The Harvard Political Review's article on American Idiot after ten years

[emilylw]

The Harvard Political Review just published an article on American Idiot and the politics of the music album! Check it out here:

http://harvardpolitics.com/covers/growing-green-day-millennials-10-years-american-idiot/

[Heather.]

Everyone read this because the HPR somehow got a new and exclusive interview with Billie Joe. At least, they claim he spoke to them and the quotes seem fresh, even if it's rehashing the same old topics.

[WhiteTim]

I kinda cringe when I see AI refered to as a political album when it really not aside from 2 songs

I see folks on other place all "its so political blah blah blah" no Pearl Jam's Riot Act was a very anti Bush anti politics album AI isnt that much...

But this is a good article

[Heather.]

I kinda cringe when I see AI refered to as a political album when it really not aside from 2 songs

I see folks on other place all "its so political blah blah blah" no Pearl Jam's Riot Act was a very anti Bush anti politics album AI isnt that much...

But this is a good article

I agree, though it is a good millennial coming of age in a political time album.

21st CB is obviously much more political but it didn't have quite the appeal. I guess few overtly political things become super widespread, they have to be fairly diluted, as AI was.

[Jollyroger118]

I've always seen it as more of a human story but tells our (or my) generations frustrations and state of minds very well. I've seen St. Jimmy's and Whatsernames and some of the most beautiful people ever were from the underbelly so to speak. It hits home on how easy it is to feel insignificant now and days and how all your ideals and spirit can die if your not careful. "Jesus is filling out paperwork now" and that whole verse is one of my favorites, one because its just awesome music, but also because he sounds so bored and miserable and I look at some of the kids I know now and that's exactly how they'll feel if they end up with some shitty job at a shitty place. Most of them will go the St. Jimmy route though to the end, whatever that may be. I love this album more than anything and the fact that its so right and accurate when it was written by someone twice my age is really cool. Its why the trilogy and whatever else may happen cant really ruin my image on Billie's poetic ability and his insight and empathy. There wont ever be an album quite like it again, for me, but that's why I write songs now today. Ahhh Green Day I love you so

[Sofouska]

[...the musical grounds itself in a specific sociopolitical context...]

It is a political album, even if the songs aren't specifically talking about plain politics, they're talking about people who try to find their way in this mess that has been created by the establishment, the corruption and the politicians.

It's a beautiful article, it had me from the title and the opening paragraph.

The Jesus of Suburbia, who introduced himself as the “son of rage and love,” must now choose between the embodiments of the two ideals.

This is amazing, this is pretty much how I always thought of it. If you take a moment and think about it,this is bigger than some good songs playing on the radio. Holy crap.

[beejeezee]

Very nice read.

[Alan86]

I kinda cringe when I see AI refered to as a political album when it really not aside from 2 songs

I see folks on other place all "its so political blah blah blah" no Pearl Jam's Riot Act was a very anti Bush anti politics album AI isnt that much...

But this is a good article

The album has the same name as one of the political songs so it will always be referred to as a polotical album.

[Overjoyyed]

Wow! Amazing article .

[Hermione]

What a fantastic reflection on the album! Great read.

[desertrose]

Great article!

[Z J]

I kinda cringe when I see AI refered to as a political album when it really not aside from 2 songs

I see folks on other place all "its so political blah blah blah" no Pearl Jam's Riot Act was a very anti Bush anti politics album AI isnt that much...

But this is a good article

I'm a couple of weeks behind on this, but "political" doesn't have only to do with politics. The political themes exist in more than just 2 songs on the album.

[WhiteTim]

I'm a couple of weeks behind on this, but "political" doesn't have only to do with politics. The political themes exist in more than just 2 songs on the album.

Umm ok...

[Z J]

Umm ok...

I mean this is the part where you either tell me I'm an idiot or agree with me…..

at least that's how it usually goes.

[WhiteTim]

I mean this is the part where you either tell me I'm an idiot or agree with me..

at least that's how it usually goes.

Lol naw I don't agree really but that's just my opinion I openly admit I think differently than others