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It seems like an age since Green Day last graced us with an original album, not made up of their previous hits or B-sides; whilst "International Superhits" was a good compilation of their singles, the original material on offer was a paltry two songs.
"American Idiot" reverts back to post-"Warning" Green Day, with fewer bizarre interludes. Whilst "Warning" was a strong album, it did seem to digress away from the true nature of Green Day, though it did spawn the fantastic "Minority". Opening with the title track, which everyone must have heard by now unless they have been dwelling in a box for the last few months, you realise that Green Day are indeed back on form. The second track may come as something of a surprise; split into five distinct sections, riff-packed catchy tunes are followed by slightly down-tempo, more introspective tunes before picking up and whizzing off at speed once again. The third track, "Holiday", is again a "classic" Green Day track, with pounding guitars and a melody that'll stick in your head as effectively as a radio jingle, though admittedly with far less irritation.
Without going into detail about every nuance of the CD, I think it's enough to say that although the album is a return to form as far as their style is concerned, lyrically Green Day have moved on. Whilst Billie Joe has previously penned lyrics about drugs and masturbation (especially if you hark back to "Dookie"), "American Idiot" moves on to a hatred for Bush's America, and brings back their subversive element. Structurally, this album is the most ambitious album they have yet produced, with two mini punk-operas in the form of "Jesus of Suburbia" and "Homecoming" forming the core of the album, and the album as a whole chronicling the year of a fictional character with a somewhat double personality. Green Day leap from genre to genre whilst maintaining their roots, from the poignant acoustic "Wake Me Up When September Ends" through to the punk aggression of "St Jimmy".
Personally, this is my favourite Green Day album yet- whilst progressive and ambitious, it maintains musically what they do best- punk rock you can mosh to. Here's hoping their live shows are as amazing as the album.
"American Idiot" reverts back to post-"Warning" Green Day, with fewer bizarre interludes. Whilst "Warning" was a strong album, it did seem to digress away from the true nature of Green Day, though it did spawn the fantastic "Minority". Opening with the title track, which everyone must have heard by now unless they have been dwelling in a box for the last few months, you realise that Green Day are indeed back on form. The second track may come as something of a surprise; split into five distinct sections, riff-packed catchy tunes are followed by slightly down-tempo, more introspective tunes before picking up and whizzing off at speed once again. The third track, "Holiday", is again a "classic" Green Day track, with pounding guitars and a melody that'll stick in your head as effectively as a radio jingle, though admittedly with far less irritation.
Without going into detail about every nuance of the CD, I think it's enough to say that although the album is a return to form as far as their style is concerned, lyrically Green Day have moved on. Whilst Billie Joe has previously penned lyrics about drugs and masturbation (especially if you hark back to "Dookie"), "American Idiot" moves on to a hatred for Bush's America, and brings back their subversive element. Structurally, this album is the most ambitious album they have yet produced, with two mini punk-operas in the form of "Jesus of Suburbia" and "Homecoming" forming the core of the album, and the album as a whole chronicling the year of a fictional character with a somewhat double personality. Green Day leap from genre to genre whilst maintaining their roots, from the poignant acoustic "Wake Me Up When September Ends" through to the punk aggression of "St Jimmy".
Personally, this is my favourite Green Day album yet- whilst progressive and ambitious, it maintains musically what they do best- punk rock you can mosh to. Here's hoping their live shows are as amazing as the album.
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