Review Summary: Combining catchy rhythms and anthemic choruses with blasphemy, profanity, anti-Americanism and drug use.
Punk Rock is probably one of the more dangerous forms of music in a spiritual sense, mostly because it is so insidious. Unlike most negative Heavy Metal, which can easily be avoided by just looking at the titles (Reign in Blood, The Number Of The Beast, Isis) Punk Rock cloaks itself in catchiness and youthful energy. While there are many quality Punk Rock bands that deliver positive messages without compromising the rawness and energy of Punk Rock (i.e. Relient K and MxPx), the vast majority preach rebellion, anti-authoritarianism and Atheism.
In my search for new music and my quest to understand the mindset behind the mainstream music industry I picked up this album. The stark imagery, a hand holding a bleeding heart shaped grenade, as well as the title just screamed the rebellious and violent spirit that was Punk Rock. Now, let me start by saying that rebelliousness in itself isn't necessarily a bad thing. As singer of Punk-Metal band P.O.D. Sonny Sandoval has said, "Jesus was the original punk rocker." But when all this cynicism is directed against America, God and all the values that have made this country a good place, the only possible effect is harmful, which brings us to this album. Probably the very height of nihilism in this or any genre, American Idiot is a cynical, violent affair reveling in destruction and the pointless rebellion that is the very essence of most mainstream Punk Rock.
I don't really have a problem with profanity in music as long as it serves a purpose, to add emotion to a line or to give it a sense of urgency or power. But in Green Day's case, it's just foul language for the sake of foul language. numerous f-bombs are peppered throughout the album, seemingly without rhyme or reason. Not only this but the violent content of the lyrics, in which singer Billy Joe Armstrong sings about "killing fags" and being a "teenage assassin" have absolutely no value, musical or otherwise. Few Metal albums reach this height of depravity and ugliness not to mention blasphemy, with titles like "The Jesus Of Suburbia" and "St. Jimmy".
Not only this, but an attitude of anti-Americanism pervades the album. While I agree that our government has done a lot wrong, at the time this album was released we were in the midst of a war, which to me, judging by the lyrical content just seems irresponsible. I'm not really sure how they were able write these lyrics without feeling at least a twinge of guilt. While not as blatantly Marxist as hip-hoppers Rage Against the Machine, Green Day is obviously on one of the worst ends of the political spectrum.
The music on itself is probably some of the better Punk Rock songwriting there is, however. Catchy melodies, tight drumwork, choruses that you just can't help but hum along to all combine to make this a pretty aurally pleasing album, as well as small artistic nods to the avant-garde like the tribal drums at the end of "She's A Rebel" and the trilled yips of "Extraordinary Girl".
The songs aren't all nihilism and anger as well. "Wake Me Up When September Ends" has a poignancy and sense of heartfelt emotion to it that is probably out of place within the genre of Punk Rock but only shows that Green Day have a real sense for songwriting.
It's these qualities that make the album all the more dangerous however. With all the apathy and anger stacked up against the small moments of spiritual insight, what is someone to make of this album? If only Green Day had turned their songwriting talents to something more positive, maybe American Idiot could have been a worthwhile piece of art, worthy of the accolades of the greatest Punk Rock albums. Sadly, despite some very good songwriting and a few glimpses of the light, this album will never join the ranks of "Satellite" and "The Illusion Of Safety".
