Green Day – American Idiot

Green Day released their 7th studio album, American Idiot, on September 21, 2004. It was an important album in Green Day’s career, and one that revived the band after years of slow decline. While their major label debut Dookie had been a huge success, each album the trio released thereafter sold fewer copies and garnered less attention than its predecessor, and by the time they released a greatest hits collection in 2001, Green Day was considered has-beens. Following a sneaky stint as the Network, Green Day regrouped and came back better than ever with American Idiot, an ambitious rock opera that openly discussed politics and growing up in a difficult time. The lead single “American Idiot,” with its frantic energy and overt political message, immediately grabbed attention on radio. Ballad “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” was the biggest hit from the album, “Holiday” was perhaps the most fun, and “Wake Me Up When September Ends” struck a chord with millions across America. The final single was the 9-minute suite, “Jesus Of Suburbia.” American Idiot has since been turned into a successful Broadway musical, is set to become a film, and with over 15 million copies sold, it remains a landmark album of the 21st century.  

Highlights on American Idiot include “Jesus Of Suburbia,” “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,” “Give Me Novacaine,” “Extraordinary Girl,” “Whatsername” …. basically the whole album.