I have to admit, as much as I talk about music and my love for it, I missed out on the "early stuff" with Green Day being one of the casualties. I didn't grow up with Dookie and "Time of Your Life" was really my first exposure to them so I'm not jaded to this release like most of their hardcore fan base. I see this album for what it is - a stand alone musical masterpiece.
There are a lot of places to discover music. Nowadays, you have Pandora, iTunes recommendations and social networking blogs that post the latest "band you need to know but when a certain amount of people do I'm not going to like them anymore" artists. But there is a way to discover that was very overlooked until Guitar Hero and Rock Band hit the scene - video games.
"American Idiot" (the song) appeared on the soundtrack for one of the Madden games. That's where I got used to it and one day bought the cd and gave it a shot. I have to admit, at first I was just kind of like "eh." I liked the title track and really liked "Holiday" before the radio got a hold of it. It would be a while before I truly appreciated the cd as a whole.
One of the reasons was because to this day "When September Ends" is one my least favorite and at one time was heavily played on the radio. I want to make sure that statement came across correct: "least favorite" doesn't mean I didn't like it. (and yes, I know the story behind it. But like I said, just a "least favorite") But radio-overexposure also killed "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" for me as well, another song I really liked.
But what turned me around to this cd was actually when I started opening my eyes to music for what it was. Interpreting the lyrics, appreciating the bass lines, realizing what goes in to making a song. I've come to appreciate songs that are unique and I found that in "Jesus of Suburbia." It's a 9-minute track that acts like a 5-for-1 deal.
And it's also an example of what the album does - tells a story. I feel a lot of times, artists will put out songs with singles to get on the radio and make money. I appreciate and respect Green Day for, at a time when they had already done that in their careers, taking a chance and doing something creative.
Also, I have to admit. Green Day Rock Band helped me appreciate "Homecoming" which is similar to "Jesus of Suburbia" in the multiple-songs-condensed-into-one formula. That and "Whatsername." So that's why the following three tracks are displayed.
NOTE: Please, if you have never given these tracks a listen or have been jaded to them because you don't like the cd (you are entitled to your opinion), for me - give these songs a try.
I will admit that I like some of the songs on here...but I'm totally an old school Green Day fan.
ReplyDeleteThey also lose points for having their songs become part of a musical.
My mom loves this album. :) I actually don't have it because I was an early Green Day fan and to this day- I think Dookie is where they pretty much nailed it. BUT..."When September Ends" is bittersweet for me. It was the song playing on the radio when we brought Olivia home from the hospital AND it kind of brings me back to the non stop crying and subsequent post partum depression. Because everyone would say, "Wait until September is over- you'll feel better", which turned out to be a bunch of crap because I felt awful for her entire first year. But I have a page in my scrapbook with the title of that song and pictures of her first month- most of which I don't remember. So if for no other reason, that album reminds me of that time. :)
ReplyDeleteOh man. I'm listening to "Jesus of Suburbia" right now and it's like a time portal back to high school. I know this album got a lot of crap but I loved it. I might have to dig it out today and give it a listen thanks to you haha.
ReplyDelete@Allison:
ReplyDeletewhere you say "lost points" I say "gain points" for creativity. If I would have been in the area, I would have seen that show for sure.
@Sara:
I love those kind of stories - to see how a song can take somebody back to a specific time
@lalauren:
that response is what I am looking for when doing these things. That just made my day :)
Hey there sweets! Well you know how I feel about Green Day so this post makes me , oh so very happy- especially since I got to sing along with you during a few of the aforementioned songs.
ReplyDeleteRandom Question: Have you heard of the Temper Trap?
Mr O - I hope you weren't offended by my comment. Obviously the band had to grow up. They couldn't play slacker punk forever - I know! I grew up with Dookie - I can't help it!
ReplyDelete@Lola:
ReplyDeleteYes, we do have a certain Green Day connection :) I will fully answer your RQ soon, but my quick answer is yes ;)
@Allison:
haha never offended. It's just like Celsius vs Fahrenheit - our point systems just differ ;)
Mr O - If it's ℉ vs. ℃ - then Celsius totally wins. Water freezes at 0 degrees, everything else is just plus or minus that. Makes sense to me :P
ReplyDeleteThe battle of the "punk" rock musical continues, however.
My introduction to Green Day was Dookie, but this album is another fantastic entry into their discography, one that made them relevant again.
ReplyDeleteI remember when the group released their b-sides album in 2003 and I said to my friend, "Dude, I think Green Day are done." You could tell the band was tired when they performed, and a b-sides album felt like they were on the down side of their career.
Then they dropped the video for "American Idiot." I ate my words.
This album ultimately works because it's one of the more focused protest records of our generation. The group was able to build on the multi-instrumental approach they started with on Warning:, and they brought back the energy of their earlier records. Green Day have always dabbled in power-pop and classic rock sounds, but it was on American Idiot where they decided to really push that to stunning heights.
I honestly don't care about the bandwagon fans, the excessive merchandise, and the radio overkill, this album is a masterpiece.