The year was 1994, “The Lion King” was in theaters, the Sony Playstation had just been launched, Kurt Cobain committed suicide — and Green Day released their album “Dookie.”

Green Day had previously been considered a somewhat unpopular band but after the release of “Dookie,” the band’s fame skyrocketed. Green Day ruled the music world in the late 90’s. Fast forward to today  and they’re climbing back up to the top of the charts.

“Revolution Radio” is the band’s newest album. While the members may look older, their sound and look hasn’t changed all that much over the course of time. Thirty years has done little to change this much-loved band. The album is a movement for lost souls to come together.

The track that stands out the most on the album is “Still Breathing,” which is a misfits’ survival anthem. The song is about needing to hold onto the knowledge that we are all still alive, still struggling and most importantly, still breathing.

The song sounds like a Blink-182 song because it’s pop-punk without the typical sneer that Green Day is famous for. With a slow build up, the song features  lyrics like “I’m like a soldier coming home for the first time/ I dodged a bullet and I walked across a landmine,” “oh I’m still alive” and “cause I’m still breathing on my own.”

Green Day is notorious for making its political opinion well known. Their music is often fueled by a strong political message. They write anti-establishment power anthems that call for rebellion and answers. So it only makes sense that songs like “Say Goodbye” and “Somewhere Now” contain elements of political strife. The biggest political song on the album however is “Bang Bang.”

“Bang Bang” is an aggressive fast-paced song that looks into the mind of a spree shooter who is seeking fame. “Bang bang, give me fame” sneers the band during the chorus. “I got a fever for the violent behavior” and “I am a semi-automatic lonely boy” are just a few of the strong lyrics featured in this track. With its power chords and alarming lyrics, this track was the perfect way to make a comeback.

It seems that this year is the year for “old”’ punk rock bands to make  a comeback. First,Blink-182 released a new album and went on tour and now we have Green Day doing the exact same thing.

The album contains a wistfully nostalgic track such as “Outlaws” and it also contains “Youngblood,” which is an ode to Armstrong’s wife. If you’re looking for a speedy pop-punk tune then “Revolution Radio” is the hit for you.

However if you’re more interested in a slower more Beatles-sounding like song then the album closer “Ordinary World” is definitely the track you’re looking for.  

“Bouncing Off The Wall” is a party track because it sounds like a party in the middle of a revolt. “Something Now” is an acoustic ballad that builds up to something darker with electric power chords. “Troubled Times” is another song that sounds like a Beatles song during the verses but the chorus builds up to something darker.

The pop punk band still has that edge that made fans fall in love 30   years ago. However let’s hope that the band has left the guyliner in the past.