You") are faithfully executed but not all that interesting; two of the B sides ("Don't Wanna Fall in Love" and "Rotting") are uninspired filler; and the surf instrumental "Espionage," Green Day's cut on the
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack, seems out of place amid the bubblegum punk and hardcore. That's not to say there isn't plenty of fist-pumping fun here, particularly for die-hard fans: The fast-and-furious "I Want to Be on TV" thrashes like the band's pre-Dookie performances on Berkeley's Gilman Street punk scene; "Sick of Me" and the previously unreleased "Ha Ha You're Dead" are both solid loser anthems; and the shuffling "On the Wagon Again" is a surprising countryish charmer. In retrospect, this collection of odds and sods -- and to a greater degree,
Superhits! -- proves Green Day were every bit as passionate as their first-generation punk heroes. So they fake British accents -- big whoop!
MARK KEMP
(RS 903 - August 22, 2002)
This 2002 album rounds up all the B-sides, outtakes and cover versions the band have put out in past years. The band don't really slouch when it comes to putting together albums, so it makes sense that these tracks are as smart as their album tracks. "Scumbag" is a quick highlight and their cover of the Kinks' "Tired Of Waiting For You" is spot-on.
