I Want to Be on T.V (Shenanigans - Green Day)

Member Name: rleigh

Product:	Shenanigans - Green Day
Date:	26/04/08 (76 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A couple of decent tracks are included on this album.

Disadvantages: Many of the tracks included here are extremely disappointing.

Released in 2002, 'Shenanigans' is a compilation album of Green Day music featuring a collection of B-Sides, covers, and rarities recorded between the years of 1993 and 2002. Also featured here is a track titled 'Ha Ha You're Dead' which was newly recorded for inclusion on this album. Despite the bands attempts to make this album worth owning by recording a new track, 'Shenanigans' is I feel a completely unneeded album in the personal music collection of most. There's not much of interest on display here at all, the music isn't all bad but certainly this release is not worth the £9.99 price tag that it is given at current at Play.com; a price that I personally paid for this album at the time of its release back in 2002. Although I've owned this album for over five years now, only on a couple of occasions have I actually played it as I just don't enjoy most of the music that is included here.

The album begins with 'Suffocate', a B-Side from the single release of the track 'Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)'. This does not begin the album on good terms, this is a lacklustre track and the same can be said of much of the output on this album in fact. There is generally a reason why tracks are B-Sides, they're not strong enough to be included as album tracks and they therefore quickly become brushed aside by the band. There are of course a few moments of excellence spattered throughout this album, there's just not enough of interest going on here for my liking and this 'Shenanigans' album is therefore not a particularly fun or enjoyable album to listen to.

Two covers are included on this 'Shenanigans' album; one of The Kinks track 'Tired of Waiting for You' and another of The Ramones 'Outsider'. These two cover tracks are both adequately pulled off, never is the music particularly exciting however and neither of these tracks are anywhere near as good as the originals. The cover tracks are uninspired, fittingly mediocre on an album consisting mainly of below par offerings.

'I Want to Be on T.V' is one track from this release that I personally find to be particularly impressive. This one is fast, fun, and full of spirit; this is Green Day at the bands very best and the track is therefore excellent. The music is absolutely packed full of energy; this is one minute and seventeen seconds of pop punk fury that I certainly won't be forgetting in a hurry. Although this track is incredibly short, my opinion is that this is without doubt the main highlight of this release. The track 'Ha Ha You're Dead' which was newly recorded for this album is also strong, not quite as impressive as 'I Want to Be on T.V' but definitely still worth a mention. 'Ha Ha You're Dead' is actually the track given the honour of closing the album, it does a good job of doing this and offers this 'Shenanigans' album with one final and much needed moment of glory. The album does not begin well and most of this album in fact is not particularly strong, the final track here definitely impresses however and for me this is something that is always extremely important. I love strong opening and closing tracks, 'Shenanigans' certainly doesn't begin well but its final moments are definitely pleasing.

For those that follow the music of Green Day then 'Shenanigans' is of course worth investing in. This is not at all a strong album, there are however a couple of decent tracks present here which make this release essential for die hard fans of the band. 'Ha Ha You're Dead' and 'I Want to Be on T.V' are two tracks from this album that I recommend seeking out even if nothing else, the music here is excellent and these two are without doubt the highlights of this 'Shenanigans' compilation album. Much of this album disappoints, as I say though; there are a couple of tracks here that do impress and are definitely well worth listening to. Personally I do not feel that paying £9.99 for this album is very good value at all; find 'Shenanigans' for less than £5 and then it may well be worth buying, otherwise my best advice is not to bother.

Summary: 'Shenanigans' is a worthwhile purchase for die hard Green Day fans.