[Sarge]

Originally Posted by nikox1

i know Rick Brantley had written some of the songs before hand, he even recorded them i think? but that does not mean Meat was not looking for that type of song to fit hes story idea?

I don't think that he was specifically looking for that kind of songs from the beginning. I asked in another thread who exactly picked the songs / songwriters and why a particular song / songwriter was chosen. No one has been able to answer that question yet. It's also strange that he took songs that already existed, I already explained that that's usually not the way how a concept album is created. It's more like that ABBA musical - you take songs that have already been written and put them in a new context.

Originally Posted by nikox1

Peace on Earth fits right in with it? as does Living on the Outside? so there was clearly an idea before hand?

If someone had an idea, it was Brantley when he wrote the songs. Listen to his CDs and you'll notice that they sound more coherent than HCTB.

Originally Posted by nikox1

didnt Rob Cavallo say that he only wanted to keep 2 from the original 15?
so maybe the original songs didnt fit the story, hence Meat got people to write some new stuff.

Which would disprove what you said before about Meat allegedly already having a concept / story. At least it must have been a different concept in that case.

Originally Posted by nikox1

American Idiot and Hang Cool Teddy Bear are more similer than you think?

No, they aren't. Billie Joe had and idea and wrote songs supposed to convey it. Do you see one of the major differences now?

Originally Posted by nikox1

Meat usually never states any political views, well not in public anyway?

And he doesn't with HCTB either. HCTB ist not a political album. It doesn't hurt anybody. There is no political message. In fact, I think there is no message at all.

Originally Posted by nikox1

the lyrics are far darker than what is usually found on a Meat record.

I agree.

Originally Posted by nikox1

and the modern cd buying public in general are not very bright imo, you only have to look at the charts ,, they download 2 or 3 songs off an album.
so no they wouldnt have a clue what a concept album is?

Then I'm asking you a third time. Why bother to make a "concept" album, if you target a young, "stupid" audience?

Originally Posted by nikox1

HCTB was directed at a younger audience, and if it didnt work, well what can you do?

It didn't work because it hasn't been promoted in a way that appeals to young rock fans. There is no "coolness" factor, as The Doode would say.

Originally Posted by nikox1

but it was a new sound and image for Meat, and he took a risk?

Which is a bold move and I like that.

Originally Posted by nikox1

but if it sold 10m copies and had hit singles, the world would not say anything against it, it would be seen as a master stroke with or without bloody Patrick?

Maybe but it didn't sell that many copies. But I was not going to talk about sales or the quality of the album but discuss the question whether it's a concept album or not - and I stick to my opinion that it isn't.