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. 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.
  2. AlexB
    Oct 19, 2004
    10
    One of the best albums ever! Jesus of Suburbia rocks! Green Day ROCKS!
  3. 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!!!!!!!!
  4. 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
  5. stevek
    Oct 7, 2004
    10
    The best Green Day album since Nimrod, and in my opinion one of the best albums ever made. Green Day has always been one of my favourite bands, and American Idiot rose them to #1 in my books. Highlights were 'Jesus of Seburbia' and 'Holiday.'
  6. Anthony
    Oct 8, 2004
    10
    O Man I just got the CD and it blew my mind!!!!! I agree with everything they say that Bush is a dumbass
  7. Slu
    Sep 21, 2004
    10
    This album is amazing, literary, schizophrenic, depressing, and a musical amalgamation of just about every style, but with the clear distinction of being Green Day. A masterpiece.
  8. SebB.
    Jan 11, 2005
    7
    I found this album to get boring after a while. My favorite songs are American Idiot and holiday. Boulevard just got lame after hearing it a million times on t.v. and on the radio. And no matter how hard you try and convince yourself that they're not, the 2 10 milute songs are WAY to long!
  9. Lt.Drebin
    Nov 10, 2005
    10
    Their best album...and that's saying a lot.
  10. glenng
    Nov 2, 2005
    10
    Sets the standard in the 00s!
  11. EmilyO.
    Jan 15, 2005
    10
    This is such an intelligent CD with real insights. The Greenday band has really grown up, which is quite visable in "American Idiot". It was well worth the $20 I paid for it!
  12. MiguelC
    Jan 18, 2005
    9
    awesome album
  13. kayliep
    Dec 12, 2005
    10
    I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! i can relate to it in so many ways. i fell in love with this album the moment i heard it. 10!!!
  14. OZyYoung
    Jan 20, 2005
    10
    Wow! THis CD is amazing.
  15. HelenB
    Oct 22, 2005
    10
    Fantastic work! The best rock album i've ever known.!
  16. douglasm
    Dec 2, 2005
    10
    An absolutely complete and stunning album, it doesnt get much better than this!
  17. RobF
    Jan 30, 2005
    10
    Great Album to listen from a different sound of Green Day. They did a great job doing this album about America and what has happen through the years in America. Alot of Green Day fans who are only into the punk of Green Day put Green Day had grown up a bit and change there sound and songwriting. Great Job Green Day.
  18. mattr
    Oct 9, 2005
    10
    One of the best rock abums i have er heard defintly greendays best
  19. Kristin
    Feb 13, 2005
    10
    This is the best album by greenday! I love this cd!
  20. Pj
    Feb 14, 2005
    10
    1 word-PERFECTION!
  21. JoshuaE
    Mar 12, 2005
    10
    holy crap this album is amazing. green days best
  22. BENL
    Mar 17, 2005
    10
    Green Day's best. The only album I can listen to from start to end. Bush Bashers include American Idiot and Holiday (Holiday is better than AI). Boulevard is an extremly good song and any one who buys this cd will not be dissappointed.
  23. dunnolostit
    Mar 25, 2005
    10
    a good album, compared to whats around today its fantastic. Greenday will definatly make an imprint in music history.
  24. DavidL
    Mar 28, 2005
    10
    Just for the record, IGN gave this a 10/10
  25. DanielN
    Mar 29, 2005
    10
    This album is their best yet. I loved Dookie and appreciate the far more mature lyrics and outstanding music from this album. I'm hooked!
  26. angelab
    Apr 10, 2005
    10
    One of if not the best CD i have ever listened to. Every song is amazing and i could listen to it over and over again w/o getting bored or tired. i love all of Green Day's previous albums but this is by far the best and the most fun. My favorite track is number 10-Letterbomb.
  27. anona
    Apr 13, 2005
    10
    After reading the blittering pontifications of the village voice review, who apparantly fancies him/herself (didn't bother to look) some sort of intellectual, I felt compelled to add my voice (pun intended) to the discussion. I work with and enjoy music very much, so I am always listening to what is new/old/obscure, etc. It is very difficult to be original these days and the mark of After reading the blittering pontifications of the village voice review, who apparantly fancies him/herself (didn't bother to look) some sort of intellectual, I felt compelled to add my voice (pun intended) to the discussion. I work with and enjoy music very much, so I am always listening to what is new/old/obscure, etc. It is very difficult to be original these days and the mark of creativity reaches beyond the realm of just making a new sound-any 'idiot' can do that. The ability to synthesize and extrapolate what one hears (the who, the beatles, even david bowie-listen carefully- and pink floyd, of course husker du) and still have a singular voice as GD does, is something that I find remarkable in this 'event'. The voice in the arc of the concept is one of alienation, fear, resignation but not total abandon to despair. The music rocks. The only people who should NOT touch this disc are the consevative (politically and musically) or vapid. Actually, maybe the vapid would learn something. Go put this in your pipe and smoke it...intellectual dick.… Expand
  28. DavidP
    Apr 15, 2005
    10
    I don't dislike today's candy-punk because of silly teen lyrics that I've long outgrown. It's because of the stunning lack of musical variety- just how many sounds can you generate with a bass, lead, & drums, anyway? Green Day answers the question in an amazing fashion on American Idiot. I doesn't matter whether or not you agree with the decidedly Anti-Bush I don't dislike today's candy-punk because of silly teen lyrics that I've long outgrown. It's because of the stunning lack of musical variety- just how many sounds can you generate with a bass, lead, & drums, anyway? Green Day answers the question in an amazing fashion on American Idiot. I doesn't matter whether or not you agree with the decidedly Anti-Bush sentiments. Each song is incredibly different and unique. Even "Jesus of Surburbia" contains 5 songs that could stand on their own. Songs range from the driving rock of "American Idiot" and "Holiday", to the catchy hooks of "Novacaine" and ""Whatshername". Sure it is sappy, but "Wake Me Up When September Ends" is an excellent song. Thanks Green Day for providing a CD that I can listen to in its ENTIRETY and one of the 5 best albums I have ever purchased.… Expand
  29. SamM
    Apr 18, 2005
    10
    They manage to link together musically diverse songs with surprising cohesion. And here I thought they were washed up years ago.
  30. sophied
    Apr 2, 2005
    10
    i think that american idot is the best album released so far by green day.
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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

All reviews »
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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