American Idiot
by Green Day
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Sep 21, 2004
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 841 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 769 out of 841
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 841
  3. Negative: 50 out of 841

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  1. ChristyL
    May 10, 2005
    10
    best album yet by green day. the lyrics are great the beat is septacular, and the f*** u to politics makes it even better. if u dont love this what do u love?!
  2. AshM
    May 31, 2005
    9
    Well... what a great album, I think this one will stand the test of time and people will be buying it in 30 years time, there isn't one track that stands above the rest on the album, there all great, its very consistant, you wont find your self skipping through to find better songs. Oh yeah, all you people going 'Green Day R DA BEST' grow up you little trolls.
  3. JYeatman
    May 4, 2005
    10
    Best album I've run across in the past few years.
  4. EmmaS
    May 9, 2005
    10
    i av listened 2 greenday eva since i heard of thm a few years ago n i loved them then n still do now. anyone hu disses greenday are gonna get there face smashed in. Green Day rock n always will do. ;D
  5. sylvian
    Jun 16, 2005
    10
    I used to think Green Day was ok, but now with the release of American Idiot I have finally awakened from my dazed sleep and realized that Green Day is easily the best modern band I know of. This album is absolutely spectacular! Holiday, BoBB, St. Jimmy, American Idiot, Shes a Rebel, they're all wonderful songs that I could listen t oover and over again! They never get old. Overall I used to think Green Day was ok, but now with the release of American Idiot I have finally awakened from my dazed sleep and realized that Green Day is easily the best modern band I know of. This album is absolutely spectacular! Holiday, BoBB, St. Jimmy, American Idiot, Shes a Rebel, they're all wonderful songs that I could listen t oover and over again! They never get old. Overall this masterpiece is easily one to go and buy.… Expand
  6. JohnS
    Jun 16, 2005
    10
    Incredible! This is undoubtedly on of the best albums I have ever listened to! I highly recommend this cd. Holiday and BOBB sre easily award winners!
  7. GreenDayFan
    Jul 7, 2005
    10
    Although I love Green Day and have enjoyed every album since Dookie, American Idiot has clearly gone beyond even those. every song on the iis good and you rarely end up enjoying every song on a CD. There are too many exellent songs to point out just one but "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" is truly a great song along with "Jesus of Surburbia" and "Homecoming". I think that this "rock opera" Although I love Green Day and have enjoyed every album since Dookie, American Idiot has clearly gone beyond even those. every song on the iis good and you rarely end up enjoying every song on a CD. There are too many exellent songs to point out just one but "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" is truly a great song along with "Jesus of Surburbia" and "Homecoming". I think that this "rock opera" is reminicent of the ever ecclectic Queen of the 1970's and early 80's. They are truly the best in punk rock genre going well beyond the mold of punk rock is supposed to allow. So congradulations to Green Day on thier best yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand
  8. Rufus
    Aug 10, 2005
    10
    This is an epic that will last generations. Excellent!!
  9. larryc
    Aug 4, 2005
    10
    this is awesome i listen 2 it every day
  10. EdC
    Aug 5, 2005
    10
    While not an insanely complex album, American Idiot is a an excellent and creative album. It shows that Green Day finally grew up.
  11. beb
    Aug 7, 2005
    10
    Amazing album full of brilliant songs. I had actually not really heard of Green Day before this but i'm off to buy their older albums. Bye!
  12. JhonsonC
    Sep 9, 2005
    10
    Best rock album Ive ever heard of my life.
  13. kitb
    Feb 20, 2006
    10
    thank god i found this site i was doing a speech on green day cuz i love em to death and i needed reviews to show thier the fuckin best!!!!
  14. TheBlob
    Feb 5, 2006
    9
    I was a huge Green Day fan in 1994 when Dookie came out. This album was THE reference in punk-pop style back in the days. Then i grew up and stop listening to this band cause it sounded way too "childish" to match my new musical tastes, music for teen and not much. And they strike back with American Idiot. This band is still alive, no doubt. I must admit that i'm really impressed by I was a huge Green Day fan in 1994 when Dookie came out. This album was THE reference in punk-pop style back in the days. Then i grew up and stop listening to this band cause it sounded way too "childish" to match my new musical tastes, music for teen and not much. And they strike back with American Idiot. This band is still alive, no doubt. I must admit that i'm really impressed by this album. I'd never thought that such a thing was possible from Green Day. Wow, a punk-pop opera rock from the band i used to idolized more than 10 years ago. Congrats guys, great career!… Expand
  15. earl
    Mar 15, 2006
    9
    excellent
  16. JamieP
    Mar 3, 2006
    9
    bloody brilliant album
  17. mirandas
    Mar 6, 2006
    10
    I love this cd.
  18. bw
    May 5, 2006
    8
    Why is this cd NOT AVAILABLE without cursing? you can't but it edited anywhere. I love to rock, my kids love to rock, but without the profanity. It is a great CD. There's not an edited version out there anywhere. I can usually depend on wal-mart for edited versions of cd's, but they don't carry it edited because it doesn't exist. It gets played on the radio Why is this cd NOT AVAILABLE without cursing? you can't but it edited anywhere. I love to rock, my kids love to rock, but without the profanity. It is a great CD. There's not an edited version out there anywhere. I can usually depend on wal-mart for edited versions of cd's, but they don't carry it edited because it doesn't exist. It gets played on the radio without cursing. At least greenday (or the record label) could offer an edited version for those of us with kids. P.S. Leave out the politics and Billie Joe-take it easy on the eye liner.… Expand
  19. bobbyn
    Nov 1, 2004
    8
    Great album,cant take it off the player. winona k REM ha ha there new album is so shite its awfull.
  20. jons
    Nov 13, 2004
    10
    phenomonoal
  21. KennethH
    Nov 19, 2004
    10
    Great cd Green day has defenatly hit the big time
  22. MattG
    Oct 12, 2004
    10
    Tremendously solid both melodically and lyrically, it also puts forth a political message the young voters need to listen to.
  23. z28blue
    Nov 28, 2004
    10
    Lyrical Genius! Catchy Tunes! And it all makes sense! Absolutely, hands down, the best album ive heard all year!
  24. CourtlandC
    Nov 4, 2004
    9
    Songs 1-7 are the best seven songs in a row off of any album in the last ten years. The opening strains of guitar and first verse of "We are the Waiting" blow away anything else out there right now.
  25. jessw
    Oct 16, 2004
    8
    yeah its good, i like it.
  26. SebMan
    Nov 9, 2004
    8
    I liked this one, it's got some good slow songs and good faster, catchy songs. "We are the Waiting" sucks shite, though.
  27. AlexB
    Oct 19, 2004
    10
    One of the best albums ever! Jesus of Suburbia rocks! Green Day ROCKS!
  28. gregw
    Oct 20, 2004
    10
    their Best since Dookie, which is saying something.its almost as perfect as that masterpiece. GO AND BUY IT NOW!!! GREN DAY!!!!!!!!
  29. zackz
    Oct 2, 2004
    7
    This album is good but they are trying to keep popular so they are changing their music to whats popular NOW not in the 90's when the music was good and not good charlette
  30. markf
    Oct 7, 2004
    9
    I'm still debating how great it is, but it should easily be the equal of anything of theirs as far as "entertainment value", and it's obviously their most mature set of lyrics, even if it borrows from The Who's "Tommy" and Pink Floyd's "The Wall" to tell its story of a sheltered lad awakening to reality, becoming a "prophet", going insane, trying to commit suicide, I'm still debating how great it is, but it should easily be the equal of anything of theirs as far as "entertainment value", and it's obviously their most mature set of lyrics, even if it borrows from The Who's "Tommy" and Pink Floyd's "The Wall" to tell its story of a sheltered lad awakening to reality, becoming a "prophet", going insane, trying to commit suicide, etc. It is amazing how such a "heavy" story can be presented through a ton of hooks and riffs, whether they be inspired by pure Green Day, or their "mentors", the Ramones and the Clash, or even the further-removed Bruce Springsteen, Phil Spector/Motown and MeatLoaf. It might be a tad overlong, but that's usually the case when a band is audacious enough to try to pull off a rock opera. This should satisfy anyone who enjoys pop-punk of any variety and maybe some people who don't think they like "punk".… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Best Album of 2004
2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2004
4
#4 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Billboard
    80
    It is exactly what the band needs to boost itself to the next level of pop-punk prowess.
    Read full review
  2. E! Online
    83
    There's still plenty of spunk in to be found in this Sgt. Pepper-lite.
    Read full review
  3. Dot Music
    80
    Not only does it contain Green Day’s finest songs (and choruses) to date... but it also scratches at the surface of political dissatisfaction with nails sharp enough to leave a nasty scar.
    Read full review
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