American Idiot (Limited Edition/Parental Advisory) [PA] - Green Day

.../> Green Day are an American punk rock three some (Billy Joe Armstrong, vocals and guitar, Mike Durst, bass and Tre Cool on drums). They generated a massive world wide fan base from thier million selling debut Dookie and have followed with three other studio albums. The last one, warning only recieved moderate reviews from both critics and fans alike. Plus with the added pressures of band life Green day decided to take some time out, a signal for ...
...than thier earlier work, the American Idiot LP is a welcome return to the Punkish teenage-ansked music that made them so popular. The recent events of the world (Sept 11, Iraq, terrorism) have influenced Billy Joe's writting imensly. Suddenly it appears like he is writting with fire in his belly again. He feels passionatly about the world's problems and he wants the world to hear in the only way he knows - by telling it like it is, no matter what ... more

Following a comment left by a fellow reviewer claiming Green day are not a real punk band I felt as though I had to let off some steam and justify why this is one of my favourite albums of all time.

Green Day are an American punk rock three some (Billy Joe Armstrong, vocals and guitar, Mike Durst, bass and Tre Cool on drums). They generated a massive world wide fan base from thier million selling debut Dookie and have followed with three other studio albums. The last one, warning only recieved moderate reviews from both critics and fans alike. Plus with the added pressures of band life Green day decided to take some time out, a signal for many that maybe thier time was up (they even released the infamous greatest hits which is never a good sign). However in true punk style, Green Day have blown thier doubers away with a high energy, well written album which I believe will come to be known as thier seminal record. I just don't see how music gets much better than this.

Overall I would say that, although more highly produced than thier earlier work, the American Idiot LP is a welcome return to the Punkish teenage-ansked music that made them so popular. The recent events of the world (Sept 11, Iraq, terrorism) have influenced Billy Joe's writting imensly. Suddenly it appears like he is writting with fire in his belly again. He feels passionatly about the world's problems and he wants the world to hear in the only way he knows - by telling it like it is, no matter what the consequences. There are a number of political references but none so blatent to those aimed at George W Bush and it does not take a genious to realise just who was the inspiration for the album's name. I once read somewhere that the youth of today were crying out for a new band to appear that will speak out for thier views and express how they feel about the world in its current climate. I, like that particular music mag, was suprised to hear Green Day as this new political voice: but I think it explains just why this album has become so popular.

Although I think every song on here is of the highest quality i just want to review a few of the songs in greater detail because I think the best summerise just what this album symbolises.

Track listing

American Idiot

The title track to the album opens just as you would expect a Punk classic to: with a fast pace heavy guitar rift that is highly infectious. Not suprisingly this song is an indication of Billy Joe distancing himself from the views of G W Bush. I never fail to get excited when I hear this song because of its raw energy. I still have it as my ring tone and it is always stuck in my head.

Jesus of suberbia

A very interesting song in that it is better described as 5 movements strung together in one piece. Again the subject material focuses on current society and the problems of growing up such as drugs, rejection etc. The contrast of fast and slow tempos here really helps to convay the songs message and shows just how far Green Day have progressed with thier song writting skills

Holiday

Another single from the album. This track could again be considered as a bit risky as it questions corperal punishment and even references the nazi holocaust and ridicules a certain californian senetor. You can always trust Green Day to say what they feel no matter how controversial, which is what I love about them

Boulavard of Broken Dreams

This track is possibly my favourite one of the album. It epitamises the loss and dispare you feel when you are on your own. The tempo of the song is reduced and Billy Joe's voice is at its most powerful.

Shes a rebel

At just over two minutes this song is short and sharp but an absoulte gem. Its high tempo and guitar rifts just make you want to jump around

Wake me up when september ends.

This track recieved an awful lot of radio and music video time but I have still not got tired of it. I think that the pogniant description of the pain associated with loss (and a very moving anti-war video to accompany it) made this a very special song for a lot of people.

Whats her name

Foe me this is a very under-rated song and i believe it should have been one of the single releases. I love the way it starts of slowly, with the vocal performance taking centre stage. Then in typical Green day style the bass and guitars kick in to really generate feeling and emotion. I also find the songs concept extremely interesting as it is a love song about a girl that has now moved on, yet her name is never mentioned. Its as though she was loved without anybody knowing who she really was.

I purchased the special edition version of the album (not the later release with video DVD) which was packaged with the same design but in a cardboard cover. Apart from a small booklet full of pictures and song lyrics it is no different to the standard first release. I only bought it on the off chance it might become a collectors item in years to come.

Overall this album is an absoute modern classic that will appeal to fans of both the punk / rock genre and more general music fans. In my opinion music of this quailty and emotion can span across different musical tastes and I challange anybody to find at least one song on here that they can not associate with. Summary: A modern classic, one of my favourite albums of all time 

...less