(14-track 'rarities compilation' LP/ 2002)
So have Greenday, forever more the coolest and the greatest pop-punk band in history, finally sold out? On the back of their greatest hits release, here's 14 'rare' tracks and cover versions. And not ones to waste time, this album runs for lil longer than 35 minutes - and is thus really for hardcore obsessives only� even if the tunes still are top notch.
'I Don't Want To Fall In Love' as an example hears these 3 quirky rebels at their frantic best, though the Speedy Gonzales-paced 'I Want To Be On TV' is even better - and is notably a cover of an old Fang song. Whoever the fuck they are.
Just like Blink 182 who came long after them, the Greenday punks have always been classically immature in their ways and music, as in stoopid-yet-fun spells such as 'Ha Ha You're Dead. 'Espionage' is good for a laugh too as they instrumentally improvise with the 'Batman' theme tune and (for once) tastefully jizz all over it with something of a cool Country sound.
Yep, the old stuff is always the best. And, perhaps incredibly, they show they're fans of 60's guitar-pop heroes The Kinks by mellowing out with a soulful cover of 'Tired of Waiting For You.'
I just hope they use the money they've made from re-collating and re-issuing all these old songs wisely. Their 'Nimrod' album hit me in my formative years and I thought it was pop-punk at its most brilliant. If they share the green in their wealth of musical talent round fairly there's no real reason to complain.
So my two-fingered salute is aimed at nobody in particular, least of all the 'Day's frontman Billie Joe. God no. (STEVE RUDD)