Warning:

by

Green Day

Edit

With the release of their fourth major label album "Warning" Green Day shows once again that they aren't your average "punk-rock" band. Gone are the three power chord angst filled songs, but the catchy harmonies that made "Dookie" a commercial success are back. However, this is "Warning" and not "Dookie." The title track in itself asks "Is the cop or am I the one that's really dangerous?" That's pure Green Day...defiance, questioning everything and so on. "Blood, Sex, And Booze" is a good track that has a catchy beat and you just can't help but to tap your toes to. "Church on Sunday" explores the new direction of Green Day, asking the question "If I promise to go to church on Sunday, will you go with me on Friday night? If you live with me I'll die for you and this compromise." "Fashion Victim" explores the pop culture of brand name clothes, asking "what's in the name?" "Castaway" is one of the best tracks on the album, telling the story of a loner trying to find his way. Then, the album gets incredible.."Misery" is a Russian-Spanish style song with acordians used very nicely, and with Bille Joe's vocals telling different stories of troubled people. "Deadbeat Holiday" is a decent song, with a message that attacks all losers who do nothing about themselves. "Hold On" is a song written by BJ for a friend who had three loved ones die in the same year. He says "When there's nothing left to hold on to, you gotta hold on to yourself." "Jackass" is a song about just that...idiots. The main line says "Everybody loves a joke, but no one likes a fool." How true. "Waiting" is another of the breakthrough, non angst songs that inspires hope in the listener. "I've been waiting a lifetime for this moment to come, I'm destined for anything at all." If you're reading this, then odds are you've already heard "Minority" the song that wants to be the underprivilaged and have their attitudes toward authority (for the most part). And finally, perhaps the greatest song on the album, "Macy Day Parade" is a wonderful ballad, similar to "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" but in a whole other direction. This beautiful song conveys the message that "I'm thinking about a brand new hope, the one I've never known, 'cause now I know it's all that I've wanted." Overall, this album is a pure gem, although it will be marred by critics because it isn't "Dookie" and the standards have been set so high. But who cares? They are happy, and the album is wonderful. I recommend this to the die-hard Green Day fan, and to those who have never liked them as well. The guys should be proud of this effort!