Green Day/ Saviors

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Green Day/ Saviors 

Genre: Punk-rock

Label: Reprise Recotds 

Rating: ****

After the phenomenal success of their 2004 concept album American Idiot, every subsequent album by Green Day has provoked comparison. They tried a similar formula five years later on 21st Century Breakdown, but couldn't match the predecessor. Today, most fans would agree that they won't ever repeat the brilliance of that record, or probably match the classic 'Boulevard Of Broken Dreams' or 'Wake Me Up When September Ends'.

So where does that leave Saviors, the Californian punk-rock band's latest and 14th studio outing? Without getting into comparison mode, let's suffice it to say that it's a very consistent record, with vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong again proving why he's one of the top rock vocalists of his generation. His guitars have that mastery too, and with bassist Mike Drint and drummer Tre Cool, we have a skin-tight power trio.

Rather than talk of war, terror or Iraq, the songs cater to a wider set of emotions, from unfulfilled dreams and hatred to broken relationships and even paternal feelings. Armstrong gets right into form with 'The American Dream Is Killing Me', singing, "The American dream is killing me, all double-talk of conspiracy". The song starts off in punk-rock mode, but the transition is reminiscent of later-day Beatles.

Continuing with 'Look Ma, No Brains', which talks of a boy accepting his mental health issues, Green Day settle into more melodic territory on 'Bobby Sox' . Here, Armstrong sings, "Do you wanna be my girlfriend? I'll take you to a movie that we've already seen, or sit at home and watch re-runs, there's no other place I wanna be".

Over 46 minutes, the album fits in 15 songs. 'One-Eyed Bastard' spews with hatred, and 'Goodnight Adeline' is about pain - "I'm sick in bed again, my head's under the pillow, my spirit's broken, and my face is in the gutter singing Goodnight Adeline". There’s also this interesting track 'Corvette Summer', a rock n' roll track about how listening to records can reduce pain.

Of the two best cuts, 'Suzie Chapstick' has a beautiful hook, and post-break-up lines like, "Will I ever see your face again, not just photos from an Instagram?" And there's the moving and intense 'Father To A Son' - "Well I made a few mistakes, but I'll never break your heart, I promise, father to a son". Easily one of the.best songs the band has written. Finally, there's the title track, a straight-ahead rocker with a singalong concert appeal.

Once again, the band works with the amazing producer Rob Cavallo, also known for his work with rock band Goo Goo Dolls. And while Armstrong holds fort, coming up with clever lines, Drint's backing vocals are an essential part of the mix. As for drummer Tre Cool, he's on another level. Quite simply summed up, Saviors is Dookie-grade, the reference being to their path-breaking 1994 album.