Other high points include the more straightforward “Sugar Youth” and of course the album’s best single yet, “Oh Yeah!”įather Of All… is an enjoyable party album, and by no means the worst Green Day album. “Junkies On A High” is perhaps the most experimental track here, and another standout both musically and lyrically. Album closer “Graffitia” is a highlight here, and with a bit more bombast, could be developed into an anthem worthy of American Idiot, 21st Century Breakdown, ¡Tré!, or Revolution Radio. The rest of the songs are more instantly digestible, some demanding that you return to it soon after. “Father Of All…” was a shocking lead single, but it will grow on you after enough listens. On their own, the songs are fun and rollicking, and often sound cheerier than their lyrics would suggest. As a whole, the album feels safe and incomplete. Although we get Green Day’s version of a music history lesson, they don’t throw in much that’s new and daring. A few more songs may have helped, but even the song lengths and structures could have benefited from extra time and experimentation. It almost plays more like a mixtape than a proper album. With such a short run-time, Father Of All… doesn’t have much room to breathe, feeling instead rather rushed and under-developed. Billie Joe fearlessly utilizes his upper register, yet we also get enough of his traditional vocals that it’s still readily identifiable as Green Day.īut on the other hand, the album feels a bit too straightforward and to-the-point. We get to hear Green Day side-step into different avenues of rock’s history, with some emphasis on 1960s soul and pop (though “Stray Heart” from ¡Dos! still wins in that department). The songs are enjoyable and direct, and they balance old-school rock and Motown goodness with fresh, modern production. It’s a fun and energetic album, to be sure. Now that Father Of All… is finally here, I feel at once relieved and underwhelmed. Even the choice of singles has been scattered, though by my estimate, “Oh Yeah!” raised my hopes. The album’s short, fast nature – clocking in it at a mere 26 minutes – raised some eyebrows and questions. Billie Joe Armstrong’s extensive use of falsetto divided fans’ opinions, particularly on that first single. So when Green Day kicked off the Father Of All… era last September, starting with its unexpectedly different title track, many fans were confused, intrigued, and perhaps a bit nervous. Yes, even the trilogy, which was polarizing among fans and casual listeners alike.
American Idiot ushered me in, and while I went back and enjoyed their earlier albums, I also found myself loving each album that has come out since then. Green Day has been my favorite band for the last 15 years.