Shenanigans

Shenanigans is a collection of B-sides and outtakes from Green Day, but the California pop-punk trio do what they do with such remarkable consistency, the 14 tracks here are practically indistinguishable from the band’s A-list material. Songs like “Suffocate,” “Desensitized,” and “Sick Of Me” bounce with the exact same sort of melodic punk glee as the band’s Dookie-era hits. In fact, almost everything here does. The horn-laden, spy theme instrumental, “Espionage” is a slight detour from their usual three-chords and a ball of fury approach, as is the country-edged “On The Wagon Again.” Elsewhere, a cover of the Kinks’ “Tired Of Waiting” is as competent as it is totally unnecessary. Mostly though, Shenanigans is exactly what it should be: a treat for the die-hards and a mildly interesting diversion for anyone else who stumbles upon it.