03 - Revolution Radio

[Dakke]

1 hour ago, Second favourite son said:

Green Day can't change what music charts on the hot 100.  They have 3 options:

• Admit they'll never chart well and give up trying - commercial & career suicide
• 'Sell out' - compromise their musical desires for success, become an EDM band who hold guitars they rarely play or something
• Actually outdo the competition.  Release some fucking awesome songs which people buy because, well, they're awesome.  Revolution Radio and Bang Bang have been big steps in the right direction post-trilogy, hopefully the rest of the album contains more of the same and some better

I'd pick number 3, I hope they do too.

I think we must just manage our expectations regarding 3. Yes, they have been in this place before with Warning and the faltering commercial success in the early 2000s before they released a kickass comeback album. However, I think they were actually in a far worse position in 2012 (see the latest RS interview) than post-Warning, with mixed critical reviews (Warning was at least mostly positively received) and basically no commercial exposure post iHeart, relegating Dos! and Tre! to the lowest parts of the charts upon their release and Billie's rehab causing the cancellation of the whole fall and winter leg of the 99Rev tour. Yet they rebounded, defeated their demons on the road back from hell and took a well-deserved break. Now, in 2016, they're back and they are releasing #1 singles for the first time in seven years. No, RevRad won't be another AI. 21CB wasn't. If you expect that, you'll come home empty-handed the 7th. Instead RevRad will be a logical evolution of the 21CB-era sound, a synthesis of the lessons they've learned and the experiences and predicaments they've endured over the past seven years, rooted in the madness that is the year 2016, striving to transcend the polarisation and division which has ruled the world and this fandom for all those years. If they succeed in bringing people, us fans, together again, with a solid record that is characteristically Green Day, then I dare to say they've done a damn good job.

[Z J]

1 minute ago, Second favourite son said:

Green Day can't change what music charts on the hot 100.  They have 3 options:

• Admit they'll never chart well and give up trying - commercial & career suicide
• 'Sell out' - compromise their musical desires for success, become an EDM band who hold guitars they rarely play or something
• Actually outdo the competition.  Release some fucking awesome songs which people buy because, well, they're awesome.  Revolution Radio and Bang Bang have been big steps in the right direction post-trilogy, hopefully the rest of the album contains more of the same and some better

I'd pick number 3, I hope they do too.

Yeah exactly. And given Billie's melodic ability, I'd bet a catchy House tune is something they could knock out of the park . Music you can dance to, that's the key to climbing the charts now. The album is self-produced, so whatever they do, the sound will be authentic to them, which is nice. 

[TimmyChunks]

4 hours ago, crock6000 said:

Although you and I understand each other now, I figured I would weigh in for people that aren't quite as initiated when it comes to the charts and what they mean/how their collected etc.

The Mainstream Rock Charts take into consideration mainly radio air play (including Internet Radio (I.e. Pandora), essentially what is called "First Exposition". Analogy: If you made a block buster 150 million movie, first expo is going to be major theatrical. 2nd expo would be DVD. If you're making an indie for 3 million instead of 150, your first expo might be Film Festivals and if you're damn lucky, you might land a theatrical release. Some independents are 30 million starring Brad Bitt or something and while it's understood this will eventually make it to theatrical while most first run non theatricals don't make it to main theatrical expo. These all have contractual differences from everything to how residuals are paid to whatever. If you think of the charts in this regard, Mainstream Rock Charts are how the radio stations are treating the song before some of the other charts start to make a showing.

Oh Love was coming off the heels of all the pulcity of I heart radio meltdown, subsequent tour cancellation and all the publicized rehab and everyone curious and actually charted quite well on the more impressioned things like streaming sites like Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, SoundCloud, etc.

Mainstream charts are sort of the Billboard 100 of the new era (for Rock music). RNB almost exclusively chart the modern Billboard 100 which is the chart of charts. 

Also the Mainstream Billboard charts merged with the heritage and active (meaning classic and contemporary) charts and made them a single chart making them even more relevant. So whatever the description (classic or contemporary) of the station is, it includes both.

So what it means in a nutshell is that the Bang Bang has got more radio play since its release than any song in Greed Day history until this point of release (a very important distinction) as some GD songs remained there for a while.

This chart is indicative of the other charts and that Bang Bang will be there. Any song that makes it to a lot of radio play, eventually gets to the charts that take into consideration more impressioned objectives such as streaming and the like. One is indicative of the likelihood of the other's success.

I hope this helps some understand that a little.

Also, the part as to which chart you want to assign the more power to, is up to you I guess. 

Green Day, as I said, charted the first song (KYE) when the Top Rock Songs chart debuted and the Mainstream Rock charts has been around since the 50s.

To give you perspective, the #1 song getting radio play in rock stations across America right now is Bang Bang but it's is #22 on the Billboard streaming charts.

I would suggest you guys go to Billboard and have a look at the Green Day only charts and look through them.

Green Day has had zero Top 100 charts but a #2 in "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" at #2, next closest was WMUWSE, #6, and Holiday #16 but again, rock has become a non-factor on the BB 100.

Hope this cleared some confusion up if there was any or if anyone gives a flying fuck.

Have a look. Change the chart with the drop down menu on the upper left:

http://www.billboard.com/artist/303108/green-day/chart

 

EDIT: I should also say that it's quite possible that either or both of these songs are showing up on the MS BB Charts because the tour is right around the corner and many of them are "Presented by KROQ" for example and they have give aways and stuff and they want people to listen to their stations so they play more.  It's a win-win as with all music, the trick is repetition. I know it sounds insane but it's been studied that it takes 3-5 listens all the way through before it sinks into the listener's brain and making it easier to like. The repetition on the air is traditionally desired by artist, management, and label more than others as it's indicative of what's to come, although not a guarantee.  But it almost is. You would be hard pressed to find a song that gets a ton of airplay and not get the impressions in the new music media and it has been a few years since even the Trill and certainly since AI and TCB. The landscape has changed but it's still generally true that radio play means success at the sites, tours and stores as they say.  Either way, I know GD as well as most or any and I can tell that this is going to be an EPIC, memorable tour. I feel the boys know that they are going into their years of lesser mobility although I hold on hope when I watch the likes of Steven Tyler, Slash and even McCartney rocking out at anywhere from Slash at 51 to Macca at like 71.

What a beautifully coherent, well structured, and intelligent post. You presented a ton of logic and information and coupled this with a citing link. I can't like your post enough. If this were an essay or thesis I would give you an A+ and move you straight to the top of the class. Well done!

Also, I hate to post about the actual song given all the other interesting discussion (sarcasm fully in effect)...but this song is a ripper. I love Bang Bang, but this one has crept past it in my opinion. There's so much to love...and the chorus might be the highlight. The mix is awesome- it's one of the most powerfully hair-raising choruses I've heard from any band, period. There's something new about the mix in both these songs (I know they are using Scheps now instead of CLA) that I love. The echo/ reverb during "headlines" and then the vocal mix effect during "my love" in the chorus is perfect- any more overdone and it would sound too artificial, but whatever he did just rubs me the right way. I am sure I'll get ripped apart for this as some probably find the vocals overproduced, but I think it's fantastic.

[UNICORN VOMIT]

Melodic anthem - BJ was right - Ive been singing this all day.

[Z J]

6 hours ago, crock6000 said:

You guys get too emotional about the band when discussing things. I should have never posted again. I tried to make it black and white.

 

Hey, no problems from me, I actually enjoyed your post.  I just think the rock charts right now are too easy for Green Day. They can and should pat themselves on the back because they're making art that they're proud of and that will resonate with people, regardless of what we or the numbers say. That's cool. But I still believe there's an ambition there to prove that they can own the mainstream without compromising who they are, and I would love to see them do it as they have in the past. 

2 hours ago, TimmyChunks said:

 

Also, I hate to post about the actual song given all the other interesting discussion (sarcasm fully in effect)...but this song is a ripper. I love Bang Bang, but this one has crept past it in my opinion. There's so much to love...and the chorus might be the highlight. 

Hey, some people find the topic interesting  I don't understand why a little back and forth is so personal for people. 

And I agree about the song, it may be because of the relative newness of Revolution Radio, but there's just something about this chorus that is just getting me right now. Maybe it'll wear off eventually, but that melody is wild. 

[Steven Seagull]

The song reminds me more and more of a Rusty James and 99 revolutions mix. I love it.

[solongfromthestars]

Sorry if this has been asked before, been travelling and working and haven't had much time for the internet  

Were we supposed to get a download of this song if we preordered the album? If so I haven't had it and I'm wondering whether to just pay the 99p to buy it on iTunes so I have a better quality version.

[Second favourite son]

3 minutes ago, Maria Gloria said:

Sorry if this has been asked before, been travelling and working and haven't had time for the internet  

Were we supposed to get a download of this song if we preordered the album? If so I haven't had it and I'm wondering whether to just pay the 99p to buy it on iTunes so I have a better quality version.

Pretty sure we are supposed to get it (I know for sure that the US and Australia have it).  I've not got anything yet, don't think most other Europeans have.  I'll be contacting europe store support about it in the next half hour or so.

[UNICORN VOMIT]

27 minutes ago, Second favourite son said:

Pretty sure we are supposed to get it (I know for sure that the US and Australia have it).  I've not got anything yet, don't think most other Europeans have.  I'll be contacting europe store support about it in the next half hour or so.

I'm thinking about contacting them even though we got it late yesterday.  I feel like I'm going to get a physical copy of the album before a download - how can an instant download take so long. 

[Second favourite son]

46 minutes ago, Tinkle said:

I'm thinking about contacting them even though we got it late yesterday.  I feel like I'm going to get a physical copy of the album before a download - how can an instant download take so long. 

It surely isn't that hard to set up an automatic, timed mass-email.  Especially for a massive multinational company like Warner.

[Beerjeezus]

Just now, Second favourite son said:

It surely isn't that hard to set up an automatic, timed mass-email.  Especially for a massive multinational company like Warner.

One would think so  

[manuelps]

I contacted them and their answer was "The album comes out October 7th" I mean wtf Warner... I sent another ticket since then, no answer

[Second favourite son]

8 minutes ago, manuelps said:

I contacted them and their answer was "The album comes out October 7th" I mean wtf Warner... I sent another ticket since then, no answer

In my message I specified at least 3 times that it was the song I was waiting for so they couldn't use that excuse.  Still waiting for a response.

[manuelps]

Just now, Second favourite son said:

In my message I specified at least 3 times that it was the song I was waiting for so they couldn't use that excuse.  Still waiting for a response.

Yeah, I said a couple of times it was the digital single too... their European store is so messy

[Bastard of 1967]

23 hours ago, crock6000 said:

years of lesser mobility

Just say it, Adam -- we're all getting fucking OLD. 

20 hours ago, Z J said:

Yeah exactly. And given Billie's melodic ability, I'd bet a catchy House tune is something they could knock out of the park . Music you can dance to, that's the key to climbing the charts now. The album is self-produced, so whatever they do, the sound will be authentic to them, which is nice. 

Getting the corporate suits out of the damn studio (yep, that's you Mr. Cavallo) and letting Green Day just be themselves seems like it was at least one key to the fresh and potent energy they've put into Bang Bang and RevRad.  They sound like a rock band that's 20 years younger than they actually are, but with all the experience and polish that an HoF legacy band (God I hate that term) can bring.

What's important is that unlike 2012, they've brought the best they can to this release and it shows from song quality to single choices to production to promotion.  I can't criticize any of what they're doing to move this album.  If it sells millions, great.  If it doesn't, you cannot -- cannot -- fault the band, the music, or the process this time.  As for the charts? I don't much care what the charts say, as I don't need some damn chart to tell me the difference between kick-ass rock'n'roll and mindless crap.  My ears handle that job just fine, thank ye!

[Z J]

54 minutes ago, Bastard of 1967 said:

 As for the charts? I don't much care what the charts say, as I don't need some damn chart to tell me the difference between kick-ass rock'n'roll and mindless crap.  My ears handle that job just fine, thank ye!

I find it very amusing sometimes how grumpy rock fans are with their music tastes sometimes  

 

As for Green Day's success on the charts this cycle, I only hope for it because if there is one rock band capable, it's them. They ruled the radio and music scene with pop punk (Dookie) at a time when popular rock music was the antithesis of poppy. They sported hair-dye, eye-liner, and came back from the lowest point of their careers (commercially) to produce Grammy winning punk rock opera. What they did in those two moments was transcend the strict definition of a rock band, they rose above it and captured the mainstream, and they're in the Hall of Fame because of it. This time is harder then ever given the current trends in top 40 music, but if anyone could do it...

[Eric]

8 minutes ago, Z J said:

I find it very amusing sometimes how grumpy rock fans are with their music tastes sometimes  

 

Very grumpy  

[LisaBJA]

love the song....hmmm not sure if i can say that i prefer bang bang....yeah i guess so...but revolution radio is amazing too!!!

 

cant wait tohear the rest of the album and especially live!!!!!

[TimmyChunks]

4 hours ago, LisaBJA said:

love the song....hmmm not sure if i can say that i prefer bang bang....yeah i guess so...but revolution radio is amazing too!!!

 

cant wait tohear the rest of the album and especially live!!!!!

It's a struggle, isn't it? I love BB, but the more I listen to RR, the more I am starting to get "single choice remorse". Not like it matters at all in the grand scheme of things, but the immediate awesomeness of RR is undeniable. I wonder if this would have been an AI type splashy single to lead off with- the chorus is one of their best (yep, I may have a bit of "newness" bias, but the immediate impression has been incredible), and the whole song is so punchy, tight, and so single-worthy while still sounding organic, relevant, and passionate. It reminds me of a new American Idiot type single- it's to the point and not overly developed, but super exciting and a clear standout with one of the band's best anthem-type choruses. BB was a good lead single and I'm sure it will continue to do well, but I don't think it has the immediacy of RR. I hope RR has its own proper rollout as a single in due time.

Then again, there's another 9 songs on the album that we haven't heard, which is incredibly exciting- I'm sure there are a at least few spins in there that will be single worthy themselves. And then there's Ordinary World- should be exciting to hear what the studio cut sounds like.

 

 

[Alan86]

On 13 September 2016 at 0:59 PM, manuelps said:

Yeah, I said a couple of times it was the digital single too... their European store is so messy

It's terrible. I gave up and just downloaded it illegally. I had no other option but to steal something that I have paid for 

[manuelps]

They just answered my ticket with this: "We are currently looking into this for you and we will update you as soon as possible."

 

THERE'S NOTHING TO LOOK AT, YOU JUST FORGOT TO PUT THE GOD DAMN DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE

 

sorry for the rant

[grene cniht]

Does anyone else think they mistakenly switched "scream" and "sing" in the lyric video? I definitely hear "sing" the first time and "scream" the second one.

[Stefano Bras]

I'm all for the debates and people having different opinions.

But I always struggle to respect someone disliking something I like when the reasons they give for disliking the song/album are so unconvincing and forced.

It's almost like they were trying too hard on finding something to dislike just for the sake of doing so.

[alienlifeform]

11 minutes ago, Master Roshi said:

Does anyone else think they mistakenly switched "scream" and "sing" in the lyric video? I definitely hear "sing" the first time and "scream" the second one.

I think the first one is in fact 'STAY with your hand up in the sky' and the second one is 'SCREAM'

[Eric]

10 minutes ago, Stefano Bras said:

I'm all for the debates and people having different opinions.

But I always struggle to respect someone disliking something I like when the reasons they give for disliking the song/album are so unconvincing and forced.

It's almost like they were trying too hard on finding something to dislike just for the sake of doing so.

Been that way since the UNO DOS TRE hate first started, Kinda hard to take it serious when one of the "badasses" said Since we like the trilogy, our opinions musically didnt matter.