Green Day
Bullet in a Bible

THE REVIEW

Reviewing an album like this is less straightforward than it might seem because I inevitably have to "clash" with those who unconditionally love this band, not to mention those who have no intention of listening to them. I wish I could do this to add something to the discussion of "music passing through my stereo." It's the least I can do, after being accused of "devotion to death metal" (sic): and now, take this.

This album is like all the others, without frills, without significant novelties, lacking the cruelty of (real) punk, even with the audacity to play live a song divided into 5 interminable parts (Jesus of Suburbia). A deadly bore, for those who don't know the original, at least. The atmosphere is that of surfin' rock'n'roll, but at certain moments ("I Don't Care", "Wake Me Up...") it feels like listening to a lethal pop/80 concert: the "slow parts," please, not those... then it suddenly speeds up, just for a bit more slam dancing, just because we-are-cool. And that off-key way of singing by Joe, don't worry, hasn't changed. He feels so punk... One must acknowledge the drummer’s ability, superior to the other two members, but this is (should be) punk, so who cares. The impact is missing, the engagement is there: what is missing is the aggression, the incisiveness. Joe's blunders are there too, a true trademark.

Many tracks are interspersed with doubtful taste choruses, acoustic guitars, and melodic interludes just to win over a few more fans. Maybe those who love the new Metallica and consider the old ones just noise. Maybe some others who love the Offspring, but those of "Why Don't You Get a Job." Or those who consider Green Day the (new) Beatles (drunk). The tracks pass by without weighing too much, they can be listened to without too many issues, but at certain points, it borders on genuine ball-breakers.

What I reproach Billy Joe & Co. for is the total lack of nastiness, as would be appropriate for a band of this kind: not to mention that annoying attitude that made them worthy of a mud battle with the audience at a recent Woodstock. They were buried in dirt, and it’s a good image of their musical situation. They will never be great (like, for example, the current Exploited, the most badass 40-year-old punks around: but those guys lived through the '70s; it's another story): to sum up, a real phony punk work they are. If they were more sincere and original, they would deserve (more) attention...