Green Day "¡Uno!" 2012***

Green Day were seasoned rock veterans by 2012. Starting out in 1986, they crossed over to the mainstream with 1994's pop-punk multi-million seller "Dookie" and re-invented themselves as thinking man's punk rockers with concept album "American Idiot" that spawned a Broadway musical and an equally well-received sequel (2009's "21st Century Breakdown"). They headlined festivals, played the biggest arenas and collaborated with U2, whose fate they seemed set to follow. Maybe it was their inner punk rebelling or maybe they found it difficult to come up with another ambitious concept work like "American Idiot", but "¡Uno!" is a stylistic return to their punk rock origins, a bid to recapture the fun spirit of "Dookie". And, let me spare you the waiting, they do achieve their goal! "Uno" is a lightweight album, in the good sense. All the songs are fast paced with strong hooks and catchy choruses, lyrics revolving around everyday life and emotions. At times, it becomes obvious that the rebelliousness, mischievous humor and teenage frustration aren't that authentic; that the band are a bunch of 40-year olds emulating their younger selves. But let's be honest: Aging gracefully isn't something that rockers are good at. And what Green Day are missing in freshness, they make up in technique. The songs are carefully constructed, album is impeccably produced, playing is clear and precise. Here I feel I have to make special mention on the band's newest member: Adding lead guitarist Jason White to the original trio of Billie Joe Armstrong, Tré Cool and Mike Dirnt was a brilliant move. His guitar solos, always crafty and concise, add a welcome classic rock dimension to their sound. "Nuclear Family" opens the album with an old-fashioned mod punk sound, sounding like a combination of Jam and The Who. "Carpe Diem" is more indebted to The Clash and one of the few songs where Armstrong and co. acknowledge their worries about getting old: "Life's a gas and it's running out/Living a cliche/Gonna seize the day/Carpe diem, a battle cry/Are we all too young to die?". "Let Yourself Go" and "Kill The DJ" were released as singles and are among the highlights, the former a Ramones-y punk rocker with a catchy chorus and the latter sporting an indie disco beat reminiscent of Franz Ferdinand. "Loss Of Control" is a typical punk pop track, slightly above average thanks to the great guitar work and funny lyrics like "I'd rather go to a funeral than into this high school reunion". On a good day, "Troublemaker" sounds like the Troggs playing "My Sharona". On a bad day, it sounds like Offspring's less successful attempts at a funk/punk hybrid. Lead single "Oh Love" closes the album with a detour into classic rock. Referencing The Who (intro) and Free (guitar riff) risks sounding derivative, but at least the chorus brings a welcome whiff of Irish pub singalongs, not a bad way to close the album. All the songs not mentioned are more or less competent but unexceptional punk pop fare. "¡Uno!" was followed in quick succession by "¡Dos!" and "¡Tré!", forming a strong punk-pop trilogy.

**** for Nuclear Family, Carpe Diem, Let Yourself Go, Kill The DJ, Oh Love 

*** for Stay The Night, Loss Of Control, Trouble Maker, Rusty James

** for Fell For You, Angel Blue, Sweet 16