I started following the band Green Day sometime when the album Dookie came out. I liked the album so much that I decided to go out and buy Kerplunk, an older album by the band. I got home, very excited about my new Green Day CD. I popped it in the stereo, listened through the whole album once, and put it on my CD rack. Until a few days ago, I had forgotten I even had the CD. So, in all fairness, I listened to it again to give it another chance. The following review is my first (and second) impressions of the CD, as well as a list of the songs.

Background
The album Kerplunk was released in 1991. The only full length album produced by the band before '91 was 39/Smooth. Both Kerplunk and 39/Smooth were produced by Lookout! Records, a local record company that liked Green Day's style. The members of the band are Billy Joe Armstrong (vocals and guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), and Tre Cool (drums). Before Kerplunk was released, Green Day's success was primarily local. After the release, however, Green Day began to get an underground following which led to their signing with the more prominent Reprise Records. They became a household name only after Dookie was released, but since this article is about Kerplunk, that does not matter.

Why I bought this album
The truth is, I was in a record store with $15, and I was still not over the success Dookie, which was by far my favorite album at the time. So, I bought Kerplunk, hoping to hear the same kind of music as I heard in Dookie. However, I had definitely misjudged what the album would be like.

Songs (Just skip this whole section if you don't care. I put it here for those who do care.)

2000 Light Years Away
"I hold my breath and close my eyes and . . .
Dream about her
Cause she's 2000 light years away
She holds my malakite so tight so...
Never let go
Cause she's 2000 light years away
Years Away!"
A typical song, about love (or a lack of it). Nothing new or exciting. The beat is okay, and the background music is good. The drums are really what kept me listening to the song, not the lyrics.

One for the Razorbacks
"Look this direction, I know it's not perfection, it's just me...
I want to bring you up again now"
A little different, a kind of a happier song. Not really their style, but hey, not bad.

Welcome to Paradise
"Dear mother,
Can you hear me whining?
It's been three whole weeks
Since that I have left your home
This sudden fear has left me trembling
Cause now it seems that I am out here on my own
And I'm feeling so alone"
Back to the Green Day style we all know and love, the group talking about its problems with some great background music and a good tone to boot.

Christie Road
Terrible song, it's much slower than most of their songs, and really is not their style.

Private Ale
The opposite of Christie Road, too fast and not entertaining.

Dominated Love Slave
A fake voice, dumb song, guitar sounds like a banjo.

One of My Lies
"Do you think you're indestructible
And no one can touch you
Well I think you're disposable
And it's time you knew the truth..." Depressing song with a beat that takes you away from the depressing lyrics and just sounds good.

80 and Android
Sound just like their other stuff but without the good beats and background music.

No One Knows
Way too slow and boring.

Who Wrote Holden Caulfield and Words I Might Have Ate
Sounds very soft compared to their other songs, not slow paced, but they just don't sound right.

Sweet Children
"Sweet young boy plays with her brain Lydia'll bring to life
What are your chance not to oblige
Putting his hand on her thigh"
Kind of a sick song named after the band's original name, Sweet Children.

Best Thing in Town
Once again it just doesn't sound right. It's hard to explain, but you really can't get into this song.

Strangeland
Pretty cool song, not one of my favorites, but not terrible.

My Generation
Sounds different, but I like it. I think this is one of the best songs on the entire CD.

In Conclusion
This CD is not really worth it unless you are a hard core Green Day fan. I'm not talking about their newer stuff, I mean you have to be a fan of their older stuff to like it. In other words, if the only Green Day songs you have heard are Minority and Basket Case, this CD is not for you.

Recommended: No

Great Music to Play While: Hanging With Friends