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Back in their respective heydays, No Doubt and Green Day absolutely rocked. By the early 2000s, each band was sitting pretty with dozens of hit songs, fame, fortune and youth. But rock stars are only human, and these guys are definitely getting older.

With No Doubt set to release Push and Shove and Green Day to drop the first of a three-part album dubbed ¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tre! later this month, I’ve been wondering how the new stuff will compare to the old.

No Doubt is certainly trying. The band has been working on Push and Shove for quite some time, and fans were stoked when they finally announced the new album’s release date. However, if the first single, “Settle Down,” is any indication as to how this record will turn out, I’m personally a little disappointed. The lyrics stink of Gwen Stefani’s trademark girl-power vibe, and the island-inspired beats feel a little cliché.  I’ll admit, the song is pretty catchy, but just not at the same level that No Doubt’s other hits have been. I just can’t see myself belting “Settle Down” at a karaoke bar years from now; “Hey Baby” is a whole other story.

Green Day, on the other hand, is going all out with their newest album/project/whatever it is. Instead of opting for another rock opera-style album, they’ve decided to release not one, not two, but three CDs over four months. The band has made it clear that the new tracks center around strong sexual and violent themes. The first installment, ¡Uno!, features the single, “Kill the DJ,” a lighthearted tune about murdering a dance DJ (lovely). Is it just me, or are these guys a little old for these stuff?

Despite my misgivings about these new albums, there’s a good chance that both No Doubt and Green Day will shoot straight back to the top of the charts. Do they still have it in them? I guess we’ll find out soon enough.