Album of the Day

Green Day followed up the massive success of their Reprise debut with 1995's INSOMNIAC. As with DOOKIE, the collection was co-produced by Rob Cavallo and is packed to the gills with infernally catchy pop-punk. Where it differs from its predecessor is its darker tone, with more metallic instrumental work and occasionally downbeat lyrics – when singer Billie Joe Armstrong reflects on the post-fame reception to the band's music in "86," there's more hurt than pride. Nonetheless, such memorable singles as "Geek Stink Breath," "Stuck With Me" and "Walking Contradiction" made the album a fan favorite and a double-Platinum hit. Armstrong was born on this day in 1972, and we'll celebrate the birthday by spinning INSOMNIAC into the wee hours.