Green Day - American Idiot
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Green DayBrand: Green
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Format: Explicit Lyrics
Published: 2004
CD Release Date: 2004-09-21
Music Label: Reprise Records
Product features:
- GREEN DAY AMERICAN IDIOT
- American Idiot
- Jesus of Suburbia
- City Of The Damned
- I Don't Care
- Dearly Beloved
- Tales Of Another Broken Home
- Holiday
- Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
- Are We The Waiting
- St. Jimmy
- Give Me Novacaine
- She's a Rebel
- Extraordinary Girl
- Letterbomb
- Wake Me Up When September Ends
- The Death Of St. Jimmy
- East 12th St.
- Nobody Likes You
- Rock and Roll Girlfriend
- We're Coming Home Again
- Whatsername
Free Music Notes for American Idiot
Free Music Review: Absolutely Amazing
Hit: 5 Stars
This was the first CD of Green Day's that I've ever owned, and it's initiated my current obsession with them. After receiving 'American Idiot' as a birthday gift, I've purchased 'Dookie', 'Insomniac', 'Nimrod', 'Warning', and 'International Superhits'. I'm still missing their first two albums (which weren't major label releases) and their collection of B-Sides. Those three are first on my "wishlist" and I'm hoping to buy them as soon as I can come up with the money. But back to the album; I definitely hear a huge difference between their earlier releases and 'American Idiot'. Though I don't prefer it to 'Nimrod', it's definitely better than 'Warning'. It could arguably be considered better than 'Dookie' or 'Insomniac', depending on whether the listener prefers a more punk sound or a more rock sound. No matter whether you prefer old Green Day or "new" Green Day, this is not an album to be missed.
'American Idiot' begins with the title track, which was the first single to drop from the album. The song was overplayed where I am, but I'm still not sick of it (amazing!). The lyrics include some smart plays on words, and could offend some people, but shouldn't. They're basically calling out the fact that America has been living in a constant state of fear and is being "controlled by the media". It clearly bashes George W. Bush, but never actually calls him out. Both subtle and brash, this is an amazing track. The second track is the first of the two nine minute songs on the album. Within both of these rock operas are five smaller songs. The first here is 'Jesus of Suburbia'. This one has a good beat and strong lyrics. I didn't like it immediately, but it's become one of my favourites off of the album. It merges seamlessly into 'City of the Damned' the vocals slow down a bit, but it's definitely not a slow track. Billie Joe sounds rather sad, which makes sense as the lyrics are somewhat depressing. Things speed up again with 'I Don't Care'. At the beginning of this mini-song, the vocals are quite drawn out before jumping into angry yelling. 'Dearly Beloved' comes in smoothly thanks to Tre Cool switching his drumming from loud pounding, to softer, more rhythmic beats. I also really like the bass (thanks to Mike Dirnt) at the beginning. This is one of the catchiest mini-songs from the rock operas. It could have been cheesy, but the guys managed to pull it off and it sounds amazing. 'Tales From Another Broken Home' finishes off the first nine minute tracks from 'American Idiot' beautifully. it's not too fast or slow, the lyrics are awesome, and all the vocals (lead and back-up) are amazing. Nearing the end it slows down, before speeding up right at the end for an amazing finish.
'Holiday' is the most upbeat song off of the album and the third single to drop from it. This is probably my favourite song from 'American Idiot'. The lyrics are flawless, as are the vocals and instrument arrangements. I really like Tre's drums right after the chorus begins to fade away and he picks the pace up again. After about two minutes and 25 seconds or so, the song is interrupted with a little yelling rant from Billie Joe, with some vocal help from Tre and Mike. The music video for this single is also visually stunning. It was like the guys tried to jam as much stuff as they could into one four minute clip. If that isn't enough to make you want to see it, seeing Tre dressed as a woman and a priest should hopefully persuade you. Back to the album, 'Holiday' merges flawlessly into 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams', which was basically the song that wouldn't go away. Thankfully, even though this track was ridiculously overplayed, I'm still not sick of it. At the beginning of the song you can hear vocal echoes in the background if you listen closely. This is a good song, but not an amazing masterpiece. I think the reason it was so overplayed was because basically everyone likes it. It's not age, gender, race, or whatever specific, so it appeals to a mass audience. Rather than speeding up after a mid-tempo track, the album actually slows down even more with 'Are We The Waiting'. It begins with slow, sort of all-over-the-place drums before the guitar, bass, and vocals come in. I really like the heart wrenching lyrics, and the chorus seems anthem-like with Billie Joe, Tre, and Mike all singing together as though they're yelling from a distance.
I'd definitely say that 'St. Jimmy' is the most "punk" song on the album. The intro is awesome, with a great build up before the vocals really start. The beat is also one of the best on the album. I dare anyone to listen to the song all the way through and still not be tapping their feet along by the end. After about two minutes, the rhythm changes quite significantly, but still subtly before the song finishes off with a bang. 'Give Me Novacaine' (yes, it's spelt "novacaine" on the album, not "novocain") has quickly become a favourite among those who own the album. It slows down quite dramatically after 'St. Jimmy', but it's not a ballad, it's a mid-tempo track. There are some great riffs on this song, coupled with strong vocals and somewhat repetitive (but not in a bad way) lyrics. All in all, this is definitely a standout track. 'American Idiot' speeds up once more with another "punk" influenced track, 'She's A Rebel'. It's still a far cry from Green Day's older work though, with much more mature harmonies which would be extremely out of place on an album like 'Dookie'. The lyrics also refer to the album's cover art, when Billie Joe sings that the girl in the song is "holding on my heart like a hand grenade".
Turning around and taking a different spin, 'Extraordinary Girl' is probably the most pop-influenced track on the CD. In fact, it would fit in quite well on 'Warning'. This is a good song which I really enjoy, but I'd still say it's probably the weakest point in the album. Not because it's bad, but because it doesn't fit in well enough with the album's overall theme, the production was off on this one. 'Letterbomb' begins with an amateur recording of a girl singing "Nobody likes you/Everyone left you/They're all out without you/Having fun" (which we'll also hear later in the album) before the music starts. This is a catchy song with strong lyrics, but nothing too outstanding. However, the chorus is quite strong, and almost too appealing, as I always seem to get it stuck in my head. The guys certainly do know how to write catchy hooks, that's for sure. 'Wake Me Up When September Ends' is a ballad and the slowest song on the album. It begins with just a soft acoustic guitar and vocals from Billie Joe. The lyrics are obviously very personal, but can still be interpreted differently by different listeners. The song speeds up after about a minute and 30 seconds with the use of more instruments. I absolutely love the sad/sweet lyrics; "Here comes the rain again/Falling from the stars/Drenched in my pain again/Becoming who we are".
Coming to the second of the nine minute tracks, this one consists of five "mini-songs" as well. First is 'The Death of St. Jimmy'. It begins with just an electric guitar and vocals before some heavy foot-stomping speeds the track up and merges the bass and drums in. This is an awesome, catchy track. It's hard to pinpoint exactly where 'East 12th St.' begins. Some questions are asked at the beginning before really starting into the mini-song, which experiments with different rhythms. In 'Nobody Likes You' we hear the lyrics which began 'Letterbomb' reemerge. The lyrics to this track were written by Mike, and they're very catchy, this is one of my favourite points in 'American Idiot'. The mini-song begins with church-bells and is sung in an almost frightening rhythmic tone. The drums are awesome, reminding me of soldiers marching into battle. 'Rock And Roll Girlfriend' was written by Tre, and it makes me laugh. There's a trumpet, but it doesn't sound out of place, and I'm sure many people wouldn't even notice a change if they weren't listening for it. It basically consists of yelling vocals trying to get someone to "get off of my case". Closing off the nine minute epic is 'We're Coming Home Again'. The beat is really awesome on this one. It's very catchy, and the lyrics are simple and repetitive. The vocals and harmonies are drawn out and suit the music perfectly, which makes the song flawless. The drums and background vocals really build up action nearing the end before slowing down once more to finish off the song. 'Whatsername' is the last track. It's a sweet, mid-tempo track, and one of my favourites. It has mass appeal as it's simple, but well-done. It deals with memories and regrets, and is perfect because it's not overly sugar-coated or weepy. My favourite part would be with the lyrics; "I made a point to burn all of the photographs". There are a few great riffs which are much louder and angrier than the rest of the track, but don't sound out of place at all. Billie Joe's vocals really speed up at those points and sound amazing.
I'd definitely say that everyone out there needs this record. There's no question that this was the best mainstream album released in 2004. It received Rock Album of the Year at the Grammys, and should have won Album of the Year as well. If you're a fan of Green Day, this is different from their previous releases, but not in a bad way. They're growing up, and they're moving in a fantastic direction. This is more rock than any of their older work, but it works well for them. Their brave approach to this album shows not only that they love music, but that they actually know what they're doing. If you don't own 'American Idiot' go out and buy it now. There's no doubt in my mind that everyone should have this album.
THE FINAL VERDICT: 99%
American Idiot Poster
The first original album since 2000 from modern rock superheroes Green Day, American Idiot is one of the most anticipated and controversial albums of the year. Scathing yet self-effacing as it tells the tale of Green Day?s Billie Joe Armstrong, American Idiot is the punk rock epic. "A bold, polished punk opera." (Entertainment Weekly) "They're the biggest, most successful, punk band the world has ever seen. What's more, Green Day's next album may well be their masterpiece." (Kerrang!)For its first new set of music since 2000's Warning, Green Day tears up the blueprint and comes up with something unexpected: a punk rock concept album built around elaborate melodies, odd tempo changes, and a collection of songs that freely reference classic rock warhorses like the Beatles and Pink Floyd. "She's a Rebel" and "St. Jimmy" might sound like vintage Green Day, but the rest of the disc finds the Northern California trio trying on a variety of different guises: "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" is a cliché-strewn Foo Fighters-style power ballad; "Extraordinary Girl" floats on Indian strings; and the hushed "Wake Me Up When September Ends" wouldn't sound entirely out of place on a Jessica Simpson record. It doesn't always work. "Dearly Beloved" eerily resembles the Alarm's "68 Guns," while the title track eerily resembles something Green Day has already done far too many times. But, overall, American Idiot represents a promising step forward. --Aidin Vaziri
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