Simple. Juvenile. Immature. Yep, that's the essence of Green Day. It can be a good thing though - being a grownup all the time isn't good for you, and punk is nothing if not a celebration of everything bratty and angry. For all the criticism it invites, Insomniac nevertheless succeeds very well at what it does, more so (in my opinion) than its breakthrough predecessor Dookie. It may be impossible to be objective but even now, years onward from the time I practically wore the disc out as a depressed high-schooler, I have to say it stands up remarkably well. It's energetic, it's bouncy, it's mindless, it flows effortlessly, it's got the same kind of fluffy sing-along quality that AC/DC elevated to an art form. (Sort of. Maybe. Well what would you call it?)

The music is mostly as basic as it gets; people usually need some simple basic fiber in their diets among the more fancy stuff, and Green Day did manage to do more with three chords than anyone since the Ramones. But there's a little extra here - the tight instrumental opening section of "Panic Song," the chunky minor groove of "Geek Stink Breath," the sinister plodding "Brain Stew," the subtle-but-impressive bass work behind "Stuart and the Ave." It's nothing that'll blow anyone's mind, but it adds enough flavoring that the whole thing avoids being a string of similar riffs throughout. (For more variety, try Nimrod.)

The band has moved on to other things since, even currently having a punk-rock opera in the works - I guess everyone has to grow up sometime - but Insomniac remains the highlight of the catalogue for me. Even when it can also make you want to break some furniture. No.. *especially* then.

Yeah, you heard me. UNDERRATED. I remember when this album came out, so many people were going, "Ugh, this stinks!" or "They've lost it!" What?! I thought this album was great! It's just as good as "Dookie," if not more. Green Day remains one of the coolest bands ever, especially when they perform live.

"Insomniac" is a great album that sill contains the punk edge that made them famous in "Dookie." (Great CD cover!!! You could look at it unfolded for hours, man.) EVERY song is great on this album. Yep. EVERY song. The lyrics are great, the guitars are great, and yes, the drumming is great.

My favorite songs are as follows: "brat," "stuck with me," "geek stink breath," "86," "stuart and the ave.," "panic song," and "walking contradiction." I really do like ALL of the songs, but those are the ones I listen to the most.

I really like the lyrics and the singing best of all. Billie Joe has an awesome voice, and a great ability of creating great and catchy lyrics.

Overall, a great album. Haven't gotten tire of it yet. And I don't think I ever will. Especially after seeing them live for the first time, I dig them more than ever before. Green Day is a very talented band that deserves more respect. Even today, yes TODAY, they still rock. And, they're still together after all of these years. Pick up "Insomniac" as soon as you can.

I am a total Green Day fan. I have every one of the six albums and am proud of it. This is arguably my favorite. This review won't be too helpful if I just talk about me though, so here goes...

Armatage Shanks- It surprised me at first, sounded distinctly different from 1994's Dookie, but I got used to the slightly heavier, catchy punk sound that is maintained throughouth the recording.

Brat- A fun song mostly due to its feisty, irreverent lyrics that magically capture the whole spirit of Green Day. It opens with nothing but vocals and then suddenly burst into a horde of crunchy guitar chords.

Stuck With Me- One of my favorite songs by the guys, mostly for the way the words perfectly illustrate how a teen can feel sometimes. The thoughtful yet fast-paced angst makes the song a real keeper.

Geek Stink Breath- Great live. Its hard to catch some of what Billie Joe is saying, and he sings it like he been dead for a few days.

No Pride- I originally didn't carre for this particular number but grew to like the quick beat and catchy melody.

86- Some great lines in this one and a killer chorus that had me hooked from the start. Definitely another one of my faves.

Bab's Uvulva Who?- Don't let the odd title distract you from a super and wonderfully negative track that generally produces a feeling of hyperness that is probobly not healthy.

Panic Song- I love this. Once you make it through the drug out beginning instrumental, you dive into a song full of lyrics that are above my head but nonetheless terribly enjoyable: "The world is a sick machine/breeding a mass of ..." And how can you not treasure BJ tailing it all off with "I wanna jump out" over and over again?

Stuart and the Avenue- Catchy yet not repetitive, you could listen to this 3,000 times in a row and not get sick of it. Please don't test my theory, though.

Brain Stew- This huge hit was written at the time of BJ's newborn baby's screaming in the night, hence the tired lyrics and album title. It has a more than memorable base line that was rudely stolen by 2000 raprock superstars Papa Roach. Toooo bad.

Jaded- THis quickie is best directly following Brain Stew and plays well blaring mercilessly on the stereo with volume to the max. From what I can tell, it bashes evolution and the human race.

Tight Wad Hill- THis was an actual place in Berkely or Oakland or somewhere that could be seen from Billie's school. A fun, fast song that certainly ends too quick. But then, isn't that how all Green Day songs are?

Westbound Sign- I've listened to this less that anything on the album. I don't know why, its still a great song to listen to.

Walking Contradiction- Wow. I live for this song. Thole thing is just great. All it is is a bunch of contradictory phrases mixed together, back to back. The opening line is the best: "Do as I say not as I do/cause the *'s so deep, you can't run away."

Well, that's it. Buy it! Buy it now! Before the world ends! You'll need all the time possible to listen to it!

visit greenday.net for cool stuff on the band if you don't know much about them...

I'm surprised that INSOMNIAC is probably Green Day's most commercially disappointing album thus far. The guitars and attitude on this are stronger and heavier than those on DOOKIE, NIMROD, or their earlier releases. Armstrong and company play with no mercy from start to finish, and their loser-attitude lyrics almost seem believeable at times. Some of the tracks like "Walking Contradiction" and "Geek Stink Breath" became hits on radio and MTV for good reason, but there's really no filler at all. "86" and "No Pride" have probably never been heard by most people, but they contain the energy and three-chord power that make Green Day so important to the genre they're at the forefront of. "Brain Stew/Jaded" is unique in that it's a punk rock epic, something not usually a part of thirty minute records, and shows Green Day can do more than just create two and three minute explosions that sometimes end too quickly. It's too bad MTV and other music stations no longer play the videos from the hits on INSOMNIAC because "Geek Stink Breath," "Brain Stew/Jaded," and "Walking Contradiction" contain sick and laughable scenes that only add to each song's explosiveness. Anyone who's a fan of Green Day needs this record, and it can also be said that those enjoying heavy metal or grunge rock bands like Creed and Godsmack will also be surprised that INSOMNIAC rocks harder than those bands do at many instances here. I'm definitely looking forward to the release of WARNING that I'm sure will only further solidify Green Day's status as one of America's most important rock bands.

I remember getting this cd way back in 1995. It was my 10th birthday party in December 95 and my best friend bought the cd for me. I went up to my room with my friends and put the cd in my cd player. I listened to the cd about 10 times that night, i was in love with this music i had never heard. That was when i first started getting into punk music and started playing the guitar. Now that I am 14, this cd still is an inspiration to me and the way i live. I think this cd is soooo much better than Dookie or Nimrod. The punk blasts out from you speakers and you instantly become mesmorized by the music and lyrics. It is pure 100% energy and makes you want to jump around and start singing along. Although Nimrod and Dookie are great cd's, this cd is always in my cd changer now along with Sublime's Selftitled cd. The screaming guitars and driving lyrics make my insides rumble. Eventhough it never met the sales of Nimrod or Dookie, I think it is the greatest Green Day cd and one of the greatest 32:56 ever produced by any band. Everybody should have this cd and i cant wait for WARNING: October 3rd. Thank you Green Day.