 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
American Idiot
Common Sense Media says
Punk rock opera actually rocks!
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there are four-letter words and a few drug and alcohol references that make contextual sense in this long-awaited punk rock opera. Your mileage will vary, but there's nothing to worry about for most literate, sophisticated older teenagers.
What's the story?
It's been four years since the last Green Day album, and the long-awaited AMERICAN IDIOT turns out to be an elaborate punk rock concept album, blazing through new musical territory. The world's most popular punk band takes some real musical risks that mostly work. Musically, the songs reflect a variety of rock influences, from the Beatles to Pink Floyd to the Foo Fighters. Power ballads, Indian strings, and even a bit of pop sentiment combine with the band's classic punk sensibilities to deliver a complex and interesting album with a clear narrative flow. Many kids will relate to the frenetic pathos of "Tales of Another Broken Home" and "I Don't Care."
Is it any good?
The writing on American Idiot is vivid and compelling, if not always squeaky clean. Most literate, smart teenagers have heard far worse and will have no problem with the lyrics. The musicianship is both powerful and poignant; the singing is terrific. The album contains some disturbing, but articulate, images; but the music makes it worth talking through the hard stuff with mature teenagers.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why this album is referred to as a punk rock opera. What are some of the real-life issues that are dealt with? How do the different music styles contribute to the meaning of the songs?
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AGE
The american suburbs in musical form
This album, though it has some language, is good. It describes what happens in a typical suburb that parents don't know about. So if you want to know whats going on wit your kid, I suggest listening to it, especially if your child is a high schooler
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AGE
This album kicks ass
This is a really good album, the last of Green Day doing anything right. (After they became famous they lost their punk rock-ness and went for commerrcializing VH1) The music is amazing and, if you actually listen to the lyrics, incredibly deep. It talks alot about how the world is screwed up and makes many good points. This is a definite must buy.
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AGE
They're going to find out eventually...
This is one of the best Green Day albums ever. I've been listening to it since it came out (I was 10) and have always loved it. Yes, they swear and mention suicide, drugs, etc. but these are facts of life - if you shelter your kids from this then they'll grow up being naiive and have no idea about what lies out there, then get into trouble when they have no idea what's going on.
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AGE
One of my favorite albums
This best-selling album is excellent, and the language is not that bad. Parents, whether you approve or not, your kids ARE listening to this, and as far as I know, they arent running around killing people or swearing every other word.
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AGE
Great Album
Ok so like most Green Day fans I like the older albums better than the new ones, but that's just my opinion. I still think this is an awesome album and Holiday and Whatsername are definetly great songs. Violence: I don't know what you mean by a bloody grenade being violent, I mean really how much more over-protective could you be. Language: I mean sure there's language but I don't think Green Day's music would be enjoyable without it. Messages: Although St Jimmy is a drug dealer and a lot of the album is about dealing with drugs, that's his problem not your kids. I do think you should be older to really understand the ideas in this album. So all you over-protective parents, let your kid buy it.
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AGE
With parent supervision, even young kids can listen to this heavy rock, providing they hopefully don't interpret the themes. Green day has good tunes in this album, but the lyrics aren't exactly child friendly. Best preserved for teens.
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AGE
Great album
12+ really? I'm not prude, but the majority of 12 year old's would never get this album or what it's about. Nobody under the age of 14 even has a chance of getting the full message out of a political album, I bet few of them could even understand what the message of the cover is.
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Kid, 12 years old
May 15, 2011
AGE
Amazing.
Well to be honest with you I get really annoyed when children other then me listen to this, because they suddenly get the feeling they are "totally bada$s." They probably don't know what 'Mary Jane' is or what a fa*got is. Well other then that this album is AMA-ZING! It has the almost perfect balance of everything an album needs. A couple of F**k's and S**t's but thats pretty good. My favorite songs on it are 'Jesus of Suburbia, Holiday, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, and Longview'. Buy it for any mature young rocker!
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AGE
Great Band
This is my favorite Green Day album, and it talks about important stuff like the government. All kids in Junior High should be able to listen to this, and if younger kids' parents are okay with it then they should listen to it too.
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| Artist: | Green Day |
| Release date: | September 21, 2004 |
| Label: | Warner Brothers |
| Genre: | Punk Rock |
| Parental advisory: | Yes |
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