In celebration of American Idiot's release 12 years ago we'd like to share this article published on Alt Press. Written by someone who was 11 years old at the time the album was released, they reflect on the themes of American Idiot as they progressed through life.

[quote]I was 18 when I first moved to New York. I lived seven stories above an NYU academic center cluttered with classrooms that were typically left unlocked for late-night study sessions. It was here that I would break into one of these chambers of academia and fill every chalk board with the lyrics of American Idiot. I was convinced I knew every line by heart, and I wrote the entirety of my favorite Green Day album in bright white chalk simply because I could. I’ve known since 2005 that American Idiot is one of my all-time favorite albums, but it wasn’t until I turned 18 that I realized why.[/quote]

They discuss the lyrics from the album by comparing the lyrics to their previous work.

[quote]In American Idiot, there’s a lyrical sophistication that Green Day taps into seldom seen in any of their other records. They take lines like “I’m not part of your elite/I’m just alright” (“Stuck With Me,” Insomniac) and turn them into “And there’s nothing wrong with me/This is how I’m supposed to be/In a land of make believe/That don’t believe in me” (“Jesus Of Suburbia”).[/quote]

And a final quote to remind us of the story's title

[quote]Out of all of Green Day’s records, there’s a reason that this one has won a Grammy, had a documentary released on it, and had been adapted into a Tony-award winning Broadway musical.[/quote]

There are many more quote worthy lines but I'll let you guys check out the article. Let us know what you think in the comments below.