Sonya Cheney
Copy Editor
Coming off of the momentum of the first of their three-album set, Green Day recently released the second album, ¡Dos!. The sound of this second album is a notable departure from the first, as well as from their typical sound.
While ¡Uno! provided listeners with morsels of classic punk sound and energy, ¡Dos! comes along with a more garage rock sound to consider. Fans of Green Day’s 2008 side project, Foxboro Hot Tubs, will hear reminiscences of the album Stop Drop and Roll!!! on this release.
This album starts out with “See You Tonight,” a classic, ‘60s-sounding track with a slightly creepy message beneath the gentle strumming.
A softer opening than on ¡Uno!, which dove right in, the song reels listeners in with a sound of comfort.
However, beneath that sugary exterior is a simple set of lyrics with the nature of someone more than just an admirer.
With lyrics claiming “Wherever the night takes you / maybe you’ll see me too,” the song’s speaker is sly and elusive.
Both this song’s underlying tones of creepiness and the following track’s lyrics smash that surface love-song feeling to pieces with stalkers and to-the-point sex.
The first single off the album, “Stray Heart,” is dance-worthy. With a pop-style beat and is yet another love song to follow ¡Uno!’s “Sweet 16.”
Now, though, Armstrong is begging to be taken back. With lines like “This dog is desperate for a home to your heart / We’ll never part, I’ll never stray from you again” thrown into the repetitive message of wanting what you just can’t have anymore, the song evokes the image of a slightly pathetic, but also incredibly repentant boyfriend who realizes what he’d lost.
In a sad twist of irony, the track “Ashley” reflects Armstrong’s current real-life struggles.
While Armstrong has gone to rehab, however, track topic “Ashley” claims “that you’re fine but I know that you ain’t / you’re looking like hell and you’re no [expletive] saint.”
This denial-ridden addict’s tale cannot be ignored when listening, if only for the real-life reflections for the band.
The track “Nightlife” may come as a slight surprise to longtime listeners who aren’t aware of the guest vocals by artist Lady Cobra.
The song is slower than many of its counterparts on the album, and even more so from Uno.
However, the song’s sound creates a link between this album and ¡Uno!, once again providing a funk sound in one of the more unusual songs of the tracklist.
Once again a rhythm from bass player Mike Dirnt holds up this track’s attitude, making it catchy despite its peculiarity.
The most noteworthy and somewhat heart-wrenching, depending upon personal opinion of the subject, is the final track, “Amy.”
An ode to Amy Winehouse, wails of “Amy don’t you go / I want you around / Singin’ woah please don’t go / do you wanna be a friend of mine” are eerie and saddening with only a single guitar as accompaniment to Armstrong’s vocals.
A heartfelt piece, the closing track gives listeners a song with true tenderness.
While notably different, the second installment of the new Green Day trilogy of albums proves itself to be versatile and worth the 40 minutes to listen.
Sonya Cheney can be contacted at
scheney@keene-equinox.com