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1. Atreides says:

   May 17, 2010 at 6:47 pm

   I like the band, Green Day, and own all their CD’s….I listened to this soundtrack, and while I appreciate the Effort by all involved, I’m
   
   not a fan of rock bands, Disney or any other “intrusion” into Broadway.
   
   Maybe I’m just showing my age, but while I can appreciate the creative energy of bands like Green Day, I much prefer them on tour in stadiums and music halls to
   
   Broadway. I realize times have changed since Lerner and Lowe, or even Webber and Rice, and as much as I love the Who, I didn’t like Tommy being there either.
   
   Some things should still be sacred, but I know some who like “both” will disagree
   
   and that’s Fine by me.
   
   Rock is “Rock” and Broadway is Broadway, and while I know there are plenty of musicals from many eras that were in part influenced by their eras. I think ours is a time when anything that might “sell” is “packaged” including Rock….maybe Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee were “packaged” too, but Rock is at its Best nonconformist and not commercialized even to sell tickets on Broadway….IMHO.
   
   The original studio release by Green Day, with no help from choruses and
   
   other vocalists is still the BEST way to experience it, “no thanks”to the media.
   
   Atreides
   
   Rating: 3 / 5
2. Richard hall says:

   May 17, 2010 at 8:48 pm

   The original American Idiot was as galvanizing a piece of mainstream agitprop as I’ve ever heard – tuneful and moving at the same time. It ranks right near the top of my ’10 albums I’d insist on if I was on a desert island’ list. The Dookie boys had matured, looked around and created a near-perfect encapsulation of the unease and malaise a lot of us felt back in 2004 (and still feel).

   When I heard a Broadway production was in the works, it made sense, since the song sequence and narrative virtually screamed for a dramatic interpretation. But at the same time I was apprehensive – would the qualities that made it so memorable be leached out in an attempt to make it palatable to the masses? I need not have worried – this was created by folks with respect for the source material (as well as the band themselves) and the craft and diligence shows.

   Compiled largely from American Idiot (and a generous helping of songs from 21st Century Breakdown) the selections effortlessly convert from the original trio format to ensemble pieces. I’m partial to the blistering roar of songs like American Idiot, Letterbomb (my favorite tune off the source CD) and Too Much Too Soon, but the less raucous material (in particular a gorgeous version of 21 Guns) also packs a wallop. The arrangements, harmonies and vocal talent are all wonderful. Not a clunker in the bunch.

   An album I still play on a daily basis gets an amazing reworking and gives me another reason to swoon. Who says love isn’t better the second time around?
   Rating: 5 / 5
3. L. Dando says:

   May 17, 2010 at 8:52 pm

   At first, I was a bit hesitant to buy the cast recording of American Idiot. I am a huge Broadway fan (and a big John Gallagher Jr. fan as well), but I already love the original American Idiot album, and I couldn’t see how I would enjoy listening to different people singing Green Day’s original songs. How wrong I was!

   The original Broadway cast of American Idiot bring something so unique and engaging to an already incredible album. The new voices (and Tom Kitt’s arrangements) only enhance the album’s story, and this recording brings an entirely new energy to the original songs. A familiar album takes on a whole new life with the cast recording, and I just can’t wait to see this show on Broadway.

   Green Day is one of the last bands whose work I would expect to see with an original Broadway cast recording, but they have certainly found a home in this new territory.

   If you’re a Green Day fan: BUY THIS ALBUM!
   
   If you’re a Broadway fan: BUY THIS ALBUM!
   Rating: 5 / 5
4. MP3 Man says:

   May 17, 2010 at 9:16 pm

   Great Album! This takes American Idiot to a whole new level. If you love Green Day and American Idiot, you can’t hesitate to buy this.
   Rating: 5 / 5
5. Steven Valenti says:

   May 17, 2010 at 11:07 pm

   The inherent theatricality of Green Day’s seminal modern rock opera “American Idiot” on disc meant it was only a matter of time until, like The Who’s “Tommy,” it wound up on stage. And here it is, represented by this brilliant cast recording–a thrilling listen that proves, like “Tommy, “that a mark of a great musical piece is that it holds up in various incarnations. Such is the power of the music that it does not falter a bit without Green Day lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. John Gallagher Jr., Tony Vincent, Rebecca Naomi Jones, and the rest of the talented cast flesh out this story of disaffected youth, circa 2004, impressively (assisted by some added tracks from “21st Century Breakdown.”) Congrats to Green Day and the creative team for holding to their vision and taking a risk with this show. This ranks immediately as one of the great rock musical cast recordings.
   Rating: 5 / 5