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Insomniac, always seen by me to be a rush release, a quick way of cashing in on the success that Dookie brought the band, sees the guys go back to their punk roots, yet looses some of the magic that had been ... Read review
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Advantages: - Disadvantages: rush release maybe hurts overall feel of the album
...never have dreamed of using Insomniac as a quick buck, a way to cash in on the crest, but in the corporate world of rock - it’s not about what the band wants.
Anyway record company aside, Green Day tried their best to follow Dookie’s lead, and well, gave it a decent fist but still fell short. ‘Armatage Shanks’ for starters, is the best song on the record, as well as easily being one of the bands finest to date. Its one of the few songs ... ...Basketcase and Longview. As I said, this release is more Green Day of old than the post-Nimrod Green Day that produce more pop-punk than anything. ‘Armatage’ talks of being your own worst enemy, being your closest enemy and most importantly not trusting yourself. One thing that can never be directed at Billie Joe Armstrong is that he doesn’t know how to pen a tune. His advantage over the influx of ‘sk8er rock’ bands is that he’s able to write the ... more
(excuse the re-use of the opening paragraph from a previous review)
As expressed in my review of Warning that I wrote previously, Green Day are a band that have helped me through hard times, and I say that with the true conviction that so many others lack when they make comments like that. When your life gets to a point when you simply don’t want it any more, you turn to someone or something, whether it be a loved one, a pint in the pub or whatever else, but for me it’s my music that helps me. Green Day in particular, along with Nirvana, were the two bands that made me see that I was being petty and needed to think about myself in a whole new light, and for that I thanks them immensely. Whether it be for the lyrics, the music, or simply what they stood for, but for whatever reason they turned me around and made me think how much worse I could have things, but luckily, and most importantly, I have the chance to live a life that some others simply don’t have.
Insomniac, always seen by me to be a rush release, a quick way of cashing in on the success that Dookie brought the band, sees the guys go back to their punk roots, yet looses some of the magic that had been before. This is the critical phase where I lambaste the record company for simply cashing in and not producing a great record at that. Dookie was ‘the’ breakthrough, the answer to grunge, the end of the Cobain era (R.I.P.) and the album that put modern punk on the map. The sales said it all, the kids loved it, the adults loved it, hell even some grandmas could have bopped to Basketcase, but the idea of waiting just a year to return was lost on me from day 1. After a release of such magnitude, the only thing that can be expected is for the band to just disappear and return in 2 or 3 years time with something on a level pegging. Nirvana did it with In Utero and Pearl Jam did it with Vs, but Green Day unfortunately, didn’t do it. The band aren’t the ones to blame either, they would never have dreamed of using Insomniac as a quick buck, a way to cash in on the crest, but in the corporate world of rock - it’s not about what the band wants.
Anyway record company aside, Green Day tried their best to follow Dookie’s lead, and well, gave it a decent fist but still fell short. ‘Armatage Shanks’ for starters, is the best song on the record, as well as easily being one of the bands finest to date. Its one of the few songs that you could genuinely imagine sitting on a par with Basketcase and Longview. As I said, this release is more Green Day of old than the post-Nimrod Green Day that produce more pop-punk than anything. ‘Armatage’ talks of being your own worst enemy, being your closest enemy and most importantly not trusting yourself. One thing that can never be directed at Billie Joe Armstrong is that he doesn’t know how to pen a tune. His advantage over the influx of ‘sk8er rock’ bands is that he’s able to write the greatest songs, yet they are free of the teen angst that plagues a lot of today’s music.
“Never trusted anyone Let alone myself I must insist On being a pessimist”
‘Stuck With Me’ is another of the Dookie-esque tracks, taking a step back lyrically but keeping the stock sound that has become so expected over the bands career. It’s another song of self destruction and hatred that elevates to down right inner pain. Not to say that the tracks have personal relevance to Billie, but if they do then he certainly hides it well. Relatively short in length, it leads into another of the Green Day classics, Geek Stink Breath. A song that made it’s way onto the 2000 release ‘International Superhits’, Geek is a song of self destruction, of slowly declining and wasting away. Something you will notice is the recurring theme of self hate, destruction etc, something that can be related to many of the true ‘punk’ bands of times gone by. Punk after all, is all about the rebellion, and Green Day express that through every one of their songs.
“I’m on a mission I made my decision To lead a path of self-destruction A slow progression Killing my complexion And it’s rotting out my teeth”
‘No Pride’ is another short sharp burst of punk-rock that, from the title, is pretty easy to decipher the theme. As said previous, punk is (or was) all about the rebellion, about being different, but these days you just have to take one look around to see that so many people are attempting to be different, that in fact being normal is the rebellion. ‘Walking Contradiction’ is another of the Green Day classics, and another that appears on the greatest hits package. Again, as the title says, it speaks of being just that, a contradiction. Doing what you say you won’t, being what you say you aren’t and straight up contradicting everything you say. Preaching the rich, then opening your bulging wallet, slating the people that don’t think like you, then finding that you are just the same, it’s a song with a clear and helpful message.
“Do as I say Not as I do because The sh*t so deep you can’t run away I beg to differ on the contrary I agree with every word that you say Talk is cheap and lies are expensive My wallet’s fat and so is my head”
Another personal favourite would be ‘Panic Song’. Again it tells the tales of woe that are experienced in today’s world, but carries that punk edge that Green Day had been missing for the past few releases. ‘Stuart and the Ave.’ is also a great track, again going more down the punk road of old, whilst still talking of how things are ‘f*cked up’ and in need of repair, it’s a great song with the catchy riffs that are so reminiscent of early Green Day. Defying the critics has always been Green Day’s strength, and despite not agreeing with the entire idea of the quick release after Dookie, the fact remains that this is a punk-rock album that won’t fail to entertain. Not my favourite release from the band, but that’s not to say I dislike any of their music, I just see this as a step down from Dookie, Nimrod and American Idiot, but c’mon…..its Green Day !
“In the hands of bad luck Before it might have made some sense But now it’s all f*cked up Seasons change as well as minds And I’m a two footed clown”
Track listing
1 - Armatage Shanks 2 - Brat 3 - Stuck With Me 4 - Geek Stink Breath 5 - No Pride 6 - Bab’s Uvula Who ? 7 - 86 8 - Panic Song 9 - Stuart And The Ave. 10 - Brain Stew 11 - Jaded 12 - Westbound Sign 13 - Tight Wad Hill 14 - Walking Contradiction
Advantages: One or two good songs Disadvantages: The rest are rubbish!!
...op! I decided to review Insomniac because I don't think it's a particularly good album, and I'm yet to write a really negative op (I'm just a happy guy who loves everything!). Anyway, here it goes....
=THE ALBUM=
The first thing you notice about the album, is that, like Dookie, the songs are numerous but very short. The only songs worth listening to are Geek Stink Breath and Brain Stew. Unless you're a hardcore Green Day fan, in which case you'll ... ...to note - "86" is the only track that mentions the title in the lyrics, and this only occurs once in the song. Oh yeah, and Stuart and the Ave. Just noticed :o)
=THE TRACKS=
~Armatage Shanks (2:16)~
Nice drum solo introduction, but the praise stops there. The song isn't catchy in any way, and is forgotten once you've skipped the track (within the first 20 seconds).
~Brat (1:43)~
Not sure what this is meant to be about, the incessant, drab guitar ...
scumfrogs 29.08.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Insomniac - Green Day
Advantages: An excellent album from Green Day, jam packed full of brilliantly heavy material. Disadvantages: May be a little too heavy for some.
'Insomniac' is without doubt my favourite of all the Green Day albums. It contains so many of my favourite tracks of theirs and is I feel an all round excellent album from them. It's exceptional in every sense and never do the band fail to impress throughout the entirety of this release. With 'Dookie' the band had exploded onto the scene the previous year, however with 'Insomniac' the band showcase a far darker and heavier side of theirs. The album ... ...sold in excess of 2 million copies in America and is therefore certified double platinum.
This is I feel the most powerful of all the albums that the band have ever released, it certainly had a profound effect on me right from the first time I ever listened to it. There are few albums that hit me on first listen, but 'Insomniac' is certainly one such album that did. The guitars are enormously intense, the vocals are spot on, and the drum beats are ...
RazzaLazza 15.03.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Insomniac - Green Day
Advantages: Green Day's best record, a handfull of solid songs! Disadvantages: Geek Stink Breath and the lyrics to Panic Song
...titled Dookie hit the shelves, Insomniac was upon the world. Often written off as the group's 'difficult sophomore'(despite the fact it's their fourth LP), Insomniac is surprisingly not a popular album amongst Green Day fans. The reason I find this surprising, is that it's easily their most consistent(well, consistently decent, their first album was consistently shit) record, and it would probably be my pick for the band's best album. Not that it ... ...you think I've lost it, Insomniac is not a very good album. There are albums I've given 2/5 to I would rather listen to than it, but as far as Green Day albums go, it's about as good as you get. I mean, musically it's mostly the same as basically every Green Day album that came before it. 3 minute, 3 chord songs that sound like rejected B-sides from The Buzzcocks or the Undertones sung by Billie Joe Armstrong in his terribley nasal voice. However, ...
Flash-Hammer 02.12.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Insomniac - Green Day
Advantages: Heavier Disadvantages: Not long enough
This is a true punk rock album in the sense of the word. It is short, sweet and very punk. The album starts up with the rather bizarrely titled 'Armitage Shanks'which comes in and sets up what is the album. It is fast and furious and lyrics that are typical for the album that are full of anger and hate that weren't unleashed in 'Dookie'.
'Brat' is the second track on the album which enlightens listeners as to how Billie Joe plans to wait for his ... ...bother with a normal job. Genious eh? Well strange as it sounds it is fast and short but very catchy. The album is notable for the chronically weird titles of songs and the next one comes in the form of one fo the singles 'Geek Stink Breath'. Again this another catchy song which tells of the turmoils of life and how control seems to be slipping away as they tour just about every inch of the USA and others. He talks of 'I'm on a roll, no self-control, ...
DanielTaylor 06.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Insomniac - Green Day
Advantages: Some fantastic songs, shows different side to the band, incredible artwork Disadvantages: Not their best record
...Compared to its predecessors, Insomniac has a predominately heavier and darker edge to it. The main themes of the album are paranoia, isolation, panic attacks (Panic Song) and, as shown through the album title, insomnia. Tracks such as Geek Stink Breath and Brain Stew provide insights into the state of the mind during drug use, presenting the use of drugs such as methamphetamine in a very unattractive light. Brain Stew cleverly blends into Jaded, ... ...local venue, Gillman Street.
Insomniac was probably Green Day’s least successful album, and compared to their other releases, this is not Green Day at their best. However, it does contain some amazing songs, in particular Brain Stew, Geek Stink Breath, Walking Contradiction and 86. It’s worth a listen if you’re a fan of the band or interested in their development. This may also impress fans of an altogether heavier breed of punk rock music as well. ...
xradishx 21.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Insomniac - Green Day
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
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Reviews which might be of interest for "Insomniac - Green Day"
Advantages: Solid, with some wonderful tracks Disadvantages: You won't like every track
A change of pace for GreenDay - a far more varied offering than Insomniac or Dookie, but still distinctive GreenDay. The punk rock world would not be the same without this band, and Nimrod is some of their best work. Even in the more daring styles, such as a brass band backing Billie Joe in "King For A Day", GreenDay show they can pull off a great sound and enjoy it too.
The album caters for all tastes - which unfortunately means few will like every track. I find "Redundant" insufferable - others I know consider it a classic.
The high point of the album is undoubtedly Billie Joe's solo - "Good Riddance". With poignant lyrics and the guitar and strings joining for a memorable chord sequence, it epitomises the new GreenDay. They still got it. ...
Advantages: LOTS OF CATCHY SONGS Disadvantages: a few filler tracks
Three years since their last album ( Shenanigans ) which although featured the movie soundtrack to the second Austin Powers movie ( Espionage ) it did not have any memoriable hits.
Up until now GreenDay have churned out albums every year or like Dookie and Insomniac two a year! GreenDay have spent time to analyse and assess they're situation. This is GreenDay's first album from Warner Bros. , the last six were from Reprise records.
This is GreenDays latest album called 'American Idiot' a poltical 'rock opera'. It features many catchy and relatable tracks such as 'American Idiot' and the giant that is 'Jesus of suburbia' . The album is ment to show anger and resentment towards the president of America and the Iraq war. The songs are plentiful but some like 'give me novacaine ' and 'shes a rebel' seem like filler tracks ...
Advantages: Some terrific tracks are included in this collection. Disadvantages: The two new tracks recorded for this release are not very good.
for one love this vocal tone of the man. This track is I feel definitely well worth listening to, it's well constructed and never does the music of the band disappoint here.
Tracks 9-13 are from the GreenDay album 'Insomniac' which was released through Reprise Records in 1995. 'Insomniac' is without doubt my favourite GreenDay album, it is therefore these five tracks that appeal to me most from this 'International Superhits' album. 'Geek Stink Breath' and 'Walking Contradiction' are particular favourites of mine from this album, both of which are included here and they certainly do not disappoint. All five of the tracks chosen from this album have been picked well I feel, all of them are impressive but none more so than these two. There is something about 'Geek Stink Breath' that I just can't get enough of, it's a brilliant display ...
Green Day: Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals, guitar); Mike Dirnt (vocals, bass); Tre Cool (drums). If Nirvana burst the dam that kept punk rock at bay in the '80s, Green Day--with their third album, DOOKIE--were the first all-consuming flood to hit the charts. Brandishing old school Ramones and Clash riffs, the Berkeley, CA trio made out like bandits, selling nearly ten million albums, scaling mainstream magazine covers and hijacking rock-festival spotlights from established acts. But judging from the lyrical contents of INSOMNIAC, bringing punk to the malls hasn't been a very satisfying experience for singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong. Throughout, he rails at the moribund state of youth culture and his place in it, as bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tre Cool speed up this anger to a frenetic pace. The disses fly every which way--at well-to-doers copping poses ("Brat"), at girlfriends who just don't understand ("Stuart And The Ave."), towards the world at-large ("Panic Song"), and, most of all, at himself. As though aware that his band helped make a sacred lifestyle fashionable, Billie Joe demeans his existence in song after song--unable to even sleep in peace with himself. For the disenfranchised listener, these are the ABCs of self-hate rebellion. Judging from the catchiness of his songs, this predicament isn't likely to end soon. "Geek Stink Breath," a heavy, mid-tempo rumble in the manner of the Sex Pistols' "Sub-Mission"; "Panic Song," with its frenzied "Pinball Wizard"-like build-up, and the fired-up, pop fury of "All Wound Up," all embody the very principals that make the punk lessons of 1977 so attractive today: simplicity, hooks, a lack of pretension, and a disdain for authority. On INSOMNIAC, Green Day puts those lessons to use yet again--their platinum nightmares are sure to follow.
Album Reviews
Spin (12/95, p.63) - Ranked #15 on Spin's list of the `20 Best Albums Of '95.' Spin (12/95, p.118) - 8 - Very Good - "...Rage and release become an infinite loop, spinning faster all the time, old pleasures maniacally revved up to suit what INSOMNIAC and all of us know are `Jaded' times....The Green Day three have never crunched as powerfully....a sustained thrill..." Musician (1/96, p.88) - "...another 14 ruthlessly economical, cheerfully alienated punk-pop flag wavers....Green Day...approach every number with its customary last-day-on-earth intensity. All of the hyper-adrenal elements found on the band's breakthrough set remain firmly in place here..." Entertainment Weekly (10/20/95, pp.60-62) - "...like DOOKIE, 14 slices of hearty anarchy, played with a follow-the-boucing-spitball compactness and vigor. The songs are new-generation-punk formula, but there's no denying the band's ear for a hook..." - Rating: B Alternative Press (1/96, p.80) - "...The record's a good 'un....Alongside Elastica, they're probably the best punk band around. Their sense of roots is flawless, their skills sharp, their rock'n'roll instincts finely tuned. They know how to entertain and how to write a catchy, perfect pop song..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Armatage Shanks
2.
Brat
3.
Stuck With Me
4.
Geek Stink Breath
5.
Stuart And The Ave
6.
86
7.
Panic Song
8.
No Pride
9.
Brain Stew
10.
Jaded
11.
Westbound Sign
12.
Tight Wad Hill
13.
Walking Contradiction
14.
Bab's Uvula
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