Green Day's latest album [link], their first in a trilogy, has them finally moving away from the big, epic thematic elements of rock opera that made 21st Century Breakdown and American Idiot (still their best record) so damn good, and somewhat going back to their early days of Dookie and Insomniac. It's kinda refreshing, though after a while it just bores me down with its repetitiveness. The music is more pop punk (I hate this term) and power pop, kinda like Good Charlotte (I hate this band). Sure the production is all souped-up and slick...too slick for its own good in fact, and what's missing in most of the songs are the edge, the attitude and the angst that was heard in their early stuff. And the numerous f-bombs throughout doesn't really help either. The second installment, ¡Dos!, coming out in November, will be more garage rock, so at least that's something to look forward to. And the third, ¡Tré!, will be geared towards stadium rock with lusher arrangements. While on the subject of rock trios, Dinosaur Jr.'s new I Bet On Sky is simply GREAT. Great songwriting, great melodies, what's not to like? [link]P.S. CLICK HERE for a list of more upcoming releases...
