American Idiot (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Green Day > Reviews > The representative from California has the Floor!

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	exhilerating punk opera, over an hour's worth of music, blinding melodies and exhilerating guitars .
Disadvantages:	none !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

From first single "American Idiot" the world was in no doubt of the vein Green Day's new album would be taking. From the band whose previous material included songs about heartbreak, masturbation, insanity and individuality, it is this album that cements their status as spokesmen for a generation. With reports on the mystery surrounding the loss of their original new album, it was pure inspiration and fate which brought this album into being and thank god it did! Frequently cited as a "rock opera" "American Idiot" serves as a chronicle of twenty-first century America, featuring political disillusionment, excess, heartache, loneliness, alienation and loss. The album is about the journey of a figure (the "Jesus of Suburbia") who is dissatisfied with his origins and leaves "Jingle Town" to move to the excess of the city (New York) where he meets a junkie named Saint Jimmy and a girl referred to as "Whatsername". However with the city nearly destroying him Jesus returns home reflecting on those he has lost.

The sleeve that accompanies the album assists with the story telling providing a timescale and presenting some songs as letters and postcards.

American Idiot. A fitting introduction to the album with its frantic riff and cutting lyrics it sums up the state of America and its obsession with the media and its paranoia over terrorism.
Maybe I'm the faggot America,
I'm not a part of a Redneck agenda,
Now everybody do the propaganda!
And sing along to the age of paranoia.

Jesus of Suburbia. On the first listen of the album once the already familiar American Idiot is out the way, it is this song, at the switch between "Jesus of Suburbia" and "City of the Damned" that you realise that this is a classic album. The nine minute romp of five songs mixed together in a swirling medley is reminiscent of a show tune. This is the introduction of the main character and his life in Jingle Town USA "in the land of make-believe that don't believe in me". Complaining that "everyone's… born and raised by hypocrites" Jesus leaves his home to "find what to believe".

Holiday. The most overtly political track on the album the sleeve notes detail that "Holiday" is set in the city. The track features an attack on the Bush administration, placing the story in its context and including the albums defining moment when "the representative of California has the floor"
Zieg Hiel to the president gasman
Bombs away is your punishment
Pulverize the Eiffel Towers
Who criticise your government.

Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Often described as the hangover following the excess of "Holiday", "Boulevard of broken Dreams" is an eloquent account of loneliness in the city seeped in alienation and longing, and marks the first reflective moment of the album.
My shadow's the only one who walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone.

Are We the Waiting. Following on from "Boulevard…" "Are we the Waiting" juxtaposes the beauty of the city with a premonition of its fiery demise. The song reflects on the main character's status in the world and declares the Jesus of Suburbia is a lie. A moment of contemplation, "Are We the Waiting" serves as the lull before the storm.
This dirty town was burning down in my dreams
Lost and found city bound in my dreams.

St Jimmy. Introducing the character of Saint Jimmy in a throbbing 3 minute thrash, it cements him as the representative of the twenty-first century American city.
Raised in the city under a halo of lights
The product of war and fear that we've been victimised.

Give me Novacaine. Another hangover song, "Give me Novacaine" is a soft acoustic strum punctuated with fierce throbbing power chords. Starts as a hangover cure and goes on to try and induce one. At this point Jesus in under Jimmy's influence.
I get the funny feeling and that's alright
Jimmy says it's better than here
Drain the pressure from the swelling
This sensation's overwhelming.

She's a Rebel. The introduction of Whatsername to the story, "She's a Rebel" speaks for itself. A whirling melodic number which is over in a flash.
She sings the revolution
The dawning of our lives
She brings this liberation
That I just can't define.

Extraordinary Girl. A song of empathy highlighting the vulnerability behind the rebellious Whatsername, it also shows the parallel lives of her and Jesus and the despair they feel.
She's all alone again
Wiping the tears from her eyes
Some days he feels like dying
She gets so sick of crying.

Letterbomb. The turning point of the album as all hell breaks loose in the city and the characters' lives disintegrate. Largely presented as a letter from Whatsername to Jesus, the song is a mass of confusion beginning with a taunting children's chant and concluding "You're not the Jesus of Suburbia, The St. Jimmy is a figment of your father's rage and your mother's love." The song ends with the departure of Whatsername.
This city's burning
"It's not my burden"
She said "I can't take this place I'm leaving it behind"

Wake me up When September Ends. A fragile song about loss and a passing period of despair. A beautiful melody with intricate acoustic guitar, "Wake me up When September Ends" is said to be partly about the character's loss of Whatsername, the death of Billie Joe Armstrong's father, and partly what he believes is the real turning of the year. The end of summer symbolises the end of the excess of the last few tracks and the characters' time in the city.
As my memory rests
But never forgets what I lost…
Here comes the rain again
Falling from the stars

Homecoming. Another nine-minute showdown, homecoming is a narrative which ties up Jesus' time in the city with the death of saint Jimmy. With the realisation that he is alone he returns home. Within the five songs which make up the medley are a song by Mike Dirnt and another by Tre Cool.
You taught me how to live in the streets of shame
Where you've lost your dreams in the rain…
Get me out of here right now
This lifelike dream ain't for me…
Left me here alone when I should have stayed home…
We're back in the Barrio
But to you and me, that's Jingle Town.

Whatsername. The album ends on a poignant note. Jesus, back at home, reflects on his time with Whatsername. The finale builds up and brings the album to an emotional climax.
I must confess, the regrets are useless
She's in my head
From so long ago and in the darkest night
If my memory serves me right
I'll never turn back time
Forgetting you, but not the time.

American Idiot is a musically exhilarating rock opera fuelled with religious imagery, politics and elements of autobiography. There are those who say Green Day have lost their punk edge but this in fact is real, traditional punk, revolutionary, political and life affirming. Also if concept albums aren't your thing put it on random and it's an amazing collection of songs with insightful lyrics and strong sing along melodies.
Overall: punk has returned.