Green Day – “Bullet In A Bible” [CD/DVD] [Album Review]

More often than not, when a band comes off of a big selling and hugely successful album, the band’s record company will find any way to cash in on this success whether it is a collection of b-sides and rarities or the ever popular DVD. Staying true to this trend, Green Day has recently released the live CD/DVD titled Bullet In A Bible to capitalize on the monster success of the band’s now famous American Idiot album.

Bullet In A Bible was recorded over two nights in June 2005 at Milton Keynes National Bowl in England and along with many of Green Day’s greatest hits, there is plenty of lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong’s trademark stage banter. Even though I often am left unimpressed by live CDs, Bullet In A Bible features good songs and good production that capture well the live Green Day experience.

Of the fourteen tracks, the first part is pretty much a live reproduction of American Idiot including the title track which opens the disc, the nine minute epic “Jesus of Suburbia” and “Are We The Waiting.” Even though the album opens quite well, I could have done without “St. Jimmy,” one of the weaker American Idiot tracks and for some reason, the band only performs about a minute and a half of the hit “Holiday” before launching right into “Are We The Waiting.” The mid part of the album features mostly back catalogue hits like “Longview,” “Hitching A Ride,” “Basket Case,” and “Brain Stew.” Some of the songs are extended live versions and Armstrong uses the crowd quite a bit to sing some of the more well known parts.

To keep up with the anti-American government theme that Green Day has been preaching now for a year and a half, Bullet In A Bible contains a whole lot of anti-American and anti-government commentary from Armstrong. I found it to be a bit forced at times and perhaps Armstrong and the band should let their songs do most of the talking. Maybe the strongest part of the CD comes at the end with a very emotional rendition of “Wake Me Up When September Ends” and “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” to close things out. “Minority” and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” sound great as well, equipped with lots of crowd singing.

Green Day as a band has proven itself to be a tight, fun, and engaging live act on Bullet In A Bible. Since the album features most of the band’s biggest hits, it would act as a good introduction to the band for new fans. Despite the fact that live albums are often just released to cash in, Bullet In A Bible contains a good track listing, good production and is worth picking up for new fans and hardcore fans alike.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. American Idiot
02. Jesus of Suburbia
03. Holiday
04. Are We The Waiting
05. St. Jimmy
06. Longview
07. Hitchin’ A Ride
08. Brain Stew
09. Basket Case
10. King for a Day/Shout
11. Wake Me Up When September Ends
12. Minority
13. Boulevard of Broken Dreams
14. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)

Run Time: 62:09
Release Date: 2005