Dookie

Green Day, originally named Sweet Children, formed in the late eighties as a musical outlet for Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt, who eventually moved into Billie's family's house. They eventual put out two albums, 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hour and Kerplunk. Following the release of Kerplunk, Green Day had become very popular in the underground music scene, eventually playing across the United States, and even Europe. During the tour, though, their original drummer had quit, and they soon acquired Tre Cool as their drummer, who has been their drummer ever since. Once some major-labels had heard Green Day, a bidding war began. Eventually, they signed with Reprise Records, and went in the studio to record their major-label debut, Dookie. Dookie spawned major hits such as "Longview," "Basket Case," et cetera. and has sold in excess of 10 million records to this day, though they lost credibility with the elitist punks.Dookie is considered alongside albums like Nevermind and Weezer (The Blue Album) as being a huge influence on modern rock after its release. Ironically, Dookie was released the year of Kurt Cobain's apparent suicide. The album rarely lets up on the gas pedal, driving through each song with the band banging the crap out of their instruments. One thing that is apparent as soon as the first song, "Burnout" begins, is that the album is one huge wall of sound, similar to Weezer's first album. Billie Joe's songwriting has also grown by leaps in bounds, although they are mainly about the same topics as previous Green Day albums. He crafts huge melodies and hooks that will (usually) keep you listening to the album. Another thing that is very easy to tell is that Mike Dirnt's bass playing is almost always audible. He crafts melodic and catchy bass lines, but they also have a groove to them, as in "Longview," which contains one of my favorite bass lines of all time. Tre Cool's drumming is also top notch. He constantly keeps the pace, but at times will throw in fills to spice things up, and the near-drum solos in "Burnout" are great, as is the tom-pounding in "Longview".The songs themselves are almost all straight forward and catchy, but also self-depricating and sarcastic, as anyone would expect from a punk record. "Basket Case" is a perfect example of this. The song dictates a story in which the character puts himself down, and goes to a shrink and a whore to consult him with his problems, and accounts for a very humorous song. "She" also sports a deceptively simple bass line, with a perfectly fitting drum beat accompanying it. The song eventually becomes a huge wall of sound, as the others, and contains one of the best choruses on the album. "Pulling Teeth" is probably the most out-right melodic song, with arpeggiated chords, and one of the best vocal melodys on the album. It even contains what you could call a solo, at least for Green Day. It is apparently about Mike Dirnt's girlfriend accidentally pushing him down the stairs, resulting in an injuring. Definate highlight of the album.Dookie, though, is nowhere near perfect, as most punk albums tend to be, sadly. Songs like "Sassafras Roots" are extremely annoying and repetitive and really put the rest of the album. Indeed, "Sassafra Roots" repeats the same line after each other line, and seems more like filler than anything else. "Coming Clean" is also a rather boring song, and the whole sound of the song seems to be fairly weak compared to the rest of the album. Not exactly a bad song, but nowhere near as good as the rest of the album. The "mom and dad" references definitely ruined it for me. "In the End," although a fast, upbeat song, is a little boring also. The rhythm of the words are very pleasing, and the chorus is very well written, but really doesn't redeem the song from the verses. They do throw in a little variety near the end, which helps it out a little more. "F.O.D" is the best song of the last six. It is a half acoustic, half electric song, about a rather "explosive" relationshio (har har..). The song is very well written, and show's Billie's ability to add some variety into music, which he has shown more and more since the release. The guitar tone is to drool for, and is the hugest in the album. There is a hidden track called "All By Myself" that is very funny. Ace.Dookie is a milestone of pop-punk, ranking near the top of the best pop-punk albums ever. Although there are some duds, the rest of the album seems to redeem it, and is a very rewarding listen. For this reason, the album is definitely not a 5/5, but more of a 4/5. I definitely think that fans of almost all music should at least try and listen to this album, but I'm sure that people who do not like pop-punk will really enjoy Dookie too much.

I saw the video for "Basket Case" on MTV in 1994, when I was 17, and I was instantly hooked. I went out and bought the CD and ended up loving every song on the CD. This is one of the very few albums I have listened to(and I have listened to a lot) where every song is good or great. Many other albums have one to a few good songs. This album you can play straight through and love it all. I listened to the CD several times, everyday, for at least a year. My favorite songs are "Sassafras Roots", "Longview", "Basket Case", "Welcome to Paradise", and "When I Come Around". I probably purchased at least 5 copies, since I scratched the hell out of them, playing them so much.The songs all have kind of the same sound, with the same few chords played over and over, in different patterns. Fast and furious drum beats accompany the simple, yet addictive, guitar riffs. A lot of Green Day haters criticized this chaotic "noise", but that's punk for you. There's something about the sound that is addictive, like a drug. Most of it is upbeat and energetic, while still appealing to rebellious teenagers with the lyrics. It makes you feel somewhat "euphoric", at least it made me feel that way, back in the day and still does. The effect is similar to listen to early, upbeat Beatles' songs.I was disappointed with Green Day's albums after "Dookie", until "American Idiot" was released, approximately a decade later. I had not listened to Green Day in years, but loved the new, different, sound of Green Day. It started a Green Day renaissance and I had to listen to "Dookie" again and I re-discovered how great the album is. I don't like it as much as when I was a teenager, but it passes the test of time and I still enjoy listening to it.Any teenager out there should check out this album. Many adults may enjoy it too. I miss the days when I blasted this album through my car's speakers, repeatedly. Check out these other Green Day Albums: Kerplunk, American Idiot and 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours too.

Delievered on time. Was still wrapped in it's original wrapping. Cd was untouched. No scratches. Love Greenday so of course it's a great CD.

Album came on time and was in perfect condition. No pops or scratches. I will not have to take it to my local record shop to wash anti-mold gunk off

Those of us who know green day for their political stand outs and epic operas will be suprised and pleased to find this up-beat fast paced bit glamor punk album composed of brilliant songs dealing with teenage anxst, loving a girl, getting high, and about every other thing soothing to a 15 year old. WIth stellar hits like basket case and when I come around, you'll find yourself reliving the 90's and rolling up blunts before your very own eyes! 10 out of 10. For anyone who likes some good pacing and terrific melodies combined with satrical punk and plenty of questions that are pondered like "I'm not growing up I'm just burning out, and i step in line to walk amongst the dead" *Awesome bass riff*. By the way bassist mike dirnt is at his best in this album. I mean you'll never hear such a tight sounding band. The only band more well together is the clash and not to mention around this time green day also did an amazing cover of I fought the law. But anyway I'm rambling on at this point. All in all, there's no way this can't appeal to you. It's just got so many variables that make it so great. Just buy. Then factor them in. You will be pleased

The media could not be loaded. amazing buy now amazing in tact