Certified Nimrod Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Oh my. Half of the greatness of Insomniac is based on the lyrics on it. One could argue they are his best ever. Each one of them work as an entity, as well as provides a fountain of incredible one-liners, as proved above. As far as that kind of lyricism goes, they are unbeatable. On Nimrod and AI the lyrics are at least as good, maybe, but on the other hand they are so different from the lyrics on Insomniac that there is no reason to compare them. I can give you a piece of advice . With Insomniac came a sheet on which the lyrics were printed. It has been a great aid to me when I've been in doubt. Of course one can never be sure if that's what he really is singing, but I'm fairly certain that's at least what he tried to sing I hope you know I was kidding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sauli Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 I hope you know I was kidding. I assure you I did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat1308 Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Just a random thought. I really can't help but think the transition between the EPs /39/Smooth / Kerplunk and Dookie is kinda abrupt. As is general knowledge, about 90% of their pre-Dookie material consists of sappy girl songs - then comes Dookie which by comparison barely has a song that would fit that trope (though I guess stuff like When I Come Around could be loosely classified as such, albeit no longer without the 'sappy' part). Come to think of it, Dookie wasn't like anything Green Day has released before, and AI wasn't like anything Green Day has released before - in fact, that holds true with nearly just about every album they've released. I see a pattern of sudden (dare I say abrupt) transitions here. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share Posted October 19, 2014 Just a random thought. I really can't help but think the transition between the EPs /39/Smooth / Kerplunk and Dookie is kinda abrupt. As is general knowledge, about 90% of their pre-Dookie material consists of sappy girl songs - then comes Dookie which by comparison barely has a song that would fit that trope (though I guess stuff like When I Come Around could be loosely classified as such, albeit no longer without the 'sappy' part). Come to think of it, Dookie wasn't like anything Green Day has released before, and AI wasn't like anything Green Day has released before - in fact, that holds true with nearly just about every album they've released. I see a pattern of sudden (dare I say abrupt) transitions here. I actually think the transitions are fairly smooth between some albums, but there's a definite leap between some of them. You can put the EPs, 39/Smooth, Kerplunk, Dookie and Insomniac in my opinion and it feels like a natural transition. The only difference I see between Kerplunk and Dookie is the production, plus a bit more anger in the lyrics. In terms of sappy girl songs there's still When I Come Around and Sassafras Roots, and while there are differences in lyrical tone I think overall the actual sound of the music makes it seem smooth enough a transition. But then you go from Insomniac to Nimrod and it's like "what the fuck happened here?" I think Nimrod and Warning can go together in terms of how versatile they are sound-wise, and American Idiot/21CB can to together for obvious reasons. Oddly, I think the Trilogy albums tend to fit well into different parts of their career - Uno goes somewhere in between Insomniac and Nimrod, Tre fits in quite well with American Idiot and Breakdown, and Dos is kind of on its own. It seems like they progressed greatly and relatively naturally all through their career until they hit the Trilogy, then some serious shit went down. tl;dr I lump them into four categories: EPs, 39/Smooth, Kerplunk, Dookie, Insomniac, Uno Nimrod, Warning, American Idiot, 21st Century Breakdown, Tre Dos 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermione Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Just a random thought. I really can't help but think the transition between the EPs /39/Smooth / Kerplunk and Dookie is kinda abrupt. As is general knowledge, about 90% of their pre-Dookie material consists of sappy girl songs - then comes Dookie which by comparison barely has a song that would fit that trope (though I guess stuff like When I Come Around could be loosely classified as such, albeit no longer without the 'sappy' part). Come to think of it, Dookie wasn't like anything Green Day has released before, and AI wasn't like anything Green Day has released before - in fact, that holds true with nearly just about every album they've released. I see a pattern of sudden (dare I say abrupt) transitions here. I think Kerplunk provides the transition. Going from the earlier stuff to Dookie would've been a big jump, but Kerplunk is a lot less sappy and has lots of songs on subjects other than girls, with a more cynical edge coming into the lyrics, and it sounds pretty close to Dookie musically as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Sauli Posted October 19, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 19, 2014 One thing I find awesome about Green Day is that even though the basic Green Day trademark sound is always recognisable, their sounds has never been absolutely the same on two albums, they have always added something new. No two Green Day albums sound absolutely the same. Every new album has introduced something new. That really makes them stand out since it would have been very easy just to repeat that same pop punk sound of Basket Case eternally. That is in my opinion very big big asset. Most of the bands I deem great - I mean, really great - have done so. With the Trilogy they, in some ways, ignored that principle and went backwards instead. The sign of this is that the best songs on the Trilogy (like Brutal Love or Kill the DJ) are also those ones that sound most dissimilar to the general sound of the Trilogy. Those songs were bold moves, fresh moves, and not just regression. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chin for a Day Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 tl;dr I lump them into four categories: EPs, 39/Smooth, Kerplunk, Dookie, Insomniac, Uno Nimrod, Warning, American Idiot, 21st Century Breakdown, Tre Dos I think it is very interesting the way you categorized their records. I agree for the most part, with slight variations: Category 1 - 39/Smooth, Kerplunk - I would categorize these separately merely for the production value. I think it makes a huge difference. Category 2 - Dookie, Insomnic, Uno - Agree with this 100%. Didn't Billie say that Uno was supposed to be a throw back to their earlier sound? I think he succeeded. Category 3 - Nimrod, Tre - I lumped these together because I think they are different enough to stand on their own. It's almost like they are transition records getting ready for a change to a new sound. Hopefully, anyway on Tre's part. Category 4 - Warning, AI 21st CB - I agree that sound wise Warning is closer to Insomniac, but lyrically it is much different. I think it is a preamble to the more political nature of AI and 21st CB. Category 5 - Dos - Proof that there should only be 4 categories. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayonaise Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 While Shenanigans isn't really all that great, "Suffocate", "Sick of Me", and "Desensitized" are some of the best Green Day songs I've ever heard. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sauli Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Redundant is both lyrically and musically one of their best songs. It deserves more attention. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 One thing I find awesome about Green Day is that even though the basic Green Day trademark sound is always recognisable, their sounds has never been absolutely the same on two albums, they have always added something new. No two Green Day albums sound absolutely the same. Every new album has introduced something new. That really makes them stand out since it would have been very easy just to repeat that same pop punk sound of Basket Case eternally. That is in my opinion very big big asset. Most of the bands I deem great - I mean, really great - have done so. With the Trilogy they, in some ways, ignored that principle and went backwards instead. The sign of this is that the best songs on the Trilogy (like Brutal Love or Kill the DJ) are also those ones that sound most dissimilar to the general sound of the Trilogy. Those songs were bold moves, fresh moves, and not just regression. Green Day do the basics incredibly well, up until the Trilogy. Solid lyrics, above average drumming, catchy 4/5 chord melodies, and killer bass fills are pretty much their trademarks. Pre-Trilogy, those cover about 85% of everything they've ever released, with the remaining 15% being outliers. The problem with the Trilogy is they forgot about the basics that made them so consistently good, and attempted to shit out a record because they could do no wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anaïs. Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Green Day do the basics incredibly well, up until the Trilogy. Solid lyrics, above average drumming, catchy 4/5 chord melodies, and killer bass fills are pretty much their trademarks. Pre-Trilogy, those cover about 85% of everything they've ever released, with the remaining 15% being outliers. The problem with the Trilogy is they forgot about the basics that made them so consistently good, and attempted to shit out a record because they could do no wrong. And they also seemed to forget that when you only use A, E, D and G for half your songs having 37 songs on one record might not be the best move in terms of keeping the listener engaged. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share Posted October 19, 2014 While Shenanigans isn't really all that great, "Suffocate", "Sick of Me", and "Desensitized" are some of the best Green Day songs I've ever heard. And Ha Ha You're Dead! Green Day do the basics incredibly well, up until the Trilogy. Solid lyrics, above average drumming, catchy 4/5 chord melodies, and killer bass fills are pretty much their trademarks. Pre-Trilogy, those cover about 85% of everything they've ever released, with the remaining 15% being outliers. The problem with the Trilogy is they forgot about the basics that made them so consistently good, and attempted to shit out a record because they could do no wrong. And vocal harmonies actually sung by Mike. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Sauli Posted October 19, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 19, 2014 Or decent songwriting. After all everything comes down to the quality of the songs. And since lyrics have always been important when it comes to Green Day, let's do a comparison: Hey, you got yourself a pretty little mouth I think I wanna rub it the wrong way Do you wanna spin a bottle, play a game of chicken? Well, it's a tongue twister till your lips are bleeding Oh, anyhow, anywhere Kiss me there, oh kiss me there Oh, scream and shout, truth or dare Kiss me there, oh kiss me there Oh, you're so precious, you're a fucking delinquent Well I got myself jonesin' and I need some fixin' It's a makeout party on another dimension And it's gonna get crowded with some bad intensions Oh, anyhow, anywhere Kiss me there, oh kiss me there Oh, scream and shout, truth or dare Kiss me there, oh kiss me there VS I'm just a mutt And nowhere is my home Where dignity's a land mine In the school of lost hope I've panhandled for a life because I'm not afraid to beg Hand me down your lost and founds Of second hand regret You better swallow your pride Or you're gonna choke on it You better digest your values Because they turn to shit Honor's gonna knock you down Before your chance to stand up and fight I know I'm not the one I got no pride Sects of disconnection And traditions of lost faith No culture's worth a stream of piss Or a bullet in my face To heck with unity Separation's gonna kill us all Torn to shreds and disjointed Before the final fall 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share Posted October 19, 2014 Like most songwriters Billie is far better when he's being a miserable git. So we've only got ourselves to blame for making AI and 21CB so popular. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anaïs. Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Like most songwriters Billie is far better when he's being a miserable git. So we've only got ourselves to blame for making AI and 21CB so popular. Really, though, it's not even that he has to be miserable. They were already on top of the world after making AI, but they were seethingly angry at the state of American political affairs. Maybe if Billie had kept watching the news after 21CB we still could have gotten something awesome; as is 99 Revs is the only attempt at something like that, and it's far too little far too late. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share Posted October 19, 2014 Really, though, it's not even that he has to be miserable. They were already on top of the world after making AI, but they were seethingly angry at the state of American political affairs. Maybe if Billie had kept watching the news after 21CB we still could have gotten something awesome; as is 99 Revs is the only attempt at something like that, and it's far too little far too late. It's 99 Ebola cases tonight... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Anaïs. Posted October 19, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 19, 2014 It's 99 Ebola cases tonight... There's no virus in the air, But there's fluid in the street, A sanitary facemask sale Won't go out to bankruptcy, It's not something that you catch From a handshake or a cough, But it's transmitted by blood and jizz, So you better be careful who you boff... 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share Posted October 19, 2014 There's no virus in the air, But there's fluid in the street, A sanitatary facemask sale Won't go out to bankruptcy, It's not something that you catch From a handshake or a cough, But it's transmitted by blood and jizz, So you better be careful who you boff... Jesus Christ No, we're not parodying the Trilogy. Yet. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anaïs. Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Jesus Christ No, we're not parodying the Trilogy. Yet. Not until we've finished the last one, anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermione Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Hoping " " is code for you're going to finish it Unpopular opinion: 99 Revolutions is my least favourite Trilogy song Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Spike Posted October 19, 2014 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 19, 2014 Unpopular opinion: 99 Revolutions is my least favourite Trilogy song Holy shit I was not expecting to read that today. Guess you can return that International Superfan banner, o defender of everything Billie has ever shat out in his sleep. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anaïs. Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Hoping " " is code for you're going to finish it Unpopular opinion: 99 Revolutions is my least favourite Trilogy song As am I. Compared to a piece of shit like Baby Eyes?! HOW?!?!?!?!?!?! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sauli Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Like most songwriters Billie is far better when he's being a miserable git. So we've only got ourselves to blame for making AI and 21CB so popular. Nah, not necessarily miserable, but it is no secret that good art needs some kind of conflict. Some kind of drive to do it. It is sad but you rarely can come up with a masterpiece when you are being absolutely content. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermione Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Not sure how anyone thinks Billie was absolutely content while making the Trilogy.....remember the whole meltdown and rehab thing that happened before it even came out?! Holy shit I was not expecting to read that today. Guess you can return that International Superfan banner, o defender of everything Billie has ever shat out in his sleep. Well I still don't dislike it so it isn't that dramatic . It's just one of the least interesting songs and also is the least "Trilogyesque" song so that leaves it at the bottom of the pile. As am I. Compared to a piece of shit like Baby Eyes?! HOW?!?!?!?!?!?! A song containing the pun "Baby baby eyes, baby baby eye I was born to kill" can't be a piece of shit 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anaïs. Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Not sure how anyone thinks Billie was absolutely content while making the Trilogy.....remember the whole meltdown and rehab thing that happened before it even came out?! Well I still don't dislike it so it isn't that dramatic . It's just one of the least interesting songs and also is the least "Trilogyesque" song so that leaves it at the bottom of the pile. A song containing the pun "Baby baby eyes, baby baby eye I was born to kill" can't be a piece of shit Before it came out, but after making it. On the contrary, anything not Trilogyesque is good. Oh yes it can. Billie used to be great at clever wordplay; now he's just desperately reaching for stuff that's at best an amusingly bad pun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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