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Green Day - Nimrod
(Reprise)
That trio of punks are back with Nimrod, their fifth release, and their taste for art is unchanged.
The album has a whopping 18 tracks, streamlined into three-minute jams. And they still like a late reincarnation of the Sex Pistols with more tunes but less vigour, with more pop music values but less point in general.
Green Day are so insistent on sticking to chugging anthems Nimrod has followed their last two bestsellers, Dookie and Insomnia, on the path to bland uniformity. So even a mediocre 1960s instrumental (Last Ride In) proves a welcome breather amidst the urgency and yells.
Those who believe in Green Day as a rejuvenating force may crown them as champions for rock, but for those who are used to British music, in which even Oasis or Ocean Colour Scene present more variety in one helping, such uniformity soon proves hollow.
Green Day may be a ray of optimism in the darkness of US rock, but nimrod is for those who want immediate gratification; those who want more from their music should look elsewhere.
-Neil Frame
Personally, I think Neil Frame is a crap reviewer ... mainly because
he got Insomniac wrong and also the references to British
music, I don't see any connection between Green Day and Oasis, or Green
Day and Ocean Colour Scene.
Green Day 'Nimrod" (WEA 9362467942)
KKKKK (essential)
NIMROD (NIM'ROD), noun. 1. Bible. a 'mighty hunter', the great grandson
of Noah.
Genesis 10:8, 9.
2. One expert in, or devoted to, hunting.
3. US slang, 'Bugs Bunny'. Imbecile.
4. Kick-ass melodic punk rock album.
THIS GREAT comeback has taken a while, but Green Day clearly need the time-off. What's the point of buying smart houses if you never get to stay home and trash them?
The Berkeley bunch genuinely do sound like they're enjoying this music lark again. Whereas 1995's 'Insomniac' sounded pissed-off and just a little rusehd.
'Nimrod' sounds jubilant, flowing and virtually effortless. There are more killer tunes per square yard here than on any previous Green Day album.
There are more songs, full-stop. Eighteen of the f**kers. Welcome to punk's answer to 'Use Your Illusion' - except this is one album, and none of it is bollocks. You can tell you're on to a winner, right from the start when 'Nice Guys Finish Last' unfurls its luscious multi-track melodies and cruising, bruising drive.
'Hitchin' A Ride' is the single, and a mighty stompin' power ranger at that. 'The Grouch' is a nagging tune about the time of life when you 'can't get it up' no more. 'Redundant', however, goes a few notches higher up the quality scale, raising eyebrows with a magnificent Beatles-y, epic chorus. It's almost touching, for Christ's sake!
The debate over Green Day's 'true' punk credentials is as pointless as it is dull. Just for the record, though, the trio have included a couple of speed-blasters for the die-hards. 'Platypus (I Hate You)' is the first, scorching along at a fine old clip, as singer Billie Joe Armstrong piles on the abuse. 'Take Back' is the second, beating the simplest of chords to a bloody pulp in 79 seconds flat. In direct contract is the mega-pop of 'Uptight'. Up-tempo and as catchy as rabies, it exemplifies all that is great about Green Day when they can muster the energy.
Good songs just keep coming after the mid-way intermission of spaghetti western pastiche 'Last Ride In'. 'Jinx' keeps the tempo up, while never forgetting the concept of 'the song'; as does the excellent 'Haushinka'. 'Walking Alone' is more sober but still bouncy, with the odd burst of harmonica nicely complementing the outcast theme.
'King For A Day' is this album's zany, madcap tune - speedy and shot through with ludicrously corny brass parps. The good news is that it works. 'Nimrod' is a perfectly relentless party album, and 'King For A Day' will be the song when the drunken dancing gets particularly foolish.
'Nimrod' definition no. five: A bunch of imbeciles on an all-time career high.
JASON ARNOPP
Green Day Fact File
FORMED: 1989, Berkeley, California.
PREVIOUS LPS: '1039 Smoothed Out Slappy Hours' (1990), 'Kerplunk' (1992),
'Dookie' (1994), 'Insomniac' (1995).
BIGGEST HIT: 'Basket Case' went to Number 7 in the UK.
CURRENT LINE-UP: Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals/guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass),
Tré Cool (drums).
STUDIO VIBE: By all accounts, positively energised, following a lengthy
hiatus. Recording interspersed with wacky hijinks at LA's Sunset Marquis
hotel.
COVER ARTWORK FOR LP: Two blokes with 'Nimrod' stickers on their heads.
SUBJECT MATTER FOR LP: Hard to tell with Mr Armstrong, but alienation,
growing old and pure hatred would be safe bets here.
NEXT MOVE: Following their recent London show, there are plans for the trio
to return to the UK at the "beginning of next year", said a spokesperson.
Yesterday.
Nice Guys Finish Last: I love the drums when it starts! It's also really easy to sing. It rocks.
Hitchin' A Ride: Well, the first time I heard this, I was like "I hope the rest of the album isn't like this". I've grown to like it though, but the guitar is rather repetitive.
The Grouch: This is my favorite song off the album. The lyrics rock, I love "life's a bitch and so am I." Every time I hear it I feel like getting up and dancing for some reason.
Redundant: I love this song, and I dunno why. I find myself singing "Now I cannot speak, I lsot my voice" it's really melodic, the whole song.
Scattered: Another good song. It sounds like it belongs on Kerplunk! for some reason ... the drums also are cool to me.
All the Time: It's ok, but the intro is boring. The lyrics are pretty cool though, although the music could have been better.
Worry Rock: This is great! I love the lyrics. I think Billie's singing from the heart in this one. The music and lyrics fit together really well.
Platypus: Fast, hard and good. I still need to get the lyrics from greenday.net though.
Uptight: I feel like dancing to this one too. The last verse is my favorite part. It rocks more as it goes on.
Last Ride In: They should have put another song in, as I just fast forward it every time I hear it. It's kinda repetitive and it goes pretty much nowhere.
Jinx: This is a classic Green Day song. It rocks :)
Haushinka: Reminds me of 1,039 Smoothed Out Slappy Hours ... wasn't it written back then? It's great! "Will she ever find her way?" that part is damn awesome.
Walking Alone: I like this one for unknown reasons. The lyrics remind me of myself :) I keep singing "sometimes I still feel I'm walking alone"
Reject: I like this one, mainly because of the lyrics. the phrase "Reject All American" is kinda familiar, I feel like I've heard it before. Anyone know what it might be?
Take Back: It's fast and good ... but who is singing in the chorus? It doesn't sound like Billie Joe at all! (I received confirmation from someone else it was ... hehe)
King for a Day: I laugh whenever I hear this. it's funny. The horns are pretty cool too. It's got this light-hearted feeling throughout the whole song.
Good Riddance: I've heard this on the Brain Stew / Jaded single. I like both versions, this has been a song that grew on me. At first I didn't really like it, but now it's one of my favorite songs.
Prosthetic Head: The lyrics are funny, but I'd rather have another song for the next single for some unknown reason. I like the part where it goes "you don't know, you don't say"
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