How do 15 tracks with stylistically varying types of rock that all hit hard sound? Pretty good or at least that’s the conclusion I came to. Green Day are back with, in my opinion, their best album since “21st Century Breakdown”.
Their 14th outing, “Saviors”, scratches that itch for a return to the more political side of their work, after it was sorely missed in their previous offering “Father of all…”
Speaking of political lyrics, “People on the street, unemployed and obsolete” in the opening song and “Grandma’s on the fentanyl” in “Strange Days Are Here to Stay” really hammer home the state of America in the current day and age.
The band are clearly concerned with the direction of the country, but I can’t help but feel like the album would have hit even harder when Trump was President.
The album has some fantastic moments such as the guitar from the opening of “One Eyed B*stard”, to the gentler sounds of “Goodnight Adeline”, which I immediately can see crowds the world over singing at the top of their lungs.
Let’s also not forget the catchy “I don’t want to be a dead man walking” from “Dilemma”, which contains some of the best drums I’ve heard from Tre Cool in any Green Day song to date.
That’s not to say that this album is perfect, far from it. Mike Dirnt’s bass in my opinion might as well not be on the album at all, is it even present? Maybe he went out for a cigarette break during recordings.
In addition, songs such as “Coma City” and “Corvette Summer” just sound like rehashes of old Green Day songs, not bad songs, they just don’t seem to add anything to the bands back catalogue that they didn’t already have.
While the song “Saviors” is just plain boring and “Fancy Sauce” isn’t any better. Which means I find myself thinking why they didn’t just finish the album with Father to a Son. In my opinion the glue that holds the album together, a quieter song which is bound to be a favourite with any father/son in attendance when it is played.
I’ve saved the best till last though, “Bobby Sox”. The way Billie Joe Armstrong delivers the chorus in this song wouldn’t go amiss in a much heavier band (Maybe one will be on the phone). I find it to be a refreshing change to the usual Green Day formula and a subtle but obvious celebration of Armstrong’s own bisexuality.
I’ll leave the review with “1981”, a refreshingly fun song around the middle of the track listing which is a nod back to “Dookie”, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year (where did that time go).
So where would I file this album? Solidly in the pretty good pile, nowhere near their best offerings such as “Dookie” or “American Idiot” but certainly one I’ll stick in rotation.
7/10
Got something to say ? Leave it as a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
All rights to the videos and songs in this review are retained by Green Day. This site claims no rights over them. The main image used was provided by LD Communications. This site claims no rights over the image.
Review written by Fox Reviews Rock
Review edited by Cozzer
Guess The Year 21/01/26
Guess the year based on clues from songs, bands, and a significant world event. Bands formed include Cinderella, Living Colour, and White Lion. Notable songs feature David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams,” and Quiet Riot’s “Cum On Feel The Noize.” A key event was the Apple Lisa Computer launch.
Song Of The Week – Broken Narrative – October
This week, we spotlight “Unravel” by Radium Dolls, describing the song’s creation during a drive from Wollongong to Brisbane post-tour. It captures the blend of energy and fatigue after performing. Their second album “Wound Up” is set for release on January 30, featuring this track and two singles, alongside an Australian tour.
New Rock Roundup Vol 33
The New Rock Roundup is a weekly feature ranking fresh rock music releases. Various genres, including rock, metal, punk, and indie, are covered, along with personal insights from the writer, Fox. Listeners are encouraged to share their rankings and opinions. The current top song is “Brigitte Calls Me Baby” by Slumber Party.
Fox Reviews Rock 
Let Fox Reviews Rock know what you think!