Green Day

Editor's Review:

History has proven time and time again that punk bands do not age well. The Clash (and members of), The Ramones, Bad Religion; all sullied their early images with needlessly prolonged careers. Green Day, on the other hand, has seemed to transcend both this trend and the general stigma attached to punk rock. Shenanigans, a B-sides and covers collection, although not as engaging and comprehensive as last year's International Superhits! singles collection, is nevertheless representative of Green Day's unique ability to sound like themselves despite years gone by. Although there are the obligatory stinkers - "Espionage," from the soundtrack to Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, is too camp and too boring, "Tired Of Waiting For You," was bad enough when The Kinks did it - Shenanigans also has its gems. "Scumbag," and "Desensitized," are straight out of the Dookie / Insomniac glory days, before Green Day began to tinker with their straight ahead pop-punk sound. Even in the decidedly down-tempo "On The Wagon," the same snide, faux-British swagger comes through. This seems to be the secret behind Green Day's success. From Kerplunk to Warning to Shenanigans, Green Day has always, above all else, been unapologetically themselves. Even when they're somebody else (covering the Ramones' "Outsider"), Green Day's undeniable radio-friendliness shines through. Though Green Day looks, smells, tastes and sounds like a punk band, they will doubtlessly go down in history as one of this era's better pop bands.
- Daniel Taylor

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Record Label Reprise Released August 2002

Tracks Suffocate Desensitized You Lied Outsider Don't Wanna Fall In Love Espionage I Want To Be On T.V. Scumbag Tired Of Waiting For You Sick Of Me Rotting Do Da Da On the Wagon Ha Ha You're Dead

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