs in one, Green Day have really taken the Bohemian Rhapsody route with this song as, 2:40 into it, the whole rhythm of the drums, guitars and Billy Joel’s vocals, do a U-turn on the fast-paced punk, to a more melodic and instrumental track. Listen out for the Boston-like acoustic feature as well!
This album is a serious statement from Billy Joel and Green Day, generating unbelievable hype for their world tour.
