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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.
Audio Mixer: Chris Lord-Alge.
Recording information: 880 Studios, Oakland, CA; Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA; Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, CA.
Photographers: Chris Bilheimer; Marina Chavez.
Green Day: Mike Dirnt (bass instrument); Tre Cool, Billie Joe Armstrong.
Personnel: Billie Joe, Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals, guitar); Tre Cool (vocals, drums); Kathleen Hanna, Mike Dirnt (vocals); Jason Freese (saxophone); Rob Cavallo (piano).
Rolling Stone (p.186) - 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."
Uncut (p.119) - 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."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.106) - 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."
Green Day - American Idiot Songs
American Idiot Music Review
Average Rating: (4 out of 5 stars)    List All 305 Reviews yea-ya!
love it so miuch i carry it everywhere i go! buy it, it's worth it!
love,
daniel rubio
Submitted by dan70082003 (Goleta, CA, USA) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 4 of 4 found this helpful.
from punk to rock!
A tour de Force from Greenday. No longer do they thump out that aged new punk sound, these guys have moved on upto hard rock. Its great to hear such incisive lyrics in todays music - proving that not just M&M is capable of witty piss taking!
Submitted by stevecall75 (hamilton, new zealand)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 2 of 2 found this helpful. GREAT!!!
I love it!!!
Submitted by murati6 (Puerto Rico)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.  Yeah!!!!
Green day is the best band ever!
Definitly a must own! I'm glad I bought it.Everybody said it sucked, wait till they fall in love
Submitted by Jeus (Mechanicville,NY,USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.
excellent
a good mix of punk,rock and even pop.there best cd to date,by far
Submitted by scottherman2 (hoquiam,wa usa)
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