God’s second favorite band freaking did it. Pinhead Gunpowder released something new, and something good. Scratch that, something great.
Long have Billie Joe Armstrong music fanatics such as myself awaited another Pinhead Gunpowder album (fronted by the one and only Billie Joe himself). And when one Austin Kaus informed me that the new Pinhead Gunpowder album, Unt, had been released, I had been overcome with the excitement of a giddy teenager who had just been DM’ed by their crush asking for the answers to the homework in history class.
Starting the album off strong with the album-titled song, “Unt”, Pinhead Gunpowder busted through the doors of my ear drums, and began filling that home with sheer raw power. Featuring a Dropkick Murphys meets the Friends Theme Song-esque guitar riff blasting in the foreground at the beginning and end, “Unt” truly was the opening song of my dreams for this band I enjoy immensely.
Not-to-mention, “Unt” also featured what could be a possible Saviors reference in the opening verse when Billie Joe starts singing, “We get a sermon ridin’ the subway // The preacher’s spewing poison at the crowd // We’re going nowhere waiting for saviors”.
The album flew by. Each and every song seemed to blend into the other, but had a different vibe and sound. I suppose time really does fly when you have fun—and I had fun listening to this album in full.
At exactly halfway through the album is when the album becomes really emotional. With the song “Shine”, Pinhead Gunpowder breaks any emotional barrier one had put up before listening to the album. With heavily emotional lyrics like, “You can’t win // Most of the time // But it’s enough just // Being alive // Don’t break your heart // Chasing the sun // Don’t wish on stars,” it feels like “Shine” is breaking you down emotionally, and is something people can connect with.
Following the emotional bombardment that is “Shine”, comes one “¡Hola Canada!”.Billie Joe Armstrong is no wuss when it comes to sharing political views. In fact, this song is likely related to when Billie Joe said he’d “renounce” his US Citizenship following the overturning of landmark supreme court case, Roe v. Wade. This political masterpiece talks about how Armstrong hopes to move away from the divided, and unequal American politics and society to a more peaceful Canadian lifestyle. “I am an expat runaway // Escapee for my Liberty // Foutre le camp USA // You got me running” are among some of the high energy, intense, “screw tyranny”-attitude lyrics found throughout the song. A piece of intuition tells me Bille Joe Armstrong wants to move to Canada.
After the high-energy, political paragon that is “¡Hola Canada!”, came another bombardment of emotional lyrics and rhythms in “Here Goes The Neighborhood”. Boasting heart felt lyrics about what it’s like to be a father raising a child. “Once was typical // Twice exceptional // On and on, the nights are long // Tomorrow is everyday // Hold my hand the sidewalk ends // Don’t run into the street” are among some of the most emotional lyrics throughout the song. The singer of the song, who is guitarist and vocalist, Jason White (who is also the touring guitarist of Green Day), has two children. One was born in 2013, the other 2014.
This song is an ode to watching his kids grow up. An ode to being a father. That’s what makes this song so special.
Fast forward past “Mumbles”, a rapid (and short) song about an intense relationship, to “Green”.
“Green” has umph, it’s got power, and it’s got passion. The song details a story about a couple watching a different couple making out on some city corner—and then breaking up right after. The singer details the conversation he had with the person by the name of “Celia.” It’s apparent throughout the song that Celia and the main character are bothered by the break up. The singer details how most girls are happy when they’re right, but that “Celia was a different type.”
Towards the end of “Green”, the song talks about how the guy will always look back, but the girl almost never does. The main subject predicted it: “’Look back’ I yelled. He turned his head // ‘Not you, her!’ I begged, but he did it again // Too late for him to see, she snuck a peek quickly // Just as the light turned green.” The song then faded out on “green.”
After “Green” came one “Chowchilla”. “Chowchilla” is an intense song about a particularly unlucky day for the author.
Succeeding “Chowchilla” comes “Trash TV”, which sounds like a track taken straight from Saviors. The punchy palm muting during the verses, the ride-filled choruses and pre-choruses, and the dirty (albeit wailing) solo straight into a chorus, all combine to provide a very Saviors-esque sound.
“Song for Myself” is the final track on the album… and also the strongest. “Song for Myself” is easily the most heartfelt and emotional song on Unt. This song details every aspect of the two writers’ (Billie Joe and Jason White) lives—from falling in love to defying the government, “Song for Myself” goes through it all.
Even though it’s just a song for themselves, I like to think it’s also a song for us too. The chorus gives insight into the writers’ minds that gives insight into society too. “Do I believe that the answer // Is still blowing in the wind? (I believe it) // Do I believe that with a little more love now //All our troubles end? (I believe it) // Do I believe that there are good times rolling // Just around the bend? // Here I am trying to believe in myself // Be a little good // Be a little good // Be a little good // To my friends.”
This chorus is incredibly powerful. It makes you wonder if you believe if the answer is still blowing in the wind or not. It makes you wonder if you really believe whether or not love is the cure for our troubles.
I know I believe, and hope you do too.
