Listen to me: Chan, the critic, gives his slant on this week's new releases

Green Day: Warning (Reprise)

Limp Bizkit and Korn have replaced Green Day and The Offspring as the kings of teenage angst rock.

In 1994 Green Day's third album, their major label debut, "Dookie" ruled the music charts with delicious punk-pop songs. Teenagers across the country sang the lyrics from "Longview," "When I Come Around" and "Basket Case" in between their wet dreams.

Their next two releases "Insomniac" and "Nimrod" did not fair as well due to experimentation with darker lyrics and an urgency to overcome the flash-in-the-pan complex. None of the singles were as successful as the ones released from "Dookie," except for the mock-Disneyland theme song "Good Riddance."

Six years after "Dookie," the band claims to have changed style and direction for the 12-track "Warning."

But the songwriting talents of Billie Joe Armstrong have worn thin.

Songs such as "Blood, Sex, And Booze," "Hold On" and the first single "Minority" sound adequate -- acoustic guitars, harmonica are the new toys on the album -- but the lyrics and hooks are not as strong as they were in the past. It is only fitting that they have lightened up a bit more on the lyrics to go back to the fun of "Dookie," but in the end, the songs are not as memorable.

Early on Scott Litt, of Nirvana and R.E.M. fame, was set to produce the album, but the band decided to go at it on their own in the studio. One wonders what it would be like to hear the sparkling acoustic sound from Litt's genius producing along with Armstrong's snarl.

A warning to Green Day fans, the band's days are numbered.

Chan Tran

Didn't Paul Simon compose music for the mini-series "Shaka Zulu?"

At this point in his career, it would be hard for music listeners to take him seriously following his African-beat obsession.

Simon's new 11-track release returns him to the non-"Roots" period of his career. His last album, "Songs From The Capeman," had a short shelf life in music stores and on the Broadway stage.

The highlight of his career was the video for "You Can Call Me Al," in which Chevy Chase lip-synced to Simon's voice. Maybe Simon should be a cast member for Saturday Night Live. At least there will be applauds and laughter for his music.
 

Van Morrison/Linda Gail Lewis: You Win Again (Pointblank/Virgin)

Van is the original Man. I have been told I am the man, but I have to bow down to the master.

Morrison's music reminds me of nights wandering down a fog-covered street with the sound of a solo saxophone playing in my head. It is the music of a sidewalk sorcerer for his legion of back-street followers.

The latest brew is collaboration with the sister of Jerry Lee Lewis for a collection of covers.  Early reports for the release states that he will do one original track, "No Way Pedro," and three Hank Williams Sr. tracks.
 

Bette Midler: Bathhouse Bette (Warner Bros.)

Midler's rose should have wilted by now.

There is basically not a legitimate reason why this no-talent and lackluster singer is still around making music. Like Barbra Streisand, she has nothing to contribute to the music industry. They try to look important.

Her latest release features Leonard Cohen's "Song of Bernadette."

How dare she put shame to the Cohen's name. Cohen should be informed of her crime and be given a chance to throw her off his tower of song. For non-Cohen fans, tower of song is a reference to one of his most-famous songs.