Punk stalwarts sign to major label! Maximum Rock `n' Roll readers in a tizzy! With the help of the Warner empire, Green Day is going to reach skate rats and disaffected teens in every hamlet in America. It's a bit of a shock to see that Green Day got on the Reprise bandwagon; after all, its earlier records came out on the staunchly independent Bay Area label Lookout! The band isn't avant-anything, but it is extremely good at what it does, which is 1978-style clean-cut punk rock. Lyrically, Green Day is the epitome of suburban-boy vision, or lack thereof. A typical lyric goes "I sit around and watch TV, but there's nothing on," while somewhere else singer Tre Cool (seemingly afflicted by a permanent case of sinusitis) snorts "Call me pathetic, call me what you will." Most songs on Dookie are guaranteed to whip the most apathetic mosh-pit into a frenzy, or make you drive a little faster if you happen to be in a car. After a while, you realize that most of the songs come from the exact same mold (they all have a drum-bass break two-thirds in), but by the time Dookie is over you couldn't care less. Completely mindless and completely fun.

This is Green Days best album. I first heard of Green Day when they released 'time of your life' in the late 90's. If you were asked when Green Day hit the big time, you would have to say it was it was when 'Dookie' exploded onto the scene in 1994 alongside the offspring's 'Smash'. And when you listen to this album, you will know why it was reated the 57# best album of all time.

The songs on this album last forever, this is proven as i have yet to bore of the oldest and the best 'basket case'. The CD cover is great and if you read the little speach bubbles, you'll be slightly humored. The pictures of , Billie-Joe, Tre and Mike, are really funny and a nice little picture of their humour and personalities.

All of songs are relatively easy to play as some only use about 4 cords.

I will describe the album in as much detail as possible to let understand the greatness of the album.

Track 1

Burnout: This is the first song on the album and great way to start off. It startes with a burst of adrenaline with great punk chords and mad drumming provided by Tre Cool. The lyrics to this song, really do appeal and are well crafted by Billie-Joe. This song is very teenage orientated and you can tell that Billie-Joe was a teenager when he wrote this. It is about going through life so quickly that you 'burn out' (hence the title)

An example of the lyrics (taken from the lyrics book provided with the album)

'I'm not growing up, I'm just burning out.'

A great song, that was released as a single
all those years back and you can tell because of it compairing to the 'warning' material.

Track 2

Having a Blast: this song is not really one of my favourites, mainly because i have been obsessed with Longview, Welcome to Paradise and Basket Case. However, its still a good song and there is something about this song, which makes it good. The great background music, with drums building up the sound, while the guitar
supports Billie-Joe's vocals so well.

It is a great song and is about someone having no morals or remorse about committing
suicide and bringing everyone with them and consequently is also about revenge .

The lyrics make it quite a sad song, but still good. But its not
a sinister song, it is still fast and furious, but
with a great tune and singing and music.

Track 3

Chump: This song, is an average song in my opionion. It is not Green Day's best but no their worst. It is about this superficial tw** that this guy really
hates, it also suggests that he took his girl. The lyrics are based around the same topic as a lot of Green Day songs. It has a nice solid drum in
the background, along with three chorder guitars.

It has a great feel, this song and at the end of
the song, there is a like a dominating drum part,
which is greats and it builds up the tension and
atmosphere and then merges into the next song

Track 4

Longview: This is one of the best songs on the album and merges with the previous . This was one of Green Days most famous songs as i think....it went to no.1 in the US - correct me if i'm wrong.It was released as a single when this album came out. it is a quality song.

It has a continuos theme about isolation and masturbation and how its lost its appeal. Its a really comical song, but a good one,

IThis is also a great adolescent song, which
really does relate to teenagers upwards. A great
song. You must listen to this song, its one of the best!!!!!!

Track 5

Welcome to Paradise: This song was originally put on their previous album, Kerplunk. I didn't like this song originally but then when i started to listen to it more, it became my noe favourite song. This song was written in the form of a letter by Billie-Joe to his mum and saying what he has done since he has moved out of home. 'welcome to paradise' is sort of saying that where he was before, it was hell but now when you see him you are in paradise....i think??

The twist in the song is when he comes to
accept it and then this probably shows how things
grows on you.

The part after the second chorus, has this great
riff with solo parts and then it builds up again to an explosion in the final verse.

The lyrics in this song are great, and Billie-Joe's voice and Tre Cool's drumming is amazing

Track 6

Pulling Teeth: This is a very funny song. It is about some guy and a really abusive girlfriend . He (Billie Joe) describes how he
is a prisoner in a house, by being beaten up by
this manic girlfriend.

The music isn't Green Days best and is a bit of a sing a long song. The solo in it isn't fabulous but not boring though.

Track 7

Basket Case: This was Green Day's first single to be released and because of lack of publicity went in at no.54. However, when it was released years later in became Green Day's biggest hit to date in the UK, going in at no.7.

This is undoubtebly one of Green Day's greatest songs. It is quite a mad song with manic lyics which will humor you. It is very fast as far as Green Day songs go with majorly fast, riffs and rums, with another very catchy riff which is needed, with a brilliant vocals provided provided by Billie-Joe Armstrong. This is a relativly easy song to play and sounds great if you include the bass part as well.

Track 8

She: This is one of my favourite songs and is about a submissive girl, with no recognition. It is also about being accepted into society as well.

At the start, this song isn't very fast but as it progresses it gets faster with a great chorus

Like the majority of songs on this album, it has a great guitar and drums bit. It is so
admirable how these guys play and sing but in my opinion........their not great at playing their instruments but as a lyricist, Billie-Joe is one of the best (of the modern day.....in America)

Track 9

Sassafras Roots:This is a simple song. It has
repetitive lyrics, but since Greenday never does
this, it makes the song one of a kind. it is
simple but really catchy and gets you in the mood
for going out.

Its all about companionship and about the union of
two bored, lonely people. This a bit of an overlooked song in some peoples views (including my own).

Track 10

When I come around: This was another single of the album that was released and has credited as one of Green Days best songs. In my opinion it is great song but i have bored of it know because i have listened to it so many times. It has that recognisable drum beat
at the beginning, that later complies with the thick gutiar chords.

This is song is about being fed up. But about come-up-ance
as well. A good, song with a unique beat for punk,
and Billie Joe still give s a great performance.
However, if you look at the titel its like he is unconsious and he is saying what he will do when he wakes up.

Track 11

Coming Clean: This song is mainly about lies and deception from
parents especially, which all teenagers can relate to. The reason why they have written a song for a teeneger is because they were only 18 when they wrote this.

This is what makes Greenday so good, they had such great lyrics,
which made people feel good, and not alone, with
lyrics and music, you feel safe with.

Not a bad song but not grea. Quite abrupt and recognising
what growing up is like which includes a great guitar riff.

Track 12

Emenius Sleepus: This song is about how you can see characteristics of yourself in another person because it was or
is you. It also includes a bit a friend that turned for
the worst.

Another good song with great drums provided by Tre Cool and a rolling beat.

Track 13

In the End: This song is purely about a girl being shallow. The reference towards this girl who is going out with this girl (i don't think it is Billie Joe, is it??, is he speaking in third person again?) who is just going out with this guy (oh no it isn't billie joe.) to be popular and look good, which is basically what you can see a lot of today. It then says about when she comes running back and he won't be there for her.

This isn't Green Days greatest song and i expect most people will agree with me.

Track 14

F.O.D: This is a funny song. The initals f.o.d. stand for f*** off and die.This is quite a quiet song at the start and then explodes into this manic verse and creates a great song and a superb way to finish off the album. It is also quite unique with layered
vocals.

Extra Song:

All by Myself: There is an extra song after F.O.D which was introduced to me by a fellow ciao member "dant" (don't read his reviews, they're rubbish, well i say that, his first ones were, read the recent ones, they're quite good). More to the point, is a song sung by Drummer Tre Cool is a basement with NOFX, friends of Green Day. Its mainly about lonelieness and masturbation.
Its really funny funny

Rank Order of Dookie:

1.Welcome to Paradise
2.Longview
3.Basket Case (this would be no.1 in any other Green Days fans top 15.)
4.F.O.D
5.All by Myself
6.She
7.When i come around (this would be no.2 in any other Green Days fans top 15.)
8.Pulling Teeth
9.Burnout
10.Sassafras Roots
11.Enimus Sleeping
12.Coming Clean
13.Chump
14.Having a Blast
15.In the End

Overall, an amazing album with only a few weak songs but 3 of the greatest punk songs ever 'Longview,' 'Welcome to Paradise,' & 'Basket Case.' Probably Green Day's best album next to Nimrod, if you havn't bought this album, go now for the good of the nation and buy it (you freak). It has been amazing for 7 years and will reign on as one of the greatest punk albums ever!!!!!!!