Green Day almost single-handedly turned power-punk-pop into one of the most popular sounds of the last decade. Now American Idiot, their first original album since 2000, takes a sharp and often controversial plunge into American culture and ideology, and comes out fuelled with energetic and often political songs that always have something to say.
This album marks them as a band who are ready to take their place among the influential songwriters of their generation, and they're not pulling any punches while still maintaining the melodic energy of their most famous songs.
With a range of influences showing through on this release, from a slower ballad style (on the hit Wake Me Up When September Ends) to some new instrumentation, this is Green Day taking a huge step forward, unafraid to show their true colours. And there's plenty to sing along with, too.