I keep repeating myself every so often but a new record that is straight-ahead melodic power pop/punk rock with minimal little sound effects and studio silliness would be so nice. Rev Radio was so close but I couldn’t enjoy the way the songs were recorded and embellished with little additional sounds. They’ll never do Insomniac again but a nice little throwback to Nimrod/Warning feels possible.
I do get your point about the production on Uno. The songs need to be better in this theoretical scenario and I think Rev Radio had some really strong tracks that were closer to their first heyday.
I think Revolution Radio suffered from a lack of focus. Like, I enjoy most of the songs ("Say Goodbye," "Troubled Times," and "Ordinary World" being the exceptions) but it was a bit jarring to have 60% of it being all about Billie and his sobriety... And then the political songs and "Youngblood" and "Outlaws." As songs they're all really great. The way they hang as an album just didn't do it for me. The production on that one was fine and it worked where it was placed but... I just really want something that feels like a cohesive album this time around. I didn't hate it. There's a few tracks that were clunkers... But mostly? It was pretty good from a songwriting and production standpoint. The thing that got me (and still does, TBH) about the whole trilogy is the lack of urgency. The songs just all feel like the band was going through the motions.
That was the most exciting time to be a fan, with them workshopping all these new songs at club shows. There was tons of excitement and it seemed like the band was super passionate about the material. Then iHeartRadio and rehab happened and the whole thing went sour. I'll go to bat for the trilogy until the day I die. I really love most of those songs. I know this may shock some of you, but... Trilogy > FOAM
You know, I've been revisiting the sound of wet farts recently and I think they are definitely up for a critical re-evaluation due to their recent influence on today's popular music scene.
BTW did cardio to Insomniac the other week. Still totally fucking rules. And, just to irritate the masses: Green Day >>> Blink-182
it's cool they busted out The Grouch, and it was *wild* to hear that it was the first time since the DNA Lounge in San Francisco in 2009 that they played it. I was at that DNA show, it was a 21st Century Breakdown full-album show before it was released so it all sounded so cool at the time. Also tix were like $20. memories. Green Day Setlist at DNA Lounge, San Francisco I, too, demand more Green Day club shows.