Guest Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Yeah, that's true. I think that might be what's off putting to me, it feels out of place on the album. The drumming is fantastic, I'd rank it just behind Give Me Novocaine as the best on the album. See a lot of the best songs on the album don't actually rely on the narrative of the album to make them good. Letterbomb, EG, GMN, AI, WMUWSE, Holiday, BOBD, and Whatsername are all fantastic stand alone songs, and I think that makes them stronger. If you have to listen to a bunch of other songs just to get one, I think it takes away from it slightly, especially for the casual listener. Unpopular opinion: WMUWSE feels a tad out of place on AI. The lyrics don't fit the storyline at all, but musically it's bang on.
HolyHandGrenade Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 See a lot of the best songs on the album don't actually rely on the narrative of the album to make them good. Letterbomb, EG, GMN, AI, WMUWSE, Holiday, BOBD, and Whatsername are all fantastic stand alone songs, and I think that makes them stronger. If you have to listen to a bunch of other songs just to get one, I think it takes away from it slightly, especially for the casual listener. Unpopular opinion: WMUWSE feels a tad out of place on AI. The lyrics don't fit the storyline at all, but musically it's bang on. Lyrically (as it fits into AI's story) it reminds me of the part of a movie where they do the montage and skip forward ten years.
Spike Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 See a lot of the best songs on the album don't actually rely on the narrative of the album to make them good. Letterbomb, EG, GMN, AI, WMUWSE, Holiday, BOBD, and Whatsername are all fantastic stand alone songs, and I think that makes them stronger. If you have to listen to a bunch of other songs just to get one, I think it takes away from it slightly, especially for the casual listener. Unpopular opinion: WMUWSE feels a tad out of place on AI. The lyrics don't fit the storyline at all, but musically it's bang on. Yeah, that's true. It can be fun to listen to the full album, but it's definitely helped by the fact the songs work on their own. Like I think Oh Love is pretty good in the context of Uno, but on its own it's boring and it's not work enduring Uno just to listen to that one song, so I never bother. WMUWSE feels incredibly out of place. It's still one of the strongest songs though so it's never really bothered me at all.
Anaïs. Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 See a lot of the best songs on the album don't actually rely on the narrative of the album to make them good. Letterbomb, EG, GMN, AI, WMUWSE, Holiday, BOBD, and Whatsername are all fantastic stand alone songs, and I think that makes them stronger. If you have to listen to a bunch of other songs just to get one, I think it takes away from it slightly, especially for the casual listener. Unpopular opinion: WMUWSE feels a tad out of place on AI. The lyrics don't fit the storyline at all, but musically it's bang on. Have to disagree on "Letterbomb"; it's full of references of "the Jesus of Suburbia", "St. Jimmy", "rage and love", etc. The lyrics absolutely depend on the rest of the album for context. I think WMUWSE can almost work if it's about Jesus' breakup with Whatsername, but it is definitely a reach. Not as bad as Rock and Roll Girlfriend, but a reach.
Guest Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Have to disagree on "Letterbomb"; it's full of references of "the Jesus of Suburbia", "St. Jimmy", "rage and love", etc. The lyrics absolutely depend on the rest of the album for context. Full of references is a little strong. If you remove/change that one line on the bridge, it's basically a standalone song.
Spoopy Doo Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Unpopular GDC opinions: Hermione thinks we should get back on topic. But seriously. Does anyone else prefer the Kerpunk version of Welcome To Paradise? It's one of those songs that's better for being more raw, and Mike's bass on it is even more insane. I do!
Spike Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 I was a mere casual fan when AI came out, and so I knew nothing of the real reason behind WMUWSE.... I thought it was about 9/11, and so I thought the song fit in fine in the context of a post-9/11, anti-Bush album about disillusioned youth. I think a lot of people did think that. I really hated the direction they took with the video, I thought they might use it to clear up any ambiguity rather than delve more into the political aspect. I still hate the video apart from the scenes with the band on the podiums, but I can see what it's all about now. I think it's great that Billie managed to write such a personal song that can be interpreted in a totally different way, that so many people can relate to. To do that and have it also just about fit into the American Idiot story takes a hell of a lot of skill. It's always been his attitude that he writes songs that mean a lot to him, but people are free to take what they want from it, so long as it means something to them in some way, that's the important thing. I think WMUWSE is the most successful he's ever been with that.
The Disappearing Boy Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Wait, people actually listen to WTP out of choice? It's ridiculous, isn't it? People on a Green Day forum listening to a Green Day song?!
Guest Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 It's ridiculous, isn't it? People on a Green Day forum listening to a Green Day song?! I know, what's the world coming to?
Spoopy Doo Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Wait, people actually listen to WTP out of choice? I only will if it's the Kerplunk! version. The Dookie version (along with Basket Case and Longview) is an instant skip for me.
Hermione Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 But seriously. Does anyone else prefer the Kerpunk version of Welcome To Paradise? It's one of those songs that's better for being more raw, and Mike's bass on it is even more insane. Yes! It's a song that celebrates that time when they were young scruffy punks just starting out, the scruffy and imperfect version that was recorded while they were living that perfectly embodies the meaning of the song and can't possibly be topped. Love the raw sound and the way Billie yelps the words, and of course the spooky noises in the instrumental bit Wait, people actually listen to WTP out of choice? This reminds me that according to an interview, during the time there was tension in the band before they made American Idiot, one thing that pissed Billie off was Tre telling him Welcome To Paradise was a "shitty song". So you're in good company lol. I always think of that quote when I see them play it.
Guest Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 This reminds me that according to an interview, during the time there was tension in the band before they made American Idiot, one thing that pissed Billie off was Tre telling him Welcome To Paradise was a "shitty song". So you're in good company lol. I always think of that quote when I see them play it. Finally, I have justification for my abhorrence of that song I wouldn't say it's a terrible song, but it is definitely overplayed. That can be especially irritating for drummers, because they're kinda stuck playing the same thing over and over. That said, it seems Tré has gotten over that, because his recent drums have been incredibly repetitive.
Spike Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Yes! It's a song that celebrates that time when they were young scruffy punks just starting out, the scruffy and imperfect version that was recorded while they were living that perfectly embodies the meaning of the song and can't possibly be topped. Love the raw sound and the way Billie yelps the words, and of course the spooky noises in the instrumental bit This reminds me that according to an interview, during the time there was tension in the band before they made American Idiot, one thing that pissed Billie off was Tre telling him Welcome To Paradise was a "shitty song". So you're in good company lol. I always think of that quote when I see them play it. Yeah, that makes sense. I hate to throw the word authentic around when it comes to Green Day, as they always seem to mean it, but I guess the earlier version of Welcome To Paradise does sound more convincing, even more so when you take into account they were actually living that life, before they were snapped up by Warner and had a load of money thrown at them. That really surprises me - I've never heard of them slagging their own music off, or really having much of a falling out. Do you have any more info on that?
Hermione Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Yeah, that makes sense. I hate to throw the word authentic around when it comes to Green Day, as they always seem to mean it, but I guess the earlier version of Welcome To Paradise does sound more convincing, even more so when you take into account they were actually living that life, before they were snapped up by Warner and had a load of money thrown at them. That really surprises me - I've never heard of them slagging their own music off, or really having much of a falling out. Do you have any more info on that? When American Idiot came out there were quite a few interviews where they talked about how there was tension in the band before they started on the album and how they realized that even though they spoke to other people like adults they still spoke to each other like they were 17 , and came to the conclusion that they should start speaking to each other with a bit more respect and listening to each other more. There's only that one interview where I remember them giving any details, Billie just mentioned it as an example of how they were pissing each other off, like "....things like Tre telling me Welcome To Paradise is a shitty song". I don't think it was really a major falling out but they have said it was the closest they've ever been to splitting, sounds like they just needed to talk about some small issues that had built up through not being discussed and decide exactly where they wanted to go with the band. And it worked and a stronger band and American Idiot were the results!
Spike Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 When American Idiot came out there were quite a few interviews where they talked about how there was tension in the band before they started on the album and how they realized that even though they spoke to other people like adults they still spoke to each other like they were 17 , and came to the conclusion that they should start speaking to each other with a bit more respect and listening to each other more. There's only that one interview where I remember them giving any details, Billie just mentioned it as an example of how they were pissing each other off, like "....things like Tre telling me Welcome To Paradise is a shitty song". I don't think it was really a major falling out but they have said it was the closest they've ever been to splitting, sounds like they just needed to talk about some small issues that had built up through not being discussed and decide exactly where they wanted to go with the band. And it worked and a stronger band and American Idiot were the results! Ah ok. I suppose it's hardly a massive falling out but kind of indicative of the problems they might have been having. It's just so hard to imagine them falling out, y'know? Especially after how supportive Mike was of Billie during rehab. I don't know much about Tre's involvement in that whole issue. But for what it's worth I think Tre's right, I don't blame him for being sick of Welcome To Paradise
WhiteTim Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Yeah, that makes sense. I hate to throw the word authentic around when it comes to Green Day, as they always seem to mean it, but I guess the earlier version of Welcome To Paradise does sound more convincing, even more so when you take into account they were actually living that life, before they were snapped up by Warner and had a load of money thrown at them. I dont think they had a real huge change of living even after signing with Warner as the amount a label gives you is paid out in payments for the length of the original contract and even then takes a few months (up to 6 months from signing) to get the first payment so I doubt their living situation changed drasticly for them til after Dookie. Example lets say GD signed for 100k for four year contract theyd only get 25k a year
The Disappearing Boy Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 I dont think they had a real huge change of living even after signing with Warner as the amount a label gives you is paid out in payments for the length of the original contract and even then takes a few months (up to 6 months from signing) to get the first payment so I doubt their living situation changed drasticly for them til after Dookie. Example lets say GD signed for 100k for four year contract theyd only get 25k a year Plus royalties and tour earnings - that must ramp it up by a few 100 k, right? Although I guess it would take a while for that to come through, so I guess it still probably wasn't right after they signed.
Spike Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 I dont think they had a real huge change of living even after signing with Warner as the amount a label gives you is paid out in payments for the length of the original contract and even then takes a few months (up to 6 months from signing) to get the first payment so I doubt their living situation changed drasticly for them til after Dookie. Example lets say GD signed for 100k for four year contract theyd only get 25k a year Good point, I never considered that. That said, at least knowing things were going to be ok for them in terms of finances and general survival can only have been a huge relief.
WhiteTim Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Plus royalties and tour earnings - that must ramp it up by a few 100 k, right? Although I guess it would take a while for that to come through, so I guess it still probably wasn't right after they signed. Oh yeah royalties and tours of course I was saying at the time Dookie was recorded I doubt their living changed dramatically. Good point, I never considered that. That said, at least knowing things were going to be ok for them in terms of finances and general survival can only have been a huge relief. Oh yeah knowing money will soon come will definitely make things easier
The Disappearing Boy Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Oh yeah royalties and tours of course I was saying at the time Dookie was recorded I doubt their living changed dramatically. Yeah true. I seem to remember it had been written by the time they signed anyway. Just out of interest, how much could a band like green day make from royalties and touring? It obviously depends on how successful the record/tour is, but I guess it must be hundreds of thousands?
Spike Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Yeah true. I seem to remember it had been written by the time they signed anyway. Just out of interest, how much could a band like green day make from royalties and touring? It obviously depends on how successful the record/tour is, but I guess it must be hundreds of thousands? I would have thought they'll have made losses on their pre-Dookie tours
The Disappearing Boy Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 I would have thought they'll have made losses on their pre-Dookie tours And the Trilogy tour!
WhiteTim Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Yeah true. I seem to remember it had been written by the time they signed anyway. Just out of interest, how much could a band like green day make from royalties and touring? It obviously depends on how successful the record/tour is, but I guess it must be hundreds of thousands? Royalties from album sales are a joke for bands they get anywhere from .25 cents to a 1.00 a cd Tours they get whatever amount they charge to do shows minus crew and production fees) GD makes millions easily off touring now
Spike Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 I guess royalties are getting even worse with the rise of Spotify, too. $0.007 per play or something? Absolutely ludicrous.
The Disappearing Boy Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Royalties from album sales are a joke for bands they get anywhere from .25 cents to a 1.00 a cd Tours they get whatever amount they charge to do shows minus crew and production fees) GD makes millions easily off touring now Lucky sods! They've earnt it though.
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