adnan Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 (edited) I changed my mind about this album.__________________________________________________Opening with the riff-based title track, Green Day's grandiose, sprawling, messy, and all too ambitious concept album/rock opera American Idiot gets off to a good start, but soon starts sounding like the Kinks attempting a Tommy-esque album. The opening track is one of the highlights, a catchy 3 minute punk tune that brings back memories of Green Day's mid-90's albums, but hopes that this album might be a return to that sort of music are demolished as soon as the 9 minute long, grandiose, and initially quite insufferable Jesus of Suburbia starts playing.After the second track, it becomes all too clear what Green Day were attempting here. This is a concept album about life in 21st Century suburban America, and the band develop many characters and locations, all while making constant political commentaries. The only problem with this is that Green Day were never musical visionaries; they built a career out of creating catchy music with good lyrics, but they were never as good as the Who, and they certainly aren't quite good enough to pull off something as ambitious as this. It really does sound like they're trying too hard, in every way. The story and characters seem forced, the melodies are confusing, and the order of the track list is confusing at times.Regardless, there isn't a weak song on here, and the album's messy sprawl can seem very charming after a few listens. Even though they try too hard to develop a complex story line and several characters all while commenting on every imaginable political situation in modern day America, it's still a very interesting listen and there is an undeniable flow and pace to the album.Sadly, Green Day just aren't good enough to pull off this sort of record, and this ends up sounding slightly forced, overbearing, far too ambitious, and unbelievably pretentious. In short, it is something of a botched masterpiece. The songs are good, the band sounds great, and the album is constructed quite well. Worth owning for most casual rock fans.Rating: 4 out of 5Track Picks:American IdiotHolidayGive Me NovocaineShe's a RebelWhatsername Edited November 29, 2006 by adnan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Estranged Reality Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 I hate this album with passion.Not because it's become "popular" to hate it, mind you. I hated it when everyone was raving about how great it was, before it became over-exposed and over-played on the radio.American Idiot is a catchy song. Once you hear it a few times, though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 I like the album also. It's the only album from Green Day in which all the tracks are good imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingwillie Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 i hate Green-Day with a passion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epic Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 I only like Homecoming. Rest is pretty boring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leigh-Rok! Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 It was easily the album of the year, the year it came out. I must have listened to it 100 times, and because of that I have no real interest in listening to it again. That being said, they ARE good enough to pull off an album like this, and they did so very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssiscool Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 its not that bad i have a copy in my car and i like some tracks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunchuck Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Botched masterpiece?! four top ten singles and 10 million album sales later, a few people may disagree ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adnan Posted November 29, 2006 Author Share Posted November 29, 2006 I hate this album with passion.Not because it's become "popular" to hate it, mind you. I hated it when everyone was raving about how great it was, before it became over-exposed and over-played on the radio.American Idiot is a catchy song. Once you hear it a few times, though...I used to hate it with a passion too. See my posts about it a few months back. It really gets better with each listen though. Are you one of those people who calls Green Day emo and hates them for no reason? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moreblack Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 The only song I dig on it is Jesus Of Suburbia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssiscool Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 The only song I dig on it is Jesus Of Suburbiai cant listen to that track very often Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moreblack Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 The only song I dig on it is Jesus Of Suburbiai cant listen to that track very oftenIt's weird. I get annoyed very quickly at GD's short little pop songs, but that one takes its time to get going and develop into something worthwhile... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ohdistortedsmile1789 Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 I think it is and will be remembered as a masterpiece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SofaKingWhat Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Botched masterpiece?! four top ten singles and 10 million album sales later, a few people may disagree ...Chart success these days means a bands albums/songs are popular, not necessarily good.Do you consider Westlife, Boyzone, Girls Allowed etc to be good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leigh-Rok! Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Do you consider Westlife, Boyzone, Girls Allowed etc to be good?Girls Aloud?Boo yeah!! B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornell Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 I like this album - my kids play it all the time and it beats the crap out of what a lot of other kids are listening to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Estranged Reality Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Are you one of those people who calls Green Day emo and hates them for no reason? No, I just hate them because I think they are poor musicians, annoying people and their lead singer looks like Frodo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sandman Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Are you one of those people who calls Green Day emo and hates them for no reason? No, I just hate them because I think they are poor musicians, annoying people and their lead singer looks like Frodo. I must concur. Plus, a load of their songs are either about, or euphamism's for masturbation. That's weird. A couple maybe, but...I did listen to the whole album - and it was revolting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worldwideboss Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 The only song I dig on it is Jesus Of Suburbiai cant listen to that track very oftenIt's weird. I get annoyed very quickly at GD's short little pop songs, but that one takes its time to get going and develop into something worthwhile...Correct, sir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunchuck Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Botched masterpiece?! four top ten singles and 10 million album sales later, a few people may disagree ...Chart success these days means a bands albums/songs are popular, not necessarily good.Do you consider Westlife, Boyzone, Girls Allowed etc to be good?I take your point but there's two sides to that particular arguement. The Beatles sold shitloads of records but did they suck?! and if you think anythings changed, well, no it hasn't really, Oasis are regular chart contenders and they're a great band, as are say, RHCP. Sometimes the good music does conquer! Anyway, i love Girls Aloud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetness Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Im no fan, but everybody I know who likes Green Day and has been listening to them for as long as theyve been around agree that American Idiot is their worst album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ohdistortedsmile1789 Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Im no fan, but everybody I know who likes Green Day and has been listening to them for as long as theyve been around agree that American Idiot is their worst album.I'm tired of hearing that from these so called "original fans". Music needs to change to survive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetness Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Im no fan, but everybody I know who likes Green Day and has been listening to them for as long as theyve been around agree that American Idiot is their worst album.I'm tired of hearing that from these so called "original fans". Music needs to change to survive.Not to change the topic here, but as much as a genre of music needs to evolve, it needs to stay true to its roots. Being 100% origional has never been the reason behind any artist's success and it never will. Besides, I wouldnt say American Idiot is all that different from anything Green Day has done in the past, but what the fuck do I know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ohdistortedsmile1789 Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Im no fan, but everybody I know who likes Green Day and has been listening to them for as long as theyve been around agree that American Idiot is their worst album.I'm tired of hearing that from these so called "original fans". Music needs to change to survive.Not to change the topic here, but as much as a genre of music needs to evolve, it needs to stay true to its roots. Being 100% origional has never been the reason behind any artist's success and it never will. Besides, I wouldnt say American Idiot is all that different from anything Green Day has done in the past, but what the fuck do I know?Well it's still guitar-based Rock, no, it isn't that different, people are just intolerant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adnan Posted November 30, 2006 Author Share Posted November 30, 2006 No, I just hate them because I think they are poor musiciansHow on earth are they poor musicians? Music can be objective, so don't give me that shit about you having an opinion etc. , annoying peopleExactly. That's the whole point of Green Day. They're snobbish and obnoxious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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