joecross dot com: Music Review #2

Hempstead, N.Y., February, 24, 1995—Finally departing from its Berkeley roots, Green Day's major-label debut Dookie proves to be nearly as energetic as its lesser-known albums.

From its opening, Dookie is fueled by a neverending stream of punkish guitars and surprisingly thoughtful lyrics. Though the tone of the album is reminiscent of college punk bands such as the early Jawbreakers and the more recent Bad Religion, Green day distinguishes itself from run-of-the-mill college punk bands through its unique blend of sensitive, albeit strange, lyrics and powerful head-thrashing riffs. Dookie by Green Day

The first single, "Longview," alternates between frontman Billy Joe's subtle discussion of teenage masturbation and the accompanying myths, and the loud, blaring chorus detailing a young man's problems with motivation. Included in this diatribe are veiled references to marijuana use and teenage paranoia.

Other songs such as "She," which deals with women's limited place in society and the resulting pressure inherent in such oppression, are much more mainstream. Lines like, "She screams in silence/Waiting to smash the silence/With the brick of self-control," add a deeper meaning to the song than the wailing guitars and pounding drums.

"Basket Case" is perhaps the most poignant song on the album. Everyone can likely sympathize with Billy Joe's lyrics addressing self-paranoia, self-control and fitting into a society in which individuality is frequently condemned as insanity.

Yet when one considers Green Day and its influence, the lyrics are not the first element of their music that comes to mind. Rather, the punk/pop guitars which hammer incessantly from the speakers, the smashing of the percussion, and the wailing vocals complement the unabashed passion with which Green Day attacks every song they write, giving them an appeal most punk rock bands have yet to attain.

Dookie fails in only one respect in that it does not match the level of intensity achieved on the group's previous release, Kerplunk. Perhaps the band's label and relatively new success have offset some of the down-to-earth qualities they used to revel in. More likely though, is that Green Day has simply changed its style from college bar to top-notch recording studio, and in so changing, may have irrevocably altered some of the "college" attitudes with which they are identified.