Billie Joe Armstrong: Guitar, Lead Vocals
Mike Dirnt - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Tré Cool - Drums, Vocals
With the breakthrough of '90s pop-punk teammate Blink-182's self titled debut album displaying their "grown-up" image and the not terrible but altogether lacking release of Shenanigans, Green Day needed something to help show that they are in turn a '90s band with the potential to excel into the 21st century. This album was exactly what they needed. Although you can tell from the lyrics, guitars, and even overall image of the album how this is a different kind of Green Day, many of those new things that the band has tried have worked out wonderfully. For instance, the 5 different movements on "Jesus of Suburbia" and "Homecoming" as well as the presence of additions like keyboards and guitar effects show how the band's songwriting skills' evolution. When it comes down to it, it seems as though the members are finally learning how to maximize the effects that can be created by their instruments. Billie Joe is using Tremolo and different settings on his guitar as well as singing words with much more universal themes, Mike's basslines are move evolved and Tré's drum parts have grown from the simple beats most modern drummers are sticking to. Green Day is finally showing their age as a band. Welcome to the 21st century!!
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Track Listing:
1. American Idiot
2. Jesus of Suburbia
I. Jesus of Suburbia
II. City of the ****ed
III.I Don't Care
IV. Dearly Beloved
V. Tales of Another Broken Home
3. Holiday
4. Boulevard of Broken Dreams
5. Are We The Waiting
6. St. Jimmy
7. Give Me Novacaine
8. She's a Rebel
9. Extraordinary Girl
10. Letterbomb
11. Wake Me Up When September Ends
12. Homecoming
I. The Death of St. Jimmy
II.East 12th St.
III. Nobody Likes You
IV.Rock and Roll Girlfriend
V. We're Coming Home Again
13. Whatsername
Links:
Back to the CD Reviews Directory
Official Green Day Website
Warner Bros. Records
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