Review Summary: 30 Minutes of great pop-rock with a definite 60's influence.
Green Day. Mention this name and chances are the person will have heard of them. It could be a metal head who hates the bands guts, it could be a 14 year old girl who loves their hit singles from the radio or it could be an old school punk who hated the band following the album 'Dookie', the point is though, these guys are huge. So it is no surprise that the guys release an album under a completely different name so they can make any type of music they wish and not be under the 'label' Green Day. (The band also released a new-wave album before the American Idiot album), but what is this album like? Forget who the members are; is this record worth listening to? The answer is yes, and it’s a hell of a lot of fun.
The sound can be described as a modern pop rock album but with a definite 60's vibe throughout it. The lyrics are mostly fun and deal with topics popular throughout 60's music, party, having fun, rock n roll etc. The music itself is reminiscent of bands such as the Who and The Kinks as shown through most chord progressions. (It should be said that the song 'Alligator' rips the chords from 'you really got me' by the Kinks, as the band doesn't even make an effort to change the song around).
The album begins with the title track, which is one of the strongest songs on the album (and up there with green day material too!). It begins with simple guitar, and then the drums come in with the rest of the band. The song is insanely catchy as the verses work well with the singing/guitar response, and the chorus is catchy with perfect use of backing vocals. I also like the growls and Woo’s which give the fun factor of the song a real kick.
'Mother Mary' and 'Ruby Room' both keep the theme going, both with chugging guitar work and hooks that are better than half the stuff on the radio these days. 'Red Tide' (guess what that one is about) and 'Dark Side of Night' are two songs that whilst they aren't the best on here, stand out because they are mellow and sound different to anything Green Day have done. The later is a simple acoustic guitar song with some drums in the background and different instruments providing melodies and noises while the vocals calmly sing. The song has a distinct Beatles, hippie, stoner feel to it that sounds like nothing around these days. This song shows off the 60's influence perfectly.
'Broadway' has the sing-along we all love, and a breakdown that gradually builds up and gets louder which is a nice change in pace in the album, however overall it is one of the weaker songs. 'The Pedestrian' and 'Alligator' are the two songs that will get on people's nerves, I really like them but it is obvious some will hate the all too poppy and boppy 'Pedestrian' and the repetitiveness of 'Alligator' (They say the word alligator around 25 times in a 2:26 min song). 'Pieces of Truth' brings the album to an end, and whilst it isn't a highlight, it sounds like an ending song. It’s a song that wouldn't be out of place at the end credits of a movie with its funky guitar riff opening and 'la la' backing vocals.
The reason this album does not get a 5 is simply because it can get old rather quick. It's an album you could enjoy for around 2 weeks maybe more, but it won't be on top of classic album lists, or remembered 20 years from now. The truth is that this album should be taken for what it is, a successful band having fun and putting out a short and sweet treat for anyone who is willing to listen. Guitar work is above average for Green Day, it does have some solos, and who know, if your a hater of the band, you may just find yourself surprised by this effort and be bopping along to the hooks in no time.
Pros
+ Catchy songs
+Guitar work is better than normal by Green Day Standards.
+No bad songs, no filler.
+All instruments feel in place.
+Old school Green Day fans will love it.
Cons
-May irritate some music fans.
-at 30 minutes, it is a bit short.
-Some songs could be longer.
