Green Day's Second Time Proves To Be The Charmer

It can be said upon listening to "Dos!" the initial sequel in Green Day's pop punk trilogy that these guys know how to reel in the masses with undeniable hooks. They can be excused for watering down the album a bit with filler since they've more than compensated for that with three highly addictive gems. "Stray Heart" locks onto your attention span like that puppy dog that just refuses to get the hint that no, you're not going to take him in no matter how forlorn he appears. From the start Mike Dirnt's bass comes complete with this neon sign self awareness that calls out "Dude, I'm the hipster you couldn't be on your best day". It's the swirling backdrop of anticipatory disappointment Mike sets the stage for, coupled with Billie Joe Armstrong's begrudging declaration that she's the woman who possess all he wants and needs but can't have which elevates "Stray" to the status of a glimmering blink and you missed it nugget of heavenly delight. I feel Billie's thorny dilemma. Most of all I appreciate he fronts a band whose lyrics I not only hear but, on some primal level, comprehend perfectly. Green Day captures the beautiful people sinister world that springs to life after dark with "Nightlife". It's gorgeous and spooky rolled into one. Toss in some choice hip-hop wordplay as palate cleanser and you have the makings of a party you wouldn't dare RSVP your way out of. I know we're past Halloween now but this song wouldn't be too out of place on some best bud's soundtrack for the evening. Even though it's not necessarily an indication of saving the best for last "Amy" is masterfully placed in the closing slot. No over the top punk aggression. No seeking to further cement mainstream appreciation. Quite simply Billie Joe's front and center for "Amy", simple acoustic heartstring drama. The titular girl is the object of Billie Joe's quest for friendship. This sort of entreaty works best stripped of its electricity. You can't deny he's directing his offer of social bonding at her instead of right through her. Many fans might argue that Green Day's forte isn't melting away rigid exteriors but "Amy" is one of those undiluted story songs where you can't help rooting for both sides of the equation. Not that they've even remotely come close to stifling their rock salvos. Tre' Cool hammers away at the drums as if he's not sure how the love hate relationship he has with them is shaking out at the moment. His skins and Billie Joe's guitar team up to weave the intricately synchronized tapestry of grind worthy ear eroticism that is "Fuck Time". "Wild One" could've been banished to the cutting room floor were it not for the very catchy repetition of the title. This bridges all components of the song so they gel to form a convincing whole. In the mood for one punk rock kid's confessional of accumulated exhaustion? You'll flip for "Lazy Bones". The lyrics themselves should be relatable to anyone who walks around in a fatigue haze, whether by force or by choice. Billie Joe's too tired to be bored yet too bored to be tired. This level of day-to-day limbo strike a chord? I say how could it not. Following Billie Joe around while he struggles to recover his equilibrium never ceases to be a source of fascination. As I pointed out earlier, "Dos!" is not without some throwaway tracks masquerading as Green Day staying close to its roots ("Ashley", "Baby Eyes", "Lady Cobra"). However, the good and downright jaw-dropping outweigh the bad and ill-advised. With "Tres" waiting in the wings, Green Day demonstrates it can command the same level of excitement with a musical trilogy as say a George Lucas did back in the '70s and early '80s with his Star Wars trilogy. Let's all hope the group doesn't go Jar Jar Binks on us and uncork a genuine clunker. "Dos" gives us the caffeinated energy we've come to love about them and tosses in a few snapshots of what they sound like when they're in the zone.