Warning vs. American Idiot

[Boston]

Without Warning, there would not be an American Idiot. It was with this album that Green Day stepped outside of their comfort zone and recorded with new instruments and new ideas. However, American Idiot was their first conceptual album and it launched them into super-stardom for the second time in their career. It also ushered in a new phase of Green Day that has continued through 21st Century Breakdown and presumably will continue to be a part of their future recordings.

Its difficult to say which album is more "important" in their development as a band, but if I had to choose one it would have to be Warning simply because it came first and paved the way for the chances they took on American Idiot.

[Rachel Nimrod Armstrong]

It would have to be Warning for me cause thats when i got into Green Day when Wrning came out

but i also LOVE American Idiot but i'm stiking with Warning lol!

I just love Macy's Day Parade, Church On Sunday, Jackass, Waiting and Warning off that album

[Jack]

i see what you all are saying. but apart from ai's stardom i think the music itself is as good as warning

[Tubbie Head]

I think both albums have a great potential in different ways. I guess I would pick American Idiot, if I had to make a decision, because I think it's just genius!... But then, with Warning in the other hand, LOVE the sound of it, the lyrics, the sense of humour in every song, it's just amazing to listen to.. It's so well done, but in other way, it feels like it was made so naturally, y'know, more relaxed and less intelligently than with what I experienced with American Idiot, but that's maybe what I love so much about it, even if it was made in a less concious way, it is one of the best things they've done, kind of reminds me of the Foxboro Hot Tubs ...

These two are for sure in my top of Green Day albums =)

I think they show the different and best sides of Green Day.

[xjernpqvrnbfv]

There is no answer to this question. Both albums are different on it's own and it's just a matter of personal preferences and the mood you are in. They are both masterpieces in my opinion and I love them.

[GlennRobinson]

Seems like Green Day releases similar albums in 2's. The Lookout albums are their independent records. Dookie and Insomniac were released within a year of each other on a major label with a straight forward punk sound. Nimrod and Warning were their experimental albums. AI and 21CB were their epic rock operas. Hopefully something new will happen next time.

As for comparing AI and Warning. I think they're too different to compare. I have more of an attachment to Warning myself but that depends on what mood I'm in. Both are incredibly honest pieces of work. I cannot say the same for 21CB though

[fadi_7]

i already wrote a post in here but .......i prefer warning cause american idiot i about self destruction i think and i don't understand anything from it and warning might not have better songs but i love it

[Jack]

definately

[The Platypus!]

Personally I like American Idiot best mainly because it was the first Green Day album I'd ever bought. Also Warning was a bit to slow for me apart from minority and castaway all the songs are a bit to slow if you get what I mean. Where as American Idiot is Loud for the most of it and I suppose that's how I like my music.

[murdercitykid]

Warning is the best album of Green Day, their style was awesome in the Warning era. I really don't like American Idiot that much, but it's a great album.

[Slappy.]

Warning!, it's one of the most underrated masterpieces ever!

[jensername]

Well, you can discuss the albums in the Green Day music section.

As for which one I think is better.. it depends on the day and what kind of music I want to listen to at a certain point. Personally, I prefer listening to Warning most of the time. I don't know if I think either American Idiot or Warning was 'better' for the band to release. I mean, they didn't release them for no reason. They liked the music and the lyrics, and they make an album. Maybe if they didn't make Warning, there wouldn't be American Idiot. And with American Idiot they got better lyrically and musically, and were more into the 'punk rock opera' thing, which led to 21st Century Breakdown eventually. So I think both were good for the band.

Very well said