Top 5 Concept Albums of the 21st Century

2. American Idiot // Green Day

Resonating with thousands as an album of their youth, ‘American Idiot’ is a conceptual album that has born platinum accolades, a label as a “rock opera” and even a musical adaptation. Combining political criticism with a storyline centralised around a character known as “Jesus of Suburbia”, Green Day narrate a tale of doomed youth, failing America and self-discovery. Much like any great novelist, the band embeds their political critique behind the smokescreen of a detached narrative – using characters fictional settings such as Anytown, USA and a plot to actively attack the Bush administration in an intelligent, imaginative way – mimicking the style and substance pioneered by bands such as The Who.

Our protagonist suffers rejection, heartbreak, despair and drug abuse before progressing onto self-discovery and an attempted ascent to former glory. We experience life through the character’s eyes, feeling his emotive pain and wanting him to progress and improve, much like we do for characters in our favourite book or film. The album feels like a modern tragedy, echoing the works of Aristotle and Shakespeare in its narrative methods. Ultimately, however, the music takes the centre stage, filled to the brim with rock ballads that require screaming from the rooftops and an eclectic mix of iconic songs that can unite the music tastes of everyone.

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