Revolution Radio

[Thatsername]

2 minutes ago, StuckWithDom said:

my thoughts on Revolution Radio:
"I love you is not enough, I'm lost for words"

Hey, you stole my thought! (see my posting above yours) But honestly, this is really the ONLY thought that can come to mind after listening to this...

[SuperXCsabre495]

Just realized after listening through a few times, I wish Mike had a lead part at one point on the album! Still really great record, glad to see the guys can put out great music again.

[The President Gasman]

Hey guys, I'm new here on GDC! Just wanted to share my thoughts on RevRad, having finally listened to it all for the first time. I was one of those people who managed to hold off listening to the album until I got my download code this morning (apart from the singles).

Overall thoughts: this album is fucking genius. Such a pure reflection of the times we live in. I love the idea of a kind of 'everyday revolution' - that somehow there is something worth living for in the little, everyday things. Even if we have no idea what's going on, feel like we have no control over anything, no solutions - just finding the strength to live in this world and appreciate what we do have is a 'revolution' in itself.

That's how I interpreted the album overall. I actually think 'Revolution Radio' is a really clever title because it's sort of ironic - the idea that there could be a revolution broadcasted on popular media. I hear this irony in the title track, especially in the line 'we will be seen but not be heard'. It makes me think of all the political stuff people post on social media. Yes, you'll be seen by your immediate network, but what you express online is unlikely to make any significant difference, and most people will just scroll past without actually 'hearing' what you're saying. This idea also comes across in Troubled Times: 'Where's the truth in the written word if no one reads it?'. And Bang Bang documents a mass shooter who commits an atrocity to broadcast on social media, in a twisted attempt to get some kind of fame/make some kind of 'difference' in a fucked up world.

On face value, some of the messages of these songs can seem quite limp or even pessimistic. 'We live in troubled times' sounds like some old guy sitting in his armchair and moaning about the news on TV. Outlaws and Too Dumb to Die are nostalgic and wistful. 'Say Goodbye' explains itself in many ways. But the powerful thing about this album is that it still finds hope and value in these mundane, everyday acts. In songs like Somewhere/Forever Now, Still Breathing and Ordinary World, I hear someone who still finds something to hold onto despite everything.

I LOVE the cover art, because it expresses all this really well. The image of a radio burning in the dark really reflects the idea of speaking your truth, and living your life fully and passionately, even if ultimately the wider impact you make is minimal and other people struggle to truly 'hear' you. A bit like the 'One light, one mind...' line from Minority. It's iconic and powerful. And not having the band name/title on the cover is awesome, for the same reasons - it's just the music talking, nothing else. It's saying that it doesn't matter that it is 'Green Day' saying all this. Take away all the preconceptions and just find your truth.

I've always liked albums where the volume of the vocals is toned down to the same level as the instruments, because it kind of gives the music more depth. I think that might be partly why the album has grown on so many people, because the more you listen the more the music reveals. The voice becomes another instrument in an eclectic piece of music.        

I sound like I'm massive fangirling over this album, haha  But it really struck a chord with me, so I guess that's what I am! Hope everyone else is enjoying RevRad release day

[Purplebenny93]

Revolution Radio.. 

a very hard album to get comprehensive thoughts of.. on first listen(admittedly at midnight last night) I was left kinda meh.. that barring 'forever now' the singles were by far the best tracks on the album..

 

on second listen though, mother of Christ is it good.. not a big fan of troubled time, but Say Goodbye and YoungBlood are up there with some of the best things this band has done.. 

ordinary world and outlaws are wonderful lyrically aswell..

 

to anyone yet to listen.. don't go on first impressions.. give it time, it needs a few listens, but it's a damn grower!

[Dakke]

16 minutes ago, The President Gasman said:

Hey guys, I'm new here on GDC! Just wanted to share my thoughts on RevRad, having finally listened to it all for the first time. I was one of those people who managed to hold off listening to the album until I got my download code this morning (apart from the singles).

Overall thoughts: this album is fucking genius. Such a pure reflection of the times we live in. I love the idea of a kind of 'everyday revolution' - that somehow there is something worth living for in the little, everyday things. Even if we have no idea what's going on, feel like we have no control over anything, no solutions - just finding the strength to live in this world and appreciate what we do have is a 'revolution' in itself.

That's how I interpreted the album overall. I actually think 'Revolution Radio' is a really clever title because it's sort of ironic - the idea that there could be a revolution broadcasted on popular media. I hear this irony in the title track, especially in the line 'we will be seen but not be heard'. It makes me think of all the political stuff people post on social media. Yes, you'll be seen by your immediate network, but what you express online is unlikely to make any significant difference, and most people will just scroll past without actually 'hearing' what you're saying. This idea also comes across in Troubled Times: 'Where's the truth in the written word if no one reads it?'. And Bang Bang documents a mass shooter who commits an atrocity to broadcast on social media, in a twisted attempt to get some kind of fame/make some kind of 'difference' in a fucked up world.

On face value, some of the messages of these songs can seem quite limp or even pessimistic. 'We live in troubled times' sounds like some old guy sitting in his armchair and moaning about the news on TV. Outlaws and Too Dumb to Die are nostalgic and wistful. 'Say Goodbye' explains itself in many ways. But the powerful thing about this album is that it still finds hope and value in these mundane, everyday acts. In songs like Somewhere/Forever Now, Still Breathing and Ordinary World, I hear someone who still finds something to hold onto despite everything.

I LOVE the cover art, because it expresses all this really well. The image of a radio burning in the dark really reflects the idea of speaking your truth, and living your life fully and passionately, even if ultimately the wider impact you make is minimal and other people struggle to truly 'hear' you. A bit like the 'One light, one mind...' line from Minority. It's iconic and powerful. And not having the band name/title on the cover is awesome, for the same reasons - it's just the music talking, nothing else. It's saying that it doesn't matter that it is 'Green Day' saying all this. Take away all the preconceptions and just find your truth.

I've always liked albums where the volume of the vocals is toned down to the same level as the instruments, because it kind of gives the music more depth. I think that might be partly why the album has grown on so many people, because the more you listen the more the music reveals. The voice becomes another instrument in an eclectic piece of music.        

I sound like I'm massive fangirling over this album, haha  But it really struck a chord with me, so I guess that's what I am! Hope everyone else is enjoying RevRad release day

Your review is spot on. This album somehow succeeded in capturing all the emotions and thoughts I've had and pondered about during this cataclysm of a year, from the tear-jerking bridge of Still Breathing over the 'Live Out Loud!' mentality of Bouncing off the Wall to the epic finale of Forever Now. The deceptive simplicity of some lyrics actually conceal the depth of their content, unlike the Trilogy which was just shallow and something I couldn't connect to. Instead of remaking Dookie or attempting to revive the rock opera concept, they wrote and recorded an album that bears the scars of the present and is a catharsis to their and our recent struggles. It's definitely a grower, but once you're into the lyrics, it's one fucking brilliant record with a couple of classics and greatest hits (Bang Bang, Say Goodbye, Forever Now).

[manuelps]

So many new posts, has anyone posted this here yet? 

 

[Dakke]

http://www.greendaycommunity.org/topic/100026-young-blood-official-lyric-video/

 

[manuelps]

Just now, Dakke said:

http://www.greendaycommunity.org/topic/100026-young-blood-official-lyric-video/

 

That page doesn't exist to me

[Dakke]

Just now, manuelps said:

That page doesn't exist to me

I see. Apparently the video is not publicly available. It is a pretty great lyric video (all are, but this one is their best yet) and it really matches Youngblood well.

[StuckWithDom]

42 minutes ago, MMwhatsername said:

Hey, you stole my thought! (see my posting above yours) But honestly, this is really the ONLY thought that can come to mind after listening to this...

Wow! I actually didn't see that, but nice to know that great minds think alike 

[Dakke]

The way Billie sings "Oh lord have mercy on my soul" grips me everytime.

[Platypus2000]

Payday and album release day go hand in hand pretty nicely hahaha

[StuckWithDom]

In the lyric booklet it says that trumpet is played by Ron Blake on Bouncing Off the Wall. 

Can anyone else not hear that at all?

[Dakke]

Just now, StuckWithDom said:

In the lyric booklet it says that trumpet is played by Ron Blake on Bouncing Off the Wall. 

Can anyone else not hear that at all?

I think it's somewhere around the one minute mark, but it's very drown out by the guitars.

[Platypus2000]

Can't un-hear "ferret dies burning" in Troubled Times

[Dakke]

1 minute ago, Platypus2000 said:

Can't un-hear "ferret dies burning" in Troubled Times

It's the 'Know your anime' of RevRad

[Platypus2000]

4 minutes ago, Dakke said:

It's the 'Know your anime' of RevRad

I hadn't heard of that one until now! Ffs ahahaha

[Dakke]

Just now, Platypus2000 said:

I hadn't heard of that one until now! Ffs ahahaha

Can't unhear that.

[PurpleIron1039]

What really intrigues me about this album (I'm listening to it right now in school because I have a free period) is that it doesn't have a pop punk sound, at least in my opinion. It sounds very classic rock-influenced in many parts. Quite poppy in some parts, but not in the vein of pop punk. I really like it so far.

[Heather.]

Sorry if I missed this.  Did anyone else get the digital album via email that they pre-ordered, and the download link doesn't work?

[Dakke]

1 minute ago, PurpleIron1039 said:

What really intrigues me about this album (I'm listening to it right now in school because I have a free period) is that it doesn't have a pop punk sound, at least in my opinion. It sounds very classic rock-influenced in many parts. I really like it so far.

Indeed. Still Breathing and Youngblood are poppish, but most other songs are rock in myriad ways. Particularly Forever Now just screams '70s rock opera.

[PurpleIron1039]

4 minutes ago, Dakke said:

Indeed. Still Breathing and Youngblood are poppish, but most other songs are rock in myriad ways. Particularly Forever Now just screams '70s rock opera.

Agree, especially about "Forever Now". It reminds me of a "A Quick One" by The Who.

[Dakke]

Just now, PurpleIron1039 said:

Agree, especially about "Forever Now". It reminds me of a "A Quick One" by The Who.

Yeah, particularly the multi-vocal "I ain't gonna stand in line no more" part is very much like the "You're forgiven" part of A Quick One.

[stories and songs]

Listening to this album for the first time in a week (and "officially" for the first time), and I'm just so blown away. This is the kind of album that just sounds EXACTLY the way it should, based on their career, personal lives, their body of work, and the sounds they've been trying out over the last 15 years. 

[The President Gasman]

1 hour ago, Dakke said:

Your review is spot on. This album somehow succeeded in capturing all the emotions and thoughts I've had and pondered about during this cataclysm of a year, from the tear-jerking bridge of Still Breathing over the 'Live Out Loud!' mentality of Bouncing off the Wall to the epic finale of Forever Now. The deceptive simplicity of some lyrics actually conceal the depth of their content, unlike the Trilogy which was just shallow and something I couldn't connect to. Instead of remaking Dookie or attempting to revive the rock opera concept, they wrote and recorded an album that bears the scars of the present and is a catharsis to their and our recent struggles. It's definitely a grower, but once you're into the lyrics, it's one fucking brilliant record with a couple of classics and greatest hits (Bang Bang, Say Goodbye, Forever Now).

Yes exactly! So many of the lyrics are deceptively simple, and I totally agree with your comparison with the Trilogy. After those albums RevRad feels like finally drawing breath and taking stock of what's happening in the world. I also happen to agree with the standout tracks you've mentioned - they definitely feel like classics.