Green Day - American Idiot

Who the fuck thought it would be a good idea to tell Green Day to do a political concept record? Which idiot even suggested to them that pop punk should be extended into nine minute long epics, with five movements and some kind of social conscience.

Whoever it was, give them a medal.

After the shit city that was ‘Warning’, ‘American Idiot’ is an epiphany. Like a bull that managed to grow back some balls after a bizarre semi-acoustic castration, the title track doesn’t waste any time in setting the scene. It’s got the down the line pop sensibilities that Busted ripped off so perfectly, but enough razor sharp edges to stop it sounding like a bunch of old men trying to be popular with the ladies. A bullet between the eyes of King Monkey himself, it’s what is commonly known as a statement of intent.

But then we get difficult, or so you’d assume. These fabled gargantuan punk masterpieces that bookend proceedings may have had many a backpack wearing punk conisseur scratching their heads. Do they slow it down? Have they been listening to The Mars Volta? Was somebody drinking meths again?.

In 2004, Green Day have only one gear, and thats the one above 6th. Drifting in and out between it’s constituent ‘sections’, ‘Jesus Of Suburbia’ doesn’t drag one bit. Shifting from anthemic to breakneck in seconds, it feels as effortless as a knife through butter.

Even better, the length never crosses your mind at all. ‘American Idiot’ is a punk rock opera - there may be numbers on the back, but you’ll never notice the gaps, only the big long one at the end where you find yourself fumbling for the repeat button.

This one isn’t just for the kids, or the hardcore fans. However thick your eyeliner, or worn your converse, you’ll find something here. If not, you’re probably in some ultra-cool denial - quality doesn’t have to come in difficult to swallow packages.