Description
Green Day: Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals, guitar); Mike Dirnt (vocals, bass instrument); Tre Cool (drums).
Recording information: Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, California.
Rock opera and punk are usually two mutually exclusive musical styles. Then again, Green Day has never followed any rock rulebook, so it's not entirely surprising that the trio crafted a punk-rock opera that takes the Bush administration and its policies to task. It doesn't get any more pointed than a couplet from the frenetic title cut that states, "I'm not a part of a redneck agenda/Now everybody do the propaganda!"
Under the guidance of any other group of agitated punks, the results of such an undertaking could easily become didactic. But with creative spearhead Billie Joe Armstrong at the helm, AMERICAN IDIOT is melodically driven, with the kind of intellectual bent that allows for a pair of mini-operas, "Jesus of Suburbia" and "Homecoming." Trimmed with a light sprinkling of piano and a big guitar sound occasionally reminiscent of Mott the Hoople, the former skewers the hypocrisy that can pervade small-town life. The latter is equally effective, as clever time changes and sonic flourishes (glockenspiel, doo-wop harmonies, honking saxophone) serve as an intriguing counterpoint to the band's hook-laced riffs.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Product Details
- Artist
- Green Day
- Recording Environment
- Studio
- Label / Studio
- WARNER BROTHERS
- CD WOW! Sales Rank
- #1040
- Media Content Format
- Album
- Original year of release
- 2004
- Media Format
- Audio CD
- Year of release
- 2004
- Number of Discs
- 1
- CD 30days Sales Rank
- #857
- Cast & Crew
- Green Day (Music Performer)
- Green Day (Producer)
- Rob Cavallo (Producer)
- Brian Vibberts (Sound Engineer)
- Doug McKean (Sound Engineer)
- Greg B (Sound Engineer)
Press Reviews
4 (out of 5) - "The most ambitious punk album since The Clash's Sandinista. Kerrang (09/10/06, p.48)
4 stars out of 5 - "[I]n AMERICAN IDIOT, they've recorded what could be their masterpiece, a 13-song, hour-long set that's both ambitious and expertly original. Mojo (p.106)
3 1/2 stars out of 5 - "On AMERICAN IDIOT, the thirteen tracks segue together, expanding into piano balladry and acoustic country shuffle....Green Day have found a way to hit their thirties without either betraying their original spirit or falling on their faces. Rolling Stone (p.186)
3 stars out of 5 - "The Berkeley trio's upbeat poppy punk - equally indebted to The Kinks as The Ramones - shows no signs of fatigue, but has now been put to blatantly political use. Uncut (p.119)
Tracklisting
Disc 1:
-
American Idiot
-
Jesus of Suburbia: Jesus of Suburbia / City of the Damned / I Dont Care / Dearly Beloved / Tales...
-
Holiday
-
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
-
Are We the Waiting
-
St. Jimmy: Are We the Waiting / St. Jimmy
-
Give Me Novacaine
-
Strange Conversations
-
Extraordinary Girl
-
Letterbomb
-
Wake Me Up When September Ends
-
Homecoming: The Death of St. Jimmy / East 12TH St. / Nobody Likes You / Rock and Roll Girlfriend ...
-
Whatsername
Customer Reviews
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
- Can listen over and over (8)
- Great lyrics (7)
- Hit songs (7)
- Original (5)
- Engaging (4)
Cons
Best Uses
- At home (9)
- Parties (9)
- In the car (6)
- Gift (5)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Adult (6), Young adult (4)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 10 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-10
Pros
- Can Listen Over And Over
- Great Lyrics
- Hit Songs
Cons
Best Uses
- At Home
- Parties
Comments about WARNER BROTHERS Green Day - American Idiot:
Not just some good singles, but a whole story.
Pros
- Can Listen Over And Over
- Great Lyrics
- Hit Songs
Cons
Best Uses
- At Home
- Parties
Comments about WARNER BROTHERS Green Day - American Idiot:
This album contains lots of tracks you'll know - and others that sound really good anyway! I love listening to this album and I hope you will too.
The harmonies on Blvd of broken dreams are fantastic.
Pros
- Can Listen Over And Over
- Engaging
- Great Lyrics
- Original
Cons
Best Uses
- At Home
- Parties
Comments about WARNER BROTHERS Green Day - American Idiot:
This is the first CD I have heard from Green Day. Their lyrics are awesome! Rich, meaningful and nice songs too:)
GREAT FAN OF GREEN DAY!!!
Pros
- Can Listen Over And Over
Cons
- Not What I Expected
Best Uses
- At Home
- Gift
- In The Car
- Parties
Comments about WARNER BROTHERS Green Day - American Idiot:
I think the CD is awesome, but it represents a change in Green Day´s style. So if you like the band´s former albums, maybe this could de dissapointing.
Service and delivery comments:
Fast and easy.
Pros
- Can Listen Over And Over
- Engaging
- Great Lyrics
- Hit Songs
- Original
Cons
- Lacks Hit Songs
- Not What I Expected
- Too Few Tracks
- Unoriginal
Best Uses
- At Home
- Gift
- In The Car
- Parties
Comments about WARNER BROTHERS Green Day - American Idiot:
A fantastic and original album.
There is a reason this was an instant classic on release!
Very punk with rebellion as the main theme.
The rock opera style gives this concept album a very original feel and takes the music to a new level of entertainment.
Pros
- Can Listen Over And Over
- Engaging
- Great Lyrics
- Hit Songs
- Original
Cons
Best Uses
- At Home
- Gift
- In The Car
- Parties
Comments about WARNER BROTHERS Green Day - American Idiot:
Green Day's super classic album. I like ...When September Ends very much!!!
What I received from CDWOW is EU ver
Pros
- Can Listen Over And Over
- Engaging
- Great Lyrics
- Hit Songs
- Original
Cons
Best Uses
- At Home
- Gift
- In The Car
- Parties
Comments about WARNER BROTHERS Green Day - American Idiot:
As we have long trips in the car we need something upbeat to keep our energy levels high. When I start to feel a little tired, I pull over and put this cd on. Its great, and the whole family love it!
Service and delivery comments:
Arrived super fast in excellent condition, Thanks Cd WOW
Pros
- Hit Songs
- Original
Cons
Best Uses
- At Home
- In The Car
- Parties
Comments about WARNER BROTHERS Green Day - American Idiot:
Good rock ablum with a few original hits.
Service and delivery comments:
Ordered Friday afternoon, arrived Tuesday morning. Can't ask for better than that.
Pros
- Can Listen Over And Over
- Good price value
- Great Lyrics
- Hit Songs
Cons
Best Uses
- At Home
- Gift
- In The Car
- Parties
Comments about WARNER BROTHERS Green Day - American Idiot:
Great to sing along to in the car or at home whilst relaxing with a beer or two. Title track is best at high volume.
Pros
- Full experience
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- "Everywhere"
Comments about WARNER BROTHERS Green Day - American Idiot:
Probably Green Dsy's best album.
Simply perfect!
Displaying reviews 1-10
