- Audio CD (31 Aug 2004)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Single, Import
- Label: Reprise
- ASIN: B0002T7ZKW
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 165,623 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Review
Listening to Green Day's rendition of Queen's "We Are The Champions" at Reading Festival this year, it seemed unimaginable that the same trio of hyperactive upstarts responsible for 1994's Dookie could take on stadium rock and get away with it. But, after listening to American Idiot, it makes perfect sense for the Californian punks to adopt Freddie Mercury's rally call for their own cause; if ever there were a time for the suburbs of America to unite against ennui and apathy, it seems, that time is now. Power to the people...
That, essentially, is the crux of American Idiot, Green Day's seventh studio album. Four years in the making, it's the story of the alienated, de-motivated Average Joe living under Bush's administration and the American media. 'Where have all the riots gone?' frontman Billie Joe Armstrong sings, '...the television's an obstructionist.' As far as content is concerned then, the album's political discontent is nothing new; topical, sure, and undoubtedly poetic, but not groundbreaking.
In terms of shape and form however, American Idiot takes an audacious leap from today's pack of punk-poppers. It's a narrative driven 'concept' album framed by two nine-minute, five-part tracks. Rather like T.S. Eliot's epic modernist poem The Waste Land, the album's fragmentary, hazy story revolves around several enigmatic characters, held together by themes and images that recur throughout its thirteen songs. The tales of "Jesus of Suburbia", "St. Jimmy" and "Whatsername" are loosely woven together, united by 'rage and love'.
Musically, Green Day have matured beyond belief since their debut LP, 39/Smooth (1990). Their trademark power-chord beef and manic drumming may now be tempered from time to time by the sound of church bells, piano and glockenspiel(!), but the band have never sounded so damn vast. "Are We The Waiting" resounds with jaw-dropping, eye-watering beauty, while the centrepiece harmony four minutes into "Jesus Of Suburbia" sends an inspirational shiver up the spine. In fact, only on "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" do Green Day trip up - tone down the distortion and exchange Billie Joe's adenoidal vocal for Liam Gallagher's and the track could easily belong to Oasis.
This isn't the first time that punk-rock has transcended its three chord, two-minute boundaries. Sew together American Idiots two nine-minute bookends and you'll equal NOFX's 18-minute epic The Decline (1999). Nevertheless, this is truly inventive and emotive stuff, and arguably Green Day's best work to date. Champions, indeed. --Richard Banks
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best rock song ever!,
By brigadier (sheffield) - See all my reviews
This review is from: American Idiot [CD 2] (Audio CD)
Although i only bought this for the two extra tracks American Idiot is still one of the best rock songs ever. It's fast upbeat guitar and drums are brilliant and the lyrics are just as good.
The two extra tracks now nearly complete my green day collection. Those were the only reason i wanted this CD and i wasn't expecting anything too great but i was greatly suprised at how fantastic they both are. Shoplifter really does show the transaction between Warning and American Idiot. Its rhythm sounds like it should be on warning but the lyrics sound American Idiot style. Governator is just as good. it obviously is having a go at Arnie with the lyrics 'Ill be back'. All three track are as good as each other.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Anthem For The Youth - The Anthem of 2004,
By Chris C "manxdude87" (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
This review is from: American Idiot [CD 2] (Audio CD)
American Idiot is Green Day's biggest record to date, entering number one in both sides of the atlantic, and the title track has a lot to do with that fact.Peaking at a remarkable 3rd place in the UK charts, American Idiot is a near 3 minute slice of pure punk adrenaline, with Bush baiting lyrics. Not only was it a huge return to the distorted sound after the acoustic masterpiece 'Warning', it has a great riff, and it proved they can do a song about American culture better than any band out there right now. Here we also find two previously unreleased tracks, Shoplifter and Governator. Shoplifter is a very quick nippy singalong number and not very political compared to the others. The other song Governator is quite a remarkable track, once again being very political it delivers a strong statement (Run and hide, we're all gonna die, and let the vultures pick a part what's left). I'm also convinced that Tim Armstrong makes a guest appearance on there as well. Do i really need to say anymore about this single??? Buy It Now!! :-)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.2 out of 5 stars (33 customer reviews) 6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Purchase,
By G. Ventura - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: American Idiot - Swe, 2 (Audio CD)
Green Day is back to their old roots (not to say I didn't love Warning) with their new single American Idiot. It's a pure punk rock anthem with great drums a strong message and an addictive chorus. Kerrang said Green Day have rarely sounded this good; I'd say they've never sounded so good.
Too Much Too Soon is a good rock 'n roll song with Green Day's punk rock vibe pumped into it. The lyrics are not political and go back to old Green Day ("Now it sucks to be you"..."I hope you rest in peices") Very cool song. I've also heard the song Letterbomb from American Idiot (the album) and I can't wait to hear what Kerrang calls "Green Day's Masterpiece." 8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
First single sounds promising,
By eric_f - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: American Idiot - Swe, 2 (Audio CD)
"American Idiot," the first single off Green Day's upcoming new album, is a hint that they've gone back to their roots. This song could have easily been on their Insomniac album. It's pure punk-rock. And that's cool, because it's what Green Day does best. There's also some great drumming from Tre Cool. A really good song. Don't expect to hear anything too new, just good ol' Green Day.
This single has a b-side called "Too Much Too Soon" which is also a rocker, but has more of a fun feel to it. Very catchy. I would even say it's better than "American Idiot." CD also has an enhanced section with a link to a special website although I can't figure out exactly what's being offered there. A recommended purchase, and for dirt cheap. Can't beat that with a stick. Good stuff. 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Preview,
By Patrick - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: American Idiot - Swe, 2 (Audio CD)
I have been a Green Day fan for a while, and I've listened to all their music. If this single is any indication of the full-length album, American Idiot will be better than anything that they've done before, including Dookie. The title track is another masterpiece by the great Billie Joe Armstrong. Even after 15 years of writing songs, this guy just isn't showing any signs of slowing down. The second track, Too Much Too Soon is a non-album track but is still good enough to make another band's greatest hits collection. This was the first Green Day CD that has a parental advisory sticker, but I don't think it's really warrented; there's only a few curses. For only 3 bucks, this single is a steal.
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