We won't get a quality Green Day album until they lose popularity.

[nick.]

Anyone else agree that a quality Green Day album will only arrive when the guys have nothing to lose? I was thinking about the "best" Green Day albums in my opinion and what made them so great. I can't help but think that what made Dookie so angsty and punk was partly that it wasn't written to appease a fan base. Same with American Idiot, I've seen in interviews where the band reacts with surprise at the success that later came from these albums. I wasn't satisfied fully with RevRad, something was missing for me. And I wonder if we'll get a solid, epic album with the track that Green Day is on now.

[Spike]

They lost popularity during the Trilogy era but RevRad is pretty damn good. I'm not sure if I agree with your point though, because Warning is easily in their top 3 for me and it almost finished them off if the rumours are to be believed. If anything, they had nothing to lose after American Idiot because of how well it did. They have far more to lose when they put out an album that bombs and have to follow it up with something huge, and they always do.

[Eric]

Revolution Radio was pretty good, sorry to hear that it didn't meet your expectations, Feels like it's a tough fan base to please after American idiot :/ 

[letsdanceon]

I also don't think RR lacks in quality (nor do I see them becoming "less popular" any time soon)

sounds like a completely subjective opinion that it somehow isn't a quality release from them.

[MaraGreenDay]

[21guns&novacaine]

In my opinion, it's when they're not trying to pull elements from other albums that they're at their best. They were terrified of releasing American Idiot because of how different it was, plus the heavy political essence it had, on top of all the political stuff around the world then already and look now, it's easily their most iconic album. And to answer your question, probably, to some extent. After Warning came out, followed up by International Superhits and Shenanigans, they weren't really gaining fans, but maintaining the steady stream of loyal fans they'd had since the 90's. I feel like Cigarettes and Valentines would have ended up with the same vibe as their previous albums up until that point, and maybe they realized it, too, and were ready for a change, and were ready to reach out to larger crowds of people. That being said, I have a theory that Cigarettes and Valentines never really 'disappeared' but was physically destroyed by the band themselves.  Since they had no interest in recreating it. 

[Trotsky]

Green Day did lose popularity. Pretty much no one outside of the hardcore fanbase liked anything from the trilogy for more than a few days. American Idiot was a cultural icon, they still haven't risen back up to that level of fame and prestige. But I will say that Revolution Radio is actually good.

[letsdanceon]

1 minute ago, Trotsky said:

Green Day did lose popularity. Pretty much no one outside of the hardcore fanbase liked anything from the trilogy for more than a few days. American Idiot was a cultural icon, they still haven't risen back up to that level of fame and prestige. But I will say that Revolution Radio is actually good.

They're playing huge shows and just got inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame...I don't think they are doing too shabby. Putting out a monster album like AI doesn't mean they can (or should) retain the same amount of attention for the rest of their career

[That Dude]

They've all been quality albums over the years.  If they do ever kind of bottom out in popularity it could change what they are doing, but who knows how?  They could try and get back in the mainstream by making more pop-oriented stuff.   Or they could make super artsy fartsy albums and I'd be fine with either of those things.  But I think Green Day will keep making music as they have for the past 30 years, with a mix of it all.  I don't think it will change them at all.   

Revolution Radio was a milestone, at least in my opinion.  12 albums and they are still coming up with new and fresh ideas.  

It's fun to think about what the NEXT album will sound like.   I'm thinking the next album will be more introspective.  I'd like to see some really well fleshed out acoustic numbers.  Not necessarily slow, just maybe a country tinge.   

But the answer is - Green Day have stuck to their guns through good and bad times.  Their sound changes from album to album, but the one constant is their great music.   

ALBUM 13!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FallingFromTheStars]

I actually agree with this. I think they are already losing popularity. They've been on decline since the trilogy. Hopefully they can pull off another comeback a la American Idiot

[End Of The World]

In my opinion, RevRad has been a very well balanced album. Even after 50+ listens, it still deserves my top 5, but I was sure about it from the first listen.

If GD would have released that after the explosion of AI (instead of 21CB), RevRad would have been rocking all over the world, more than now, with two singles like Bang Bang and Still Breathing.

Same for 21CB, if it were released after the Trilogy, it would have been far less successful than in 2009, despite having a lead single like KYE and a hit like 21 Guns.

This means that GD quality has always been high and popularity/letdowns have never affected it. It's just that popularity goes and comes. GD are always at their best.

Just my opinion.

[Thatsername]

It is true that GD lost popularity, at least I can confirm this in my country. But on the other hand, when I go to their shows in arenas with 12,000 people going crazy, I'm always happy and confused at the same time, and I'm wondering where all those people are hiding the rest of the year And I think that a band who can still bring together thousands of people in one arena to celebrate life, and a band that can bring together crazy fans like you and me from all over the world in a place like GDC, then this band is still fucking relevant.

It's impossible to keep the level of popularity as high as it was when AI was released. A comeback like this is something that most bands never achieve in their career, so I think it's a bit harsh to expect Green Day to do it again like it was something that you just pull out of the hat. AI was the right record at exactly the right time and it hit the nerve of a whole generation, and that's it. The world is a lot more complicated and diverse these days, becoming the voice of a whole generation is almost impossible now (though I still think there's a chance that GD could do it again - never underestimate them, everything is possible with this band).

But to be honest, does GD really need to repeat the success of Dookie or AI? They have achieved everything and more, they are in the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame, they are living legends. And I think RevRad is such a high quality album because they made it without the pressure to live up to the highest expectations. This album is just them. I'm sorry if you can't feel this vibe, but I can feel it in every note and every line.

[Hermione]

They've already lost popularity and we've already got a quality album  

[Chin for a Day]

Green Day are no where near where they used to be popularity wise and they just gave us one of their best albums.  I'm good with the track they are heading on.  I feel that on Rev Rad they opened up more than they ever have, Billie wrote what he was feeling.  

[T.C]

Revrad was decent though 

[Matt3BJ]

I imagine the vast majority of their shows are still sold out and they seem firmly cemented as one of the top 2-3 bands of their generation and among the most commercially solid rock bands ever of all time. They and the Ramones are considered the top two influential punk bands of all time in my book and they even have sub-genre called pop-punk that many feel they invented and immortalized.  I realize Green Day is a polarizing band as many people consider it as something they used to like when they were younger but here we are, an army of diehard fans. With that said-their legacy will always be strong but I hardly care how many records are being sold, how many tickets are being sold-so long as the music is true to what they believe is maximum Green Day. I don't feel they have lost a step, but I am also among the few that really enjoyed the trilogy even. Green Day can do no wrong, I have always enjoyed their music immensely. But to say they are no longer popular is absurd in my opinion. I am sure I could be wrong though-not really sure how the albums are charting but it seems to me they are still able to easily sell out arenas and large venues at will. Some feel the well is drying up and that Green Day can rarely tap into it as much anymore but to me they are still chugging along with authority.  Anyway sorry for this rambling post-I enjoy any discussion further on this matter. While I enjoy when Green Day succeeds all that matters to me is not what is charting or selling but what it means to them first and formost followed by their fans who draw inspiration and greater understanding of life itself from their lyrics.  It is far too late here in San Diego, I am going to stop typing now. Take care everyone-have a great weeekend.

[Jesus of Seneca]

Yeah I can definitely confirm that - at least where I'm from - they're certainly not (as) popular anymore, not even to the alternative people. And in musical terms, I'd say they have nothing to lose.

[stories and songs]

They lost an awful lot with everything that happened around the Trilogy. It's almost hard to get distance from it because we were all part of it, but I'd characterize that as their lowest point. AI was hugely popular, 21CB was less popular and less critically acclaimed, but still well-liked. The Trilogy was them buckling under the weight of being unable to escape AI's shadow, and it showed both personally and in their work. 

RevRad is them with nothing to lose, and nothing to prove. Whatever soul-searching and regrouping they did between the Trilogy and RevRad shows in every single facet of who they are now. It's them talking to us about the things they care about—the issues in their own lives and their broader concerns for the world—without worrying about how it defines them. They're not trying to be anything but themselves anymore, maybe for the first time. It is so deeply honest, so personal, and so very Green Day. It bridges their old and new sounds, and adds something new to the mix as well.

So I agree that perhaps it takes them being at a low point to make something special. But I think that just happened.

[Billie Joes Eyelids]

2 hours ago, Jesus of Seneca said:

Yeah I can definitely confirm that - at least where I'm from - they're certainly not (as) popular anymore, not even to the alternative people. And in musical terms, I'd say they have nothing to lose.

"Popular" is such a general term. They are very popular and always will be. They're one of the most respected, referred-to, and listened-to bands in the industry. What they aren't right now is very relevant to the media and entertainment industry machine, which is powered by the very young. The Kardashians and Beiber are relevant to that but they're also widely hated and not well-respected. So I'm perfectly happy to have Green Day in the category of popular but not relevant to the shoebiz ridiculousness that is out there now

[Paola17]

Sure, they may not be as "popular" as they used to be, but one can't argue that they still are. I don't know how much people talked about Green Day (in terms of casual listeners) back when AI was released, but even so, as we on here tend to hound more on every/most aspects of the band and keep an eye out for how they're doing and all, many tend to see everything as less. While others are not actively talking about the band and their work, it doesn't mean they don't like them as much or have completely disregarded their recent work  

[platypus136]

I prefer albums like Kerplunk and Dookie, but RevRad is awesome, too. So fuck your opinion.
Green Day won´t loose popularity in just one day, and their music style is changing but somehow Green Day has always this `Green Day sound` which makes their music unique.

[jengd]

I agree with a lot that's been said on here.   I think their popularity is all part of the "rock is dead" debate and the fact that currently, the most popular music seems to be pop and, in my opinion, crap.   Just look at the mainstream charts, there isn't a decent song on there, it's all effects and lacks substance.  Don't even get me started on the Beibers and Sheerans of the world! For me, what's important is that Green Day are true to Green Day and if that means they aren't among the biggest sellers then so be it, to be otherwise would represent a horrible decline in the quality of their output.  I think they already have and will continue to have a real legacy they can be proud of.  This is a band that have always been on the alternative side of the spectrum and whats amazing is that not once but twice, they have crossed musical boundaries in a big way.  I sometimes think we long term fans lose sight of that.

[jengd]

1 minute ago, Jake69 said:

I don't understand this "all pop and rap is crap" attitude. There are so many great pop/rap songs out there with great lyrical content and as much emotion and genuineness as Green Day. Rappers like J Cole and Kendrick Lamar are incredible talented people and have beautiful lyrics. And honestly, they have way more meaningful lyrics than Green Day at some points. There is good pop/rap and bad pop/rap. There is good rock and bad rock. I just don't understand how people can think rock is the only acceptable form of music. 

Not saying everything bar rock is bad,  would say I prefer rap to a lot of the pop just now, I like classical, blues and folk too and of course there is good and bad in all genres, and all of this is debatable too, but I think what's most popular now is not close to Green Day, certainly on most UK radio stations.

[FallingFromTheStars]

40 minutes ago, Jake69 said:

Rappers like J Cole and Kendrick Lamar are incredible talented people and have beautiful lyrics. And honestly, they have way more meaningful lyrics than Green Day at some points.

Just wow.

[FallingFromTheStars]

9 minutes ago, Jake69 said:

Can you at least explain why you disagree with me?

I want to, but these conversations never go anywhere healthy.