I remember the day I bought this album. I was thirteen years of age, and the year was 1994. It was the fifth CD I've "ever" bought, and it totally spun my musical tastes into high gear, driving me to discover a world that I had never been exposed to. Along with Offspring "Smash," this was the first album I've ever bought that I felt I could identify with on a personal level. This album was the cure for boredom in the lifeless suburb I grew up in. My buddies and I would just sit around listening to this album for hours on end; everybody had it, no wonder it sold over 14 million copies.

"Dookie" was a case of accidental success, much like Nirvana's "Nevermind". The latter could be thanked for Green Day's success in many ways. Green Day hit at the right time, with the right sound. Reviving punk rock isn't the easiest task, but Green Day made it seem like child's play. At their core, the California based punk rock trio were masters at reviving the fast and catchy three-chord punk tunes that everyone's grown to love. Even though Green Day would never out sell "Dookie," their influence has reached the masses. These guys opened the door for a revival of punk metal, third wave ska and pop-punk. I'd venture to say that Green Day is the most influential band to come along in the mid nineties, second only to Nirvana.

It's a good thing pop music was better back then, than it is now; because it makes my stomach turn to hear good music mixed up with garbage. But Green Day was in good company back in 1994 (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Live, Stone Temple Pilots, Beastie Boys, The Offspring, etc.). Undoubtedly, everyone remembers "Longview," "Basket Case," and "When I Come Around". Those songs and videos were played around the clock on the radio and MTV, earning them diamond status. "Longview" was their first single off of the record, and a huge hit, thanks to it's raw bass line, heavy guitar, audacious attitudes, and catchy melodies. I feel sorry for the kids that have to put up with today's pop music. I feel pretty privileged growing up in the boom of grunge. It's not as great as the 60s or 70s, but a hell of a lot better than the pop music the new millennium has brought us. "Basket Case" was most definitely their most popular song of all time, maybe forever. It saturated the airwaves far more than it's predecessor, reaching a much larger audience. The same could be said about "When I Come Around", they simply kept topping themselves with bigger hits. Aside from the hits, there was also some great album tracks, such as the lovely "She" and "Pulling Teeth," and "Welcome To Paradise" (a re-recording of the same song off of their "Kerplunk" album) which also received airplay. This album was a defining moment in which I learned to appreciate a "full album" as opposed to single tracks. Ever since then I've been on the quest for the perfect album.

Another thing that I've always been obsessed with, is the album artwork. I had a large poster of the illustration hanging in my room that I'll never forget (since I lost it over time). Dogs throwing and launching crap at everyone, including Jesus. It was some pretty funny stuff; very punk.

I can say with pride, that these guys are still one of my favorite bands. I haven't missed a beat of their career, and thankfully, they still haven't made a bad record to this date. If you like any sort of rock music, I have no doubt that you will like this album.

i was a little skeptical about getting this album, because i was rather partial to Insomniac, which is a lot harder and angrier compared to Dookie. But i was pleasently surprised. though not as hard, it's full of what i like to call classic Green Day.

1) Burnout- Great song, i liked the drum part towards the end.

2) Having a Blast- my favorite song on the album, strong, angry, driving

3) Chump- i liked this one too. i don't mind the huge instrumental towards the end. it sounds cool.

4) Longview- very popular, but not my favorite. i liked the bass part

5) Welcome to Paradise- i honestly like the Kerplunk version better, but thats just me

6) Pulling Teeth- great lyrics, love this one

7) Basketcase- the classic. these lyrics are awesome

8) She- good song. good bass

9) Sassafras Roots- one of my favorites, Billie muses "so why are you alone wasting your time? you could be with ME wasting your time..."

10) When I Come Around- very true, wise song. some people consider it a ballad, but they're stupid. this is no ballad.

11) Coming Clean- a little short, but nevertheless true and timeless

12) Emenius Sleepus- really liked this one. awesome guitar part.

13) In the End- fast paced song about a guy apathetically mourning the loss of his girl to her own selfish tendencies. good song.

14) F.O.D.- one of the best on the album. starts out as an acoustic ballad and morphs into a hard angry rock song (F.O.D stands for 'F*ck Off and Die')

(**) "All By Myself"- okay, let's just say the first time i heard this, my first though was: 'what the HECK was that?!'

If you a fan of Green Day, get this cd. but don't forget to check out they're early stuff, Kerplunk and 1039 Smoothed Out Slappy Hour and such. you won't be disappointed.

Who are you people? Where did you come from?

Oh, I get it. American Idiot sells a bazillion copies and the kids who purchased it want to get into Green Day's older stuff. So, they purchase Dookie and fall in love. The band is a huge commodity all over again, and just like before, you get a hoarde of pretentious wankers trying to shove down your throat what constitutes as "real" music. How Green Day isn't punk. How you should get a Sex Pistols album. Blah, blah, blah. Conformity as nonconformity. I love it. Like the Sex Pistols are something obscure. Wannabe hipsters.

I hope you guys feel good about yourselves, 'cause Green Day fans obviously aren't listening to you. Do you feel cool and above-it-all by trashing this and other successful albums? I hope so. I'm proud of you. I really am. I'm so impressed with your knowledge of true punk music! How many Big Black albums did you say you own? None? Hmm... interesting.

It's loud, it's snotty and it's fun. It's poppy, but it's still punk rock. The Ramones? Pfeh. They've been trying to sell out since their first album; they just never crossed the finish line in time. But, their music is still great. And so is Green Day's. Don't let whatever's popular dictate YOUR tastes in music, you mindless sheep. See? It works both ways. BAAA!

Tables... turned. Owned. The lot of you.

This is the first major label release for Green Day, though it is the third full length album by the group. Still having the raw young punk vibe from the first albums, mixed with a greater craft skill that would keep them evolving with later albums, this is a great cd. It walks the fine line between those who like the early stuff and those who enjoy the more polished sound of today. I don't think they have matched the level they achieved with this album on anything except American Idiot, which is also fantastic from start to finish. This is a must have for any Green Day Fan. Also check out Pinhead Gunpowder for more of an older Green Day sound. Billie Joe is a member of Pinhead, so if it sounds like him, it is.

How anyone can say nimrod is better than this cd is beyond me. of all green day's cds to date, this one moves me more than any other. Every song on this cd is playable, and i never skip a song. Green day is my favorite band of ALL times and i will never get tired of this cd. I first saw "Longview" on MTV when i was 10 years old, and my mom woulnd't let me watch MTV after she saw it. Green day slipped from my mind as many things tend to do, and i didn't think about them again until Nimrod came out. WHen it did, i bought the cd without hearing any of the songs, and i thought it was great. Another year or so past, and as i was parusing the isles in my local music shop i came upon INSOMNIAC. I had heard some tracks before, and i decided to buy it. I was amazed. I went on a week long journey after that, and when i returned, i returned with DOOKIE in my hand. -HAHA. I then went and bought Kerplunk and 1003 smoothed out slappy hours. although good, these can't compare to dookie. i bought WARNING two weeks ago, and it's a great cd, but i cannot stress enough how much i love Dookie. I am probably listening to it as you read this. It has influenced me more than jjust about anything.