Green Day: Dookie (5/5/2024)

Green Day: Dookie [Reprise, 1994] If you think about it, it's hard to understand exactly why this album became popular. In a time when generic post-grunge bands like Candlebox and Collective Soul dominated rock radio, it's hard to believe why something so new, so unique, so socially unacceptable would ever be allowed to hit the charts. However, this is arguably the same situation when the Beatles became popular. What is represented here is a right-place-at-the-right-time situation. Indie punk rock had always been one of the most important facets of music, ever since Minor Threat, Rites of Spring and X gained traction with indie kids in the '80s. However, punk was only allowed on radio in the form of bands like the Police, which didn't represent the whole scene. So it's almost fitting that this album became popular.

However, Green Day did not start out with such an explosion. They released two albums, 39/Smooth in 1990, Kerplunk! in 1991, on local record label Lookout Records. Both of these albums were extremely promising, but lacked most of what made Dookie a classic album. They became stars in their hometown of Berkeley, playing clubs like the one at 924 Gilman St. where they cut their teeth as performers. However, when word spread that they had signed to major label Reprise Records, they were exiled from the indie scene there. But to the music world at large, Dookie was a fresh start. It was the sound of an extremely promising band just letting go and freaking out. This concept dominates Dookie. "I declare I don't care no more!" Billie Joe Armstrong preaches in the opening seconds of "Burnout." It immediately sets you up for something, and delivers all the way through, even when tackling the ambitious idea of ending an album with a four-song hardcore punk suite.

However, what makes its success surprising is how uncompromising and PG-13 it is. Its wide range of topics include abuse ("Pulling Teeth"), anxiety ("Basket Case"), and disillusionment (F.O.D.). Surprisingly, "Longview," the most uncompromising song here, became a huge hit and propelled Dookie into the commercial stratosphere. You could call it sensationalism, or you could speak the truth and admit that they are talented artistes who can speak to people on such a level that commercial standards do not matter. They can extract humor from the darkest situations, and that is what makes Dookie such a great listen.

However, ever since Dookie came out, Green Day have been a promise they can't keep. Every album afterwards has been inferior to the previous one. Even a "masterpiece" like American Idiot can't match what's displayed here. All this culminated in 2020's Father of All..., which was loathed by fans and met with lukewarm reviews from critics. Although it certainly isn't the worst thing they've done, it's still pretty bad. It sounds like Arctic Monkeys covering Sleater-Kinney. Both of those bands are good, but just because you like avocados and rocky road ice cream does not mean you should eat those things together. However, they've managed to make a slight improvement with this year's Saviors. It is not a great album, needless to say. But regardless of any mistakes or missteps, Dookie still resonates. They may never write another good song, but that will do nothing to diminish this album's power. [9.3/10]