Green Day is an iconic band that came straight from the east bay punk scene in Berkeley California. They played small shows under an independent label, Lookout Records, in the 1980s, but after their second album they signed onto a major record label, Reprise Records, and released their breakthrough album “Dookie” in 1994.
Green Day gained resentment from their community for "selling out," but the album was such a massive success it was hard for the band to care. “Dookie” put them on the scene as the band who managed to get punk rock into the mainstream. They kept releasing music for a decade, and in 2004, they released a rock opera called “American Idiot,” giving their career a second wind and truly cementing their place in punk rock history.
They continued their career by creating an even bigger and better rock opera, “21st Century Breakdown,” followed by yet another ambitious project, which was a three album trilogy. This trilogy didn't get the best reception though, and neither did their 13th studio album “Father of All….” However, Green Day is back this year with their new album “Saviors,” and not only that, they're also celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Dookie” and the 20th anniversary of “American Idiot.”
“Savior” clearly has a significant amount of drive and passion behind it, bringing back old producer Rob Cavallo, the same man who produced both “Dookie” and “American Idiot.” With 15 new tracks, this album is what I would consider the quintessential Green Day album. Throughout its 46 minute long run, it manages to hit every beat of their entire career, whether it be boisterous political statements such as their opening track “The American Dream is Killing Me,” “Coma City,” and “Living in the 20s,” or punchy punk songs filled with angst and anger like “Look Ma, No Brains” and “One Eyed Bastard.” It even has slower love songs and ballads like “Bobby Sox,” “Suzie Chapstick,” and “Father to a Son.”
The band even dips into styles they've gotten backlash for attempting in the past such as the 70s garage rock style song “Corvette Summer,” which perfectly encapsulates the feeling of driving through town with your top down on your convertible as the sun shines into your sunglass shaded eyes. The emotions of this album are very strong, sometimes even diving into very deep topics regarding lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong's alcohol abuse on the songs “Dilemma” and “Goodnight Adeline.”
The entire album is exceptionally well written with simple yet thought provoking lines in every single song. It shows Armstrong never lost his edge over the years. Celebrating the past while still moving forward is what “Saviors” does best, and that's what Green Day has always been good at. If you are a fan of any of their work I would be hard pressed not to recommend this album to you. It's a fantastic ride from start to finish and despite the clashing vibes of each song they string together really nicely in a fun emotional roller coaster that will have you ready to pop that CD right back in the second the albums over.