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1. Vocals I agree on, but the wall of sound guitar is part of what makes the album, really—the eight guitars in RHS are hugely responsible for its success—and the bass and drums were also buried on AI, so it's not a new thing. 2. I'd have to know what lyrics you consider too "tryhard", but compared to what we got later even KYE is a step up. 3. I firmly believe the length is needed. 21CB is an ambitious, epic, sprawling album. Condensing it to ten or twelve songs just wouldn't have worked. It needs space to breathe, and the tracks that are perceived as filler, like it or not, are essential to its construction.

Yeah, that's basically what I meant. Although I don't personally have a problem with listening to it recorded, I can see why some people might prefer it to be live-only. I'd gladly sacrifice Fuck Time's studio version in exchange for a recorded version of Cigarettes and Valentines any day.

It would've been a standout on any of the albums, for sure. Not saying C&V is necessarily a masterpiece, but it's significantly better than most trilogy songs.

I put Dirty Rotten Bastards on in the car the other day and my dad asked if it was a Christmas song.

I can admit when something didn't work lol

Only thing different about AI is had longer songs that's it... It wasn't different And also imo 21st is better

I have three problems with 21CB: 1.) Production. Vocals sound like they are glossed over and shot through a tin can. Drums and bass are covered in guitar onslaught. 2.) Lyrics. A bit too tryhard, although most songs are lyrically powerful. I get why people see the lyrics as cheesy at times. 3.) Length. Could have been trimmed for filler. Overall, it's a good album, but it just doesn't sound like typical Green Day. AI was different, but still had the Green Day vibe. I think you need to forget your assumptions of what GD sounds like to really enjoy 21CB.

I've never eaten it bet it must be Christmacious. It seems that a part of Czech press dislikes Green Day because of the leftism in lyrics. It's sort of understandable - nobody liked communism, but ridiculous at the same time because they're far from extremism and don't support dictatorships. In fact, these are pretty common libaral opinions. I'd like to know, if it's the same in other post-communist countries. In English-speaking world it doesn't seem to be a thing at all.

He was very good on AI, but on 21 sb he actually enunciates the words. HE seems to make more of an effort at a real vocal performance instead of just entertaining one. But, if you ar going to talk about his best vocal performance, nothing beats Foreverly.

I feel far more contented with his voice in AI. It's the voice that makes me love him the most.

Me too

I think 21sb was by far his best vocal performance.

Billie's voice in AI is outstandingly good compared to all the other albums imo.

'15 Albums You Won’t Believe Turn 20 In 2015' Green Day, 'Insomniac' Green Day essentially wrote the modern pop-punk playbook with 1994's 'Dookie,' so there were a ton of expectations on the follow-up. But instead of a blatant rehash, listeners in 1995 were greeted with 'Insomniac' -- a far darker, denser affair than its predecessor that leaned further on the spectrum toward punk than pop. There isn't a universe that exists in which the album's lead single, 'Geek Stink Breath,' can compare to 'Basket Case,' but 'Insomniac' remains the band's third-most successful album (behind 'Dookie' and 2004's 'American Idiot') and contains 'Brain Stew' -- easily one of their best, most adventurous cuts ever. http://diffuser.fm/albums-that-turn-20-in-2015/?fblw&trackback=tsmclip

All the great works in history: the Mona Lisa, Hamlet, Citizen Kane, DOS,...

Man, why did I waste my time reading 10 pages of another poorly constructed trilogy debate? My only input on the only points I remember reading that are worth addressing: • Having a Blast probably wasn't a big deal at the time of its release because the world wasn't so sensitive about its topics. Post-9/11, people tend to get much more offended by those types of expressions and tend to over-censor everything, as to not offend. Not saying it's right or wrong, it's just a fact about U.S. culture now. • Dirty Rotten Bastards is basically terrible. Just because something tries to be epic doesn't mean it succeeds. In fact, trying almost ensures failure and a try-hard vibe. • Haushinka is fucking brilliant, and I agree with Graham — that bridge might be one of my favorite moments in a Green Day song ever. Again, it didn't try to be epic... it just subtly succeeds. • Pulling Teeth is also great and highly underrated. Along with Sassafras Roots. • Although Fuck Time is tons of fun, and I don't mind the recorded version too much, it did lose some of its magic when it became a Green Day song and it really isn't "deep" enough (no pun intended) to be over-analyzed. It's just a song about sex.

It does kind of capture the sentiments of spending days with relatives.

Fair enough When I listen to AI, the emotions I feel are personal and have nothing to do with political anger. Idk, maybe it's just me.

I'd say that just naming the album "American Idiot" is pretty damn political, more so than just having a couple of political songs. Also, those apostrophes.

Eh...although it questioned the politics of the time, American Idiot was more about the personal journey than political statements.

Both SWTRLF and Know Your Enemy work well live because they're up tempo and easy to shout along with. They add energy to the show. My friend and I were discussing last night Billie's voice on slow songs vs. his voice on the faster songs. And while we both agreed that his voice was supremely underrated when singing without his snarl, we felt that GD's (and Billie's) strength is in bringing a certain energy to their music. With Dookie it was a jaded confusion that was upbeat and grabbed your attention. Insomniac was a middle finger to the world. American Idiot was a middle finger to America. And so on. Whatever the message, it was delivered through this usually upbeat rhythm and Billie's signature snarls. Obviously when they slow it down GD can do some wonderful things. But think about songs like WMUWSE or Boulevard of Broken Dreams, they start slow but the tempo builds with the emotion to culminate in this explosion of energy. It really comes through live.

On a side note, I love that after we were hit in the crotch by the Trilogy all complaints about KYE just vanished. We didn't know how good we had it back when that was their only bad song.

Relating to the "Haushinka" convo a few lines back, in addition to its being one of their best songs for drums it's also one of their best for guitar, vocal harmonies and all-around emotion. The bridge is my favorite moment of any Green Day song ever. Bar none.

Listening to people defend Dos is almost as boring as actually listening to the album

i have to act like a mod sometimes. they're starting to get suspicious

But seriously, what's the random "Hello" for in "Wild One"

What's wrong with Venus? I honestly can't understand. Also, it's not Billie's fault if you're too lazy to visit google.com and type "drinking the kool-aid meaning" in. At least that's what I did, and I've never had such a big problem with that line.

AI and Insomniac are pure gold. And I think 21CB has some of the best lyrics I've ever heard (See signature). Then there are good lyrics scattered through the rest of their catalog, some Billie could have accidentally backed in to but there is just too much evidence of him being a great lyricist

Nope they suck ass.

I've never seen someone say that.

I think they had their hearts in the right place, but not thier ears.

You're trash.

Unpopular one : Pulling Teeth is one of the best Green Day songs!

^ Billie can be a stage dancer while the rest of the band plays. I'm OK with this.

I just like his cool, understated nature. He seems to be happy to stay in the background a little and let everyone else fuss. I guess I like that cos I'm a bit like that. But I think White deserves a bit more of the limelight, which is why he shouldn't be drowned out.

Amy Nightlife Wow! That's Loud Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes Baby Eyes

iPad cover featuring art by the members of Green Day. They were only $1, so I bought ten of them!

Good that we can rant about our Green Day thoughts here! I love watching random videos of Waiting being played live. And sometimes, I just go on watching interviews and biographical documentaries. (Reads: MTV Driven) They just inspire me to no end.

It only really struck me yesterday how incredible the lyrics of Jesus Of Suburbia are. Obviously loads of people love the "home is where the heart is" line, but every single verse speaks to me on some level. For a song with so many lines to be so consistently great lyrically is just mindblowing. There's just so much that seems to get overlooked due to its length. Plus the craftsmanship in putting so many "soundbite" type lines together and making it not seem over the top is admirable.

Yeah what a great album. I still remember the day I got the CD. I really wish they played No Pride live more, I just listened to that one a few times recently and I think its one of their best songs overall

"Broken glass inside my head, bleeding down these thoughts of anguish... Mass confusion." Insomniac, in my opinion, is the absolute best Green Day record. Reason being, is how dark and heavy the album is as a whole. From the artwork, to the lyrics, and most importantly their sound. This album is similar to Nirvana's In Utero, or Weezer's Pinkerton. After the release of their breakthrough record, the bands are suddenly propelled into the spotlight. A sense of anger and depression are present on all these albums. Not only was Insomniac much more angry and agressive, but so were the members of Green Day. In just about every interview I've seen from the insomniac Era they seem to be a lot more serious and a lot more agressive toward the interviewer. My favorite songs off the album would have to be Panic Song, Westbound Sign, and Stuart and the Ave. I can listen to this album back to back anytime and never get tired of it.

id say no pride is the most underrated song ever... even here nobody seems to mention it. it is easy part of my top 10 green day songs. great music, great lyrics.... top three of this albums: 1st: No pride 2nd: Stuck with me 3rd: Westbound Signs/ Stuar and the Ave.

Insomniac has been my favorite album since 1995!

"Insomniac" was the first GD album that I bought.. well I used to listen to songs like Minority, Jesus Of Suburbia, Going to Pasalaqua, so the first listen left me confused and a bit disappointed.It was so fast, and angry and rawer than all the GD songs that I've listened to.. but It grew on me with the years, and then I was able to relate with the lyrics, life experience after life experience, when the days are not so bright like they used to be at 15 years old.And now I can proudly say that It's one of my favourite.

'I've got a knack for fucking everything up' - best first line ever

My favourite one too. Westbound Sign is my favourite Green Day song & Armatage Shanks is sure in my top 10.

The first 4 songs of Insomniac kick so much ass. One of the best "intros" to a Green Day record.