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by Tony Pascarella Published: September 25, 2004
California's very own Green Day is hitting the charts again with their 7th original LP, American Idiot. Comprised of vocalist and lead guitarist Billie Joe (Armstrong), bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool, Green Day has been around since 1988 in various forms. Thirteen years after releasing their first album, 1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours, the band returns once again to the style that has made them almost synonymous with the punk rock/ska movement from California. American Idiot is Green Day's attempt at a little something different. It has been referred to as a concept album. In essence, this is a political statement. Two of the tracks, "Jesus In Suburbia" and "Homecoming" clock in at just over nine minutes apiece. What makes them a novel concept is that the band decided to split them into five segments of the same track. It manages to let the album cover a lot of ground while not making it an overwhelming 21 tracks. Plays on words aren't exactly new, but Green Day manages to make them sound fresh and appealing. One of the harshest political statements in a song, "American Idiot" endeavors to walk that line between free speech and John Ashcroft beating down your door. Oh yeah, and it's a pretty great tune, too. Crackling drums accent that famous (or infamous) three-chord punk that Green Day has done for years. "Jesus of Suburbia" is divided into five parts; this is meant to be an introduction and rising action of the so-called opera. The first chapter portrays Jesus of Suburbia as a neglected son who feasts "on a steady diet of soda pop and Ritalin," before later turning to drugs. The second chapter (subtitled "City of the Damned") comments on the rat race of life; parts of it come off as Pearl Jam goes punk, but the very last line of the chapter turns the song completely upside down. This chapter has a driving guitar rhythm, but its poignance is evident by the lack of steam this song has. Extremely even, the music actually reflects the lyrics themselves. Chapter three of the song is subtitled "I Don't Care." Essentially, this short section outlays some of the theories practiced by teenagers today in classic Green Day form. "Dearly Beloved," chapter four in this five-part track, uses strutting guitar chords that you won't be able to get out of your head. The amazing part is the flow from the angry chapter before. Unfortunately, this section is over far too soon. Fast-paced punk rock finishes out this song with "Tales of Another Broken Home." In this chapter, much of the lyricism is symbolic of America (the home mentioned in the song). One thing you'll like about American Idiot is that the band doesn't come out and say what they mean--everything is done on the story of this guy named Jesus of Suburbia and several other characters introduced later in the album. 
"Holiday" is another politically-charged statement. Instead of critiquing America as a whole, they take aim at President Bush (who does make himself a rather large target). Between damning him for his foreign policy ("Zeig heil to the president gasman/Bombs away is your punishment/Pulverize the Eiffel towers/Who criticize your government") and displaying some pretty potent imagery, this song will remain memorable, despite its mind-numbing guitar work.Shivering chords open "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," a premonition of what is to come. The song is really Green Day trying to do a normal song on a political album; it doesn't work that well. Sure, you can see politics in the song if you look hard enough, but it doesn't work with the rest of the in-your-face tracks on American Idiot. Dreams are a constant factor on the album, especially on "We Are The Waiting." It deals with the realization that everything is not what it seems. The major drawback with this song is more that once it broaches the subject, there is very little revelation and far too much repetition. Bass-heavy, this song has no real instrumentation to speak of. It's more like white noise, and detracts seriously from the transitions. At this point, another character is introduced by way of his anthem, "St. Jimmy." He is the boisterous sidekick to protagonist Jesus of Suburbia. Characterized as a tough guy, that is illustrated through the lyrics and aggressive guitars flooding this track. "Give Me Novocaine" is a partially acoustic track that focuses mostly on Armstrong's vocals, a whiny tale of demons and drugs with some subtle mentions of suicide, depending on your interpretation. "She's A Rebel" introduces another character, whose name is Whatsername. Quirky, ain't it? They seem to be fond of adding characters to the plot via an anthemic look at their personality and qualities. This is a straight-up punk rocker, just over two minutes in length. It's repetitive, but it is one of the few tracks that really lack a political message. Kicking off with some interesting drums, "Extraordinary Girl" is a quirky, enigmatic track that views perception of others to a not-quite-punk instrumental backing. This is another track that doesn't do much politically, but it does advance the theme of the opera. It's good, but not necessarily the band's best work. "Letterbomb" starts with an antagonistic line or two before some carefree-sounding rock guitars kick in. It begins the downfall of the characters in the "opera." The listener begins to learn exactly what our three intrepid characters really don't like about modern society. Green Day exhibits what they believe is a mass injustice against the American people and wonders aloud, "Where have all the riots gone?" However, they do it vicariously through Jesus of Suburbia, St. Jimmy, and Whatsername. I personally like this song, both for the excellent emotion they show as well as the way it is written. With a similar acoustic opening as one of their world-famous tracks, "Wake Me Up When September Ends," is best explained as being an updated version of "Good Riddance." Except for the catchiness. Yeah, that's one thing this song lacks. There is no flow to it; acoustic guitars and then each verse ended with the same line. Luckily, it does pick up a bit when they add in the electric guitar, but it doesn't do enough to save this song from me shouting "Ripoff!" from the treetops. I guess it's possible to rip off your own songs. 
"Homecoming" is another nine-minute track divided into five parts. Part one is subtitled "The Death of St. Jimmy." It takes a while to build, but this shows it's mettle as one of the best chapter songs. The chapter ends with something you could probably have seen coming, "Jimmy died today/He blew his brains out into the bay/In the state of mind/In my own suicide." The second part ("East 12th Street") is a dig at responsibility as a whole, and leads toward the resolution. Chapter three is "Nobody Likes You." Cathedral bells open this part of the track, and witty lyrics abound. It's a definite tongue-in-cheek piece that people can equate to the funeral of St. Jimmy. Another one of the chapter tracks is sung by Tre Cool. Entitled "Rock And Roll Girlfriend," it brings back shades of the Ramones in both its brashness and its hilarity. The final chapter of this song is "We're Coming Home Again." Aptly titled, this is reminiscent of some of their more recent work with a little bit of "She" thrown in for good measure. It fairly well wraps up the album, leaving room for just one track more. "Whatsername" is the album closer and a statement both of hope and finality. Surrounded by sonic guitar blasts, Jesus of Suburbia finally manages to bury the memories of Whatsername, and the album closes with the line "Forgetting you, but not the time."As is generally true with Green Day, the guitars are fantastic throughout American Idiot. The main problem with the album is that the instruments sometimes drown out Billy Joe Armstrong's witty lyrics and double entendres. I spent quite a bit of time trying to determine the grade I was going to give to American Idiot. I can almost give out a different grade for various demographics. If you're conservative politically, you may not take such a kind eye to the blatant and not-so-blatant Bush-bashing on the album. Liberals will probably almost enjoy the fact that Republicans everywhere will squirm while listening to American Idiot. Then we have another group altogether: fans and non-fans. Hardcore Green Day fans will find this new and refreshing. Non-fans may like the idea of the concept album. I consider myself a fan, and I really did like this album, save for a few dull moments. If you're intrigued, check out the album, but be forewarned that the whole concept album/punk opera theme takes a while to get used to. Overall Grade: B+ Photos are property of and copyright to Warner Bros. Records and Green Day. |
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