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. Jake
    Dec 31, 2005
    10
    An absolute masterpiece.
  2. bobb
    Mar 22, 2005
    10
    is this the greatest album of all time, it might just be. awesome
  3. BradS
    Apr 19, 2005
    10
    Best rock album I've heard in years. I'm a 50+ year old rock fan who has started to listed to opera because it has the passion that rock lacks today. American Idiot has me believing that there's still some life left in rock and roll.
  4. mICKEYjohn
    Apr 24, 2005
    10
    JUST LOV IT
  5. RMEr
    May 14, 2005
    10
    Unreal
  6. billiejoearmstrong
    Jun 16, 2005
    10
    it is the best and anyone who doesn't like Green day are stupid and its the best thing that has com out since slice cheese
  7. Max
    Jun 16, 2005
    10
    this album is great, it has its typical green day pop punk tunes of course. the ones we've come to love this band for (American Idiot, Boulevared of Broken Dreams) then it has its mellower more introspective tunes (are we the waiting, give me novacaine, wake me up when september ends) and of course some by the numbers punk (st jimmy, she's a rebel, whatsername) there is also this album is great, it has its typical green day pop punk tunes of course. the ones we've come to love this band for (American Idiot, Boulevared of Broken Dreams) then it has its mellower more introspective tunes (are we the waiting, give me novacaine, wake me up when september ends) and of course some by the numbers punk (st jimmy, she's a rebel, whatsername) there is also several songs so great that they easily eclipse anything other pop punk bands have done, propelling this band so far above the competition that their peers are barely relevant. the must hear tracks on this albums are "Holiday", "Jesus of Suburbia", "Homecoming" and "Letterbomb"… Expand
  8. edelc
    Jul 13, 2005
    8
    i've never bought a greenday album before like many people who bought American Idiot. My tastes are varying. my favourite band is Queen. I really do like this album. It's got some gorgeous melodies (when september ends) and the second song on the album is like a musical all in itself. i dont care if this band is 'supposed' to be punk or whatever. there shouldn't i've never bought a greenday album before like many people who bought American Idiot. My tastes are varying. my favourite band is Queen. I really do like this album. It's got some gorgeous melodies (when september ends) and the second song on the album is like a musical all in itself. i dont care if this band is 'supposed' to be punk or whatever. there shouldn't be boundaries with music. that's immature. I just know that this is good music. Full stop.… Expand
  9. WillO
    Sep 25, 2005
    10
    One of the best rock albums of all time.
  10. Simone
    Nov 15, 2006
    10
    Green Day is best and this album is truly purfect
  11. kockmunchy
    Jan 18, 2006
    10
    Fuck yeah! Green Day is da SHIT!!!
  12. SamI
    Dec 13, 2006
    10
    Hands down my favorite album of 2004. The songs don't really work alone, but as a whole the album is magnificent. A great example of how an album *should* be made, the sum being greater than its parts.
  13. AshD
    Jan 22, 2006
    10
    I've never been into punk music but when I heard 'Boulevard of Broken dreams', I was just drawn in so much by Green Day. I love this album and all the songs sound completely different from eachother and are so unique that you will love every single song off it for different reasons. Definitely the best album of the year.
  14. ShellK
    Oct 23, 2006
    10
    This CD Rocks
  15. MichaelS
    Mar 11, 2006
    10
    Amazing!
  16. HannahF
    Aug 14, 2006
    10
    One of the best records of all time.
  17. ggjujuewqtq
    Jan 12, 2007
    10
    is exellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  18. DesmondH.
    Dec 2, 2007
    9
    If you think they are anti-America, you are an idiot. GD are anti-war, idiots.
  19. Dan
    Dec 25, 2007
    8
    Although heavily commercialized, there is no doubt that American Idiot is still a great punk rock album. Each of its song plays a part of an overriding story in the album, and reflects America in its modern age. Its riffs, although relatively simple, are catchy nevetheless, and are certainly catchy enough to hook any punk rock fan. Aside from its obvious commercialization and change, Although heavily commercialized, there is no doubt that American Idiot is still a great punk rock album. Each of its song plays a part of an overriding story in the album, and reflects America in its modern age. Its riffs, although relatively simple, are catchy nevetheless, and are certainly catchy enough to hook any punk rock fan. Aside from its obvious commercialization and change, American Idiot is a superb album and another good step for Green Day.… Expand
  20. pauld.
    Jul 15, 2007
    10
    by far there best album
  21. MattM
    Jul 28, 2008
    10
    A great album with powerfully organized and well-written songs, and great lyrics. The best songs on the album Holiday, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, She's a Rebel, Extraordinary Girl, Letterbomb, Wake Me Up When September Ends, Homecoming, and Whatsername.
  22. KyleM
    Feb 26, 2009
    10
    American Idiot is one of this decades greatest CD's. Although the music may not sound like it did 15 years ago on Dookie, it's still got a lot of punch to it. This and Warning are albums Green Day have released to prove they've grown up, you can play the same exact thing for 20 years and expect to keep on living. American Idiot is Green Day's biggest risk, and biggest success.
  23. WyattM.
    Jul 31, 2009
    10
    I think green day put great meaning's for there song's in American idiot.
  24. earl
    Nov 18, 2004
    9
    excellent
  25. TomM
    Nov 21, 2004
    10
    Awesomely deep album, must be listened to as a piece. The lyrics actaully mean something, telling a great, and whatsmore, relevent story.
  26. JakeM
    Nov 26, 2004
    10
    Just as good as Dookie if not better, A true Masterpiece from Green Day
  27. ashcheesepie
    Nov 26, 2004
    10
    i adore this album. it's just fucking super. it's important for long time green day fans to let go of dookie, i mean christ, listen to this! they're so much more than dookie. what sets this album apart is what holds the album together: the songs can be listened to holistically which creates a definitive atmosphere of something america (and the world) has lost. but an i adore this album. it's just fucking super. it's important for long time green day fans to let go of dookie, i mean christ, listen to this! they're so much more than dookie. what sets this album apart is what holds the album together: the songs can be listened to holistically which creates a definitive atmosphere of something america (and the world) has lost. but an individual song can also be upheld alone by its own merits. billie joe, i think, has proved himself through and through.… Expand
  28. JUSTINS
    Dec 28, 2004
    10
    THIS IS THE BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR HANDS DOWN. The music took me to places that i had never been before this Byfar is the ultimate album of the year.I think that for the content of the album they should make a rock opera
  29. killermonkey
    Dec 13, 2005
    10
    this is one of the best punk albums ever when this came out i bought it right away i love green day and always have billie joe armstrong is my idol this cd is awesome and even has a storyline i wouldn't say it's their best cd (dookie is their best) but pretty close and extremely far from their worst anyway be sure to buy this it should be at a store for like 13 dollars anyway this is one of the best punk albums ever when this came out i bought it right away i love green day and always have billie joe armstrong is my idol this cd is awesome and even has a storyline i wouldn't say it's their best cd (dookie is their best) but pretty close and extremely far from their worst anyway be sure to buy this it should be at a store for like 13 dollars anyway i'm out cya… Expand
  30. RickH
    Dec 23, 2005
    10
    American Idiot really holds together and strikes a chord with anyone who was raised and conditioned to what we should believe and then later finding out that we nee to follow our own path, both the postive side as well as the destuctive side, in order to become who we really are.
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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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