CD reviews: Green Day

Back in 1992, American punk-pop outfit Green Day released sophomore album Kerplunk!, a simplistic, celebratory barrage of guitar and drums that established a template the band then sought to twist into various shapes, including political-conceptual efforts such as 2004’s American Idiot.

Now, in their 12th studio effort, Billie Joe Armstrong and company seem caught somewhere in the middle, not quite knowing whether to strive for big statements  or settle for garage-band (not the app) fun.

And so much of it has been done before, be it by them, Blink 182 or any one of a number of fast-fretters with melodic sensibilities.

• Green Day. Revolution Radio. Warner Music. 

• Two and a half stars (out of five)

Single download: Somewhere Now
For those who like: Good Charlotte

— Shane Gilchrist