Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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90 of 100 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Welcome To Paradise, April 29, 2005
I remember the day I bought this album. I was thirteen years of age, and the year was 1994. It was the fifth CD I've "ever" bought, and it totally spun my musical tastes into high gear, driving me to discover a world that I had never been exposed to. Along with Offspring "Smash," this was the first album I've ever bought that I felt I could identify with on a personal level. This album was the cure for boredom in the lifeless suburb I grew up in. My buddies and I would just sit around listening to this album for hours on end; everybody had it, no wonder it sold over 14 million copies.
"Dookie" was a case of accidental success, much like Nirvana's "Nevermind". The latter could be thanked for Green Day's success in many ways. Green Day hit at the right time, with the right sound. Reviving punk rock isn't the easiest task, but Green Day made it seem like child's play. At their core, the California based punk rock trio were masters at reviving the fast and catchy three-chord punk tunes that everyone's grown to love. Even though Green Day would never out sell "Dookie," their influence has reached the masses. These guys opened the door for a revival of punk metal, third wave ska and pop-punk. I'd venture to say that Green Day is the most influential band to come along in the mid nineties, second only to Nirvana.
It's a good thing pop music was better back then, than it is now; because it makes my stomach turn to hear good music mixed up with garbage. But Green Day was in good company back in 1994 (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Live, Stone Temple Pilots, Beastie Boys, The Offspring, etc.). Undoubtedly, everyone remembers "Longview," "Basket Case," and "When I Come Around". Those songs and videos were played around the clock on the radio and MTV, earning them diamond status. "Longview" was their first single off of the record, and a huge hit, thanks to it's raw bass line, heavy guitar, audacious attitudes, and catchy melodies. I feel sorry for the kids that have to put up with today's pop music. I feel pretty privileged growing up in the boom of grunge. It's not as great as the 60s or 70s, but a hell of a lot better than the pop music the new millennium has brought us. "Basket Case" was most definitely their most popular song of all time, maybe forever. It saturated the airwaves far more than it's predecessor, reaching a much larger audience. The same could be said about "When I Come Around", they simply kept topping themselves with bigger hits. Aside from the hits, there was also some great album tracks, such as the lovely "She" and "Pulling Teeth," and "Welcome To Paradise" (a re-recording of the same song off of their "Kerplunk" album) which also received airplay. This album was a defining moment in which I learned to appreciate a "full album" as opposed to single tracks. Ever since then I've been on the quest for the perfect album.
Another thing that I've always been obsessed with, is the album artwork. I had a large poster of the illustration hanging in my room that I'll never forget (since I lost it over time). Dogs throwing and launching crap at everyone, including Jesus. It was some pretty funny stuff; very punk.
I can say with pride, that these guys are still one of my favorite bands. I haven't missed a beat of their career, and thankfully, they still haven't made a bad record to this date. If you like any sort of rock music, I have no doubt that you will like this album.
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43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Something you can relate to..., October 7, 2005
I see the cynical 1990s producing a "Generation X Holy Trinity" of angst-ridden rock. These three albums include Nirvana's "Nevermind," Nine Inch Nails "The Downward Spiral," and Green Day's "Dookie." These albums are the voice of teen and post-teen frustration.
While "Nevermind" was lyrically abstract and "The Downward Spiral" was more direct-both albums depicted themes of desperation and chaos. In contrast, although quite cynical, "Dookie" is a far more upbeat album. "Dookie" shares themes similar with the other two albums; nihilism, lethargy, entrapment, and hopelessness, but it has one thing that the other two albums lack-a sense of humor. The songs are mostly tongue-in-cheek. The same message is conveyed, but in a far more juvenile, albeit sincere tone.
Although "Dookie" was the band's breakthrough smash, it was actually the bands third album, following "1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours" (1990, 1991) (a combined album and EP) and "Kurplunk" (1992). By the release of "Dookie," the band had perfected its pop/punk formula. Although it didn't start with Green Day, they brought popish assessable punk to the mainstream. Many other bands throughout the 90s/00s used/use "Dookie" as a blueprint for their inspiration.
Although singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong's songs are straight-forward and simple, they are extremely infectious. These songs have an intense vitality, but are also highly melodic. Virtually every song on "Dookie" could have been released as a single. Although the songs sound similar, the album never gets redundant, because the album is well-paced with a good mix of fast and mid-tempo compositions. Drummer Tre Cool and Bassist Mike Dirnt provide an ample and stellar rhythm section.
Released in 1994, this album has stood the test of time and has aged well. Whether it is 1994 or 2005, if you're in your late teens or 20s, just out of high school or college, and don't know what to do with your life, you can really relate to these songs. It is no small wonder why "Dookie" has sold over eight million copies.
Compared to "Nevermind" or "The Downward Spiral," "Dookie" may not be as complex or brilliant, but it's still a classic album that conveys many of the same themes. Although imitated by lesser bands (Good Charlotte, Sum 41), Green Day is the definitive pop-punk band of the 1990s and beyond.
"Dookie" is an essential album to own for any modern rock collection.
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great cd, a must for green day fans, February 23, 2002
i was a little skeptical about getting this album, because i was rather partial to Insomniac, which is a lot harder and angrier compared to Dookie. But i was pleasently surprised. though not as hard, it's full of what i like to call classic Green Day.
1) Burnout- Great song, i liked the drum part towards the end.
2) Having a Blast- my favorite song on the album, strong, angry, driving
3) Chump- i liked this one too. i don't mind the huge instrumental towards the end. it sounds cool.
4) Longview- very popular, but not my favorite. i liked the bass part
5) Welcome to Paradise- i honestly like the Kerplunk version better, but thats just me
6) Pulling Teeth- great lyrics, love this one
7) Basketcase- the classic. these lyrics are awesome
8) She- good song. good bass
9) Sassafras Roots- one of my favorites, Billie muses "so why are you alone wasting your time? you could be with ME wasting your time..."
10) When I Come Around- very true, wise song. some people consider it a ballad, but they're stupid. this is no ballad.
11) Coming Clean- a little short, but nevertheless true and timeless
12) Emenius Sleepus- really liked this one. awesome guitar part.
13) In the End- fast paced song about a guy apathetically mourning the loss of his girl to her own selfish tendencies. good song.
14) F.O.D.- one of the best on the album. starts out as an acoustic ballad and morphs into a hard angry rock song (F.O.D stands for 'F*ck Off and Die')
(**) "All By Myself"- okay, let's just say the first time i heard this, my first though was: 'what the HECK was that?!'
If you a fan of Green Day, get this cd. but don't forget to check out they're early stuff, Kerplunk and 1039 Smoothed Out Slappy Hour and such. you won't be disappointed.
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