American Idiot (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Green Day > Reviews > Green Day Are Back!!!!

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money

Advantages:	Its GREEN DAY !  !  !   * squeals *
Disadvantages:	None that I can think of

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

American Idiot is Green Day's return to the music world after their last release of International Superhits back in 2001. I liked many of the songs on their last album, although would not have really considered myself as a big fan of Green Day.

On the other hand, I totally love this album, although when I first heard it was not entirely a "huge" fan of Green Day although I did like most of their stuff. This album has developed my interest in Green Day and as a result, I'm soooo jealous I've missed out on tickets for the bands gig at Glasgow's SECC next year! :(

Anyway, on to the album

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TRACK LISTING
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1. American Idiot

A rather controversial track as it describes the American population, overall as idiots and generally picks bad points from the culture etc. Generally I'd say although, not directl focusing on Iraq and the war, but it's definetly thought upon. However, it's just a song, not meant to be totally downgrading for American's, let alone over analyzed, it is afterall just a song, pretty much just a bit of a joke. (These are just my thoughts, as to why I think it is controversial)

Really good track from the album, and defienetly a good first release from the album!

It's one of the faster paced tracks from the album, foucsing primarily on drums and guitar as the main instruments. Really good song, and on the intro you can tell immediatel ahhh its a Green Day song!

"don't wanna be an American idiot"

2. Jesus of Suburbia: Jesus of Suburbia/City of the Damned/I Don't Care/De

From the name I jus thought hmmm, Green Day, Jesus? Lol somethings just not quite adding up. This is also a really good track, a tad long, but is up there among my faves.

This is a little slower than America Idiot, I think the only downside to this track is that it's a bit long, other than that it's a real good track. (I think the time for the track is about 9:08minutes)

"there is nothing wrong with me, this is how I'm supposed to be, in a land of make belife that don't believe in me"

Other lyrics from this track, which I particularly liked are:

"They say home is where your heart is, but what a shame cos everyone's heart don't beat the same, it's beating outta time"

Considered these to be genearlly thought provking, it does make sense and just makes you think of the song that little deeper.

I think from the Jesus of Suburbia to the City of Dammed, it is basically two songs crammed into one. It's good and you do notice the change although all three tend to keep the same pace and so can come together as though one track.

The end part "I don't care" tends to get rather annoying, so up unitl this point I would listen, but then generally move on to the next track as by this point I'm just kinda tired of it. "I don't care" is repeated several times and I think this is why I get tired of it. Although overall it is a good track.

Just as you think the track is about to end.....

"Dearly beloved are you listening, I can't rmember a work that you were saying, are we demented or am I disturbed? The space that's inbetween insane and insecure"

This gives the track a fantastic ending, slowing the track right down in comparison to the intro, although the intro is slow in comparison to American Idiot. However, there is a loud drum solo and then stepped up with guitar backing and so the ending isn't as slow as you would think from first listening to it.

3. Holiday

This track starts with a guitar solo, really funky and almost makes you wanna jump up and dance.

Recently told by my boyfriend that this is a REALLY good track, not really knowing the track by name I decided to have a listen and immediately I was dancing. From the album this is definetly up there with my faves, so now I know the name and I'm all woooo fantastic stuff lol!

"Hear the drum pounding out of time,
Another protester has crossed the line,
To find the money's on the other side,
Can I get another Amen?(AMEN)
There's a flag wrapped around the score of men,
A gag,
A plastic bag on a monument"

This is a generally rhytmic song, and when listening to it, you could hear the steady drum beat throughout, whihc made me think of the army and of marching to such a steady beat, I think this is what this song is all about and it is well achieved.

4. Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Other than American Idiot, this was the second song from the album that I REALLY liked! Over the first few weeks of owning the album, I totally LOVED this song and had it on constantly. It's been on tv HEAPS, always on the music channels and now I'm gettin to the stage where I've just heard it too much. I will give it the odd listen, but don't wanna end up hating it as it is SUCH a fantastic track!!!

This is definetly another thought provoking track....

"My shadows the only one that walks beside me
My shallow hearts the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
Till then I walk alone"

5. Are We the Waiting

Again a steady paced track throughout, not one of my favourites, the repeated "are we, we are" kinda gets on my nerves. Overall an ok track, here's my fave lyrics from it:

"Forget me nots and second thoughts
Live in isolation
Heads or tails and fairytales in my mind"

6. St. Jimmy

Not a fantastic song from the album, it's enjoyable but definetly not one of the best. When playing the album, I will listen to it from time to time, generally tend to skip it though.

To be honest I strugged to find lyrics nevermind some good points about this track.

It's quite a quick track, foucising primarily on guitar beat accompanied by a very quick drum beat.

Still after just listening to it, no favourite lyrics from it, definetly a weaker track to the album me thinks.

7. Give Me Novacaine

Again another favourite from the album! This is a really good track, total Green Day style!

It starts off all slow, main instrument is the slowish yet still quick drumbeat.

"Drain the pressure from the swelling,
The sensations overwhelming,
Give me a long kiss goodnight and everything will be alright
Tell me that I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine "

Quite a slow track throughout, definetly one of my faves. It is in true Green Day style and just makes you think of many of their other songs which sound similar. I think if you heard this track on the radio, you could tell almost instantly that it's a Green Day song. REALLY GOOD!!!

8. She's a Rebel

Again, another good track, favourite lyrics include:

"She's the symbol
of resistance
and she's holding on my
heart like a hand grenade

is she dreaming
what I'm thinking
is she the mother of all bombs
gonna detonate"

This track is one of the faster selection from the album, overall a really enjoyable track, its paced but still quite quick.

Totally love the last verse before the second chorus:

"sings the revolution
the dawning of our lives
she brings the liberation
that I just cant define
nothing comes to mind"

Definetly one to listen to!

9. Extraordinary Girl

This has a REALLY weird intro. Made me think of Egypt and a kinda sahara theme song to some film, its just weird should belistened to,qutie cool but definetly weird lol. Slowish kinda drum beat which makes you think of bongos, hot air and sand....lol just listen to it you might see what I mean.

This song is ok, a slowish one for Green Day, I wouldn't say I dislike it although I wouldn't exactly say I totally favour it.

"She sees the mirror of herself
And image she wants to sell
To anyone willing to buy"

Kinda thought provoking for me.

10. Letterbomb

Weird intro, kinda like a kid singing.....

This song is ok, takes a while to get started after the kids intro and the guitar solo at the very start.

These would probably be my favourit lyrics from the song:

"Where have all the riots gone,
As the city's motto gets pulverized?
"What's in love is now in debt",
On your birth certificate"

A thought provoking song if you take it apart line by line, overall an ok song, wouldn't skip it straight away if it was playing but wouldn't flick through the CD to get to it either.

11. Wake Me Up When September Ends

A very slow intro, with just a guitar strumming before the lyrics begin.

"Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends

like my fathers come to pass
seven years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends"

From the lyrics you can almost feel the time of you in your mind, another thought provoking song. I like it, although kinda slow for Green Day and probably the slowest from the entire album.

12. Homecoming: The Death of St. Jimmy/East 12th St./Nobody Likes You/Rock

I'm not really a fan of this song at all, it starts off really slow and then picks up a bit just after about 30 seconds. Not a very good track, don't really like it, haven't really listened to it and just don't really wanna write about it. Linking back to St Jimmy, could be a possible failure for the track, but not one of the best.

13. Whatsername

I think this song starts off as thought a Blink 182 or possibly Bowling for Soup song. Just the guitar intro reminded me of both those bands.

This song makes you think of those people you went to school with, or when someone says do you know so and so, and you can only ever think of a face, this song kinda describes those thoughts.

"Seems that she disappeared without a trace,
Did she every marry old what's his face,
I made a point to burn all of the photographs,
She went away and then I took a different path,
I remember the face,
But I can't recall the name,
Now I wonder how whatsername has been"

A good track, slow in parts although towards the chorus and ending it is picked up by a quicker guitar beat and overal a good song.

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OVERALL
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Overall I did like the album, there is probably only one or two songs that I am not extremely fond of, I probably would listen to it all, not really any song in particular that I have to run from my seat to turn off. However, if the remote is handy and I don't like a song, wouldn't hesitate that way.

It's a true Green Day album, has made me more intested in the band despite those few songs that I wasn't a fan of.

This is the fist Green Day album I've actually owned, although having heard some of their other stuff.

After having this for a few weeks, I can assure you, I won't hesitate to get International Superhits, I REALLY liked that too!!

So, my conclusion is, if you like Green Day, you're bound to love this!