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Review of Green Day's "Nimrod"

© Nick Bendel

The amusingly titled Nimrod (1997) is Green Day's fifth album. Despite containing eighteen tracks it is very difficult to locate any sort of variety. The only real exceptions are the instrumental piece 'Last Ride In' and the slow ballad 'Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)'. Other than that it almost appears as if Nimrod is one long song.

(As an interesting, though irrelevant, sidenote, self-esteem does not seem to be Green Day's strong suit. Here are some of their titles: 'Nice Guys Finish Last', 'The Grouch', 'Worry Rock', 'Uptight', 'Walking Alone' and 'Reject'.)

If this album is anything to go by, then this is a band who likes music to be hard and fast. There is nothing particularly subtle or sophisticated about anything on this record. This, and the lack of diversity, are the main criticisms that can be made of it.

On the positive side Green Day can write some pretty catchy tunes. However this is due to the lack of sophistication present on Nimrod. Simple songs are often the most compelling- at least initially- but lack any real staying power.

And in the end that is what makes this album average, as opposed to being really good, or just plain good. There is no stand out track that you want to keep playing over and over again. It seems Green Day are relying on a musical formula which they use to churn out one dependable song after another, but nothing at all special.

It's hard to be too critical, because not all bands have the ability to write brilliant music and certainly countless groups would love to be able to produce music as catchy as that present on this album. Nimrod is a bit of harmless fun, but ultimately uninspiring.

RATING: 6/10