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Review of CD - "American Idiot " - Green Day - by Peter Gernert-Dott

After a few listens it's becoming clear that the Green Day's American Idiot should be considered for album of the year. It is an incredible collection of songs, put together exceedingly well and with a LOT of thought. I've read some reviews about this being a 'punk rock opera' and it fits with a central theme and characters. Of course when you hear rock opera you think of The Who's Tommy. It's much better...I mean, if you like Green Day to begin with. But this time out, there's much more passion and, frequently, anger; much less whining. The songs are fast, powerful, with some incredible hooks. The recording quality is great...man, the drums just explode from the speakers. But there's enough change up to keep this far from monotonous. The influences are clear...these guys DO sound a lot like The Who this time...not the 'You Better You Bet' crap, but The Who that blasted out "Substitute." The bass tone is really just ferocious at times; like Mr. Entwhistle is standing there playing it himself. You also hear a decent amount of The Clash and (with an inspired 4-count) The Ramones. There are some nice slower tunes with great harmonies (Extraordinary Girl) and even a power ballad (Wake me When September Ends) that really get you to sit up and realize these guys have really pulled something off here. Of course, their full out rock tunes just flatten your ears to your head (American Idiot, St. Jimmy, Letterbomb) but damn if they don't all revert to some laugh out loud, poppy chorus and some frigging crushing endings. Jesus, this is fun! I skipped two exits on the way home on Monday and Tuesday so I could listen to the whole thing from start to finish.

But under all this is a bunch of guys calling it like it is. They should win a nobel prize for having the balls to write the single American Idiot. I will bet you any amount of money that this album will be completely passed over in the music industry awards because of it's "controversial" tone. Perhaps Lou Bega will come up with something to divert America's attention from this undesirable element. Anyway, enough with that. This album is just plain great.

PGD