Review: Green Day, International Superhits! - Slant Magazine

When producer Rob Cavallo delivered the final masters for Green Day’s major label debut, Dookie, in late 1993, Warner Bros. execs assumed they were listening to a demo recording. Grittier and paced faster than any of alternative’s biggest releases, the album would go on to defy the already-evolving pop standard, selling the souls of bandmates Billie Joe, Michael Pritchard and Tre Cool, and effectively pissing off every wannabe-punk rocker in the nation. Still, there were no truer or more exhilarating words coming from the speakers of a suburban 15-year-old’s radio in 1994: “I got no motivation/Where is my motivation/No time for motivation/Smoking my inspiration!” The song, “Longview,” is one of five Dookie tracks featured on Green Day’s comprehensive International Superhits! The band’s first two major label releases, in fact, spawned more modern rock radio hits than one might initially recall (“Welcome To Paradise,” “She” and “Geek Stink Breath,” among others). Time-tested hits like “Basketcase,” “Brain Stew” and “Hitchin’ A Ride,” along with soundtrack contributions “JAR” and “Nice Guys Finish Last,” heartily display Green Day’s remarkable longevity. The album’s new offering, “Poprocks & Coke,” dishes out more of the maturated, acoustic-filled folk-punk that began with “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” and Warning (the most notable selection from that album, “Macy’s Day Parade,” aptly closes Superhits!). The collection’s only flaw is the omission of tracks representing the band’s pre-fame days.