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 Lightning strikes twice Aug 16, 2010
I've never disliked Green Day, but I can't say that I've been an avid fan, especially after the lackluster follow-ups to 1994's smash hit "Dookie". That began to change in 2004 with the release of their excellent "comeback" concept album "American Idiot". Now, 5 years later, "21st Century Breakdown" makes me want to buy a Green Day T-shirt to wear with pride.
"American Idiot" was a huge success at the critic and commercial level - these kinds of records, appearing after a decade of being together, create a fear in the fanbase that the last hurrah has been achieved...how in the world are they going to possibly top "American Idiot"? I must admit I had the same concern myself. With each passing year of nothing new from Billie Joe and the gang, I grew closer to writing off "American Idiot" as a fluke and concluding that the band had nothing more to say.
This could not have been more wrong. "21st Century Breakdown" is stupendous. I know it disturbs many of the old school Green Day fans, but the band's new musical direction (a logical extension of where they were headed with "American Idiot") takes their game to the next level. I believe this record will cement Green Day as a force to be reckoned with in the rock world.
Not only is the music on "21st Century Breakdown" some of the most accessible and melodic of their career, but the layers of lyrical depth have me believing that Green Day could be this generation's U2. The record is another concept album of sorts, tracing the history of a young couple (Christian and Gloria) through the first decade of the new millennium.
Produced by Butch Vig along with the band, and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, "21st Century Breakdown" is a sonic masterpiece. The band continues to experiment by adding piano and strings to their crunchy and punchy guitars, and their harmony vocals have never been more abundant and effective. There are almost too many good songs to pick favorites, but I'll go with "Viva La Gloria", "21 Guns", "Before the Lobotomy", and the title track. "Before the Lobotomy" is particularly cool because it starts out as an acoustic ballad that is 'covered' by the more traditional sounding Green Day towards the end of the song.
Absolutely terrific record. Don't let the current single "Know Your Enemy" fool you - it is one of the more simplistic and banal tracks. I am puzzled why it was selected as a single when so many of the other songs are far superior.
Key tracks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18
Bill's Music Forum review
Breaking down Green Day's latest Jul 12, 2010
Green Day's latest album, 21st Century Breakdown, is one of this year's most eagerly awaited music releases and it more than lives up to the anticipation. Their eighth studio album, and first since 2004's multi-platinum smash American Idiot, finds the band returning in peak form with the hits "Know Your Enemy" and "21 Guns." Many have speculated whether or not the band could recapture the success of their previous Grammy Award winning opus, but all of those fears have been put to rest with their latest three-part punk rock opera. 21st Century Breakdown delivers in abundance, clocking in at almost 70 minutes long, and is every bit as good as American Idiot, if not better.
The album is co-produced by Green Day and Butch Vig, famous for his work with Garbage, Smashing Pumpkins, and Nirvana, instead of their long time producer Rob Cavallo who co-produced their biggest hits. Despite the change in producers, the sound remains true to their usual punk-pop sound with plenty of angst and attitude. Breakdown is a return to the story concept album which follows two main characters named Christian and Gloria through their struggles in the post-Bush era. Throughout their journey, they try to stay together in spite of the tumultuous times they live in, as they find themselves trying to endure violence, economic hardship and city riots. Once again, Green Day has chosen to draw from the current state of events and incorporates them into the lyrics, which are told from the main characters' points of view.
Unlike American Idiot, this album is divided up into three acts which give the album a very distinct beginning, middle and end. This makes for a more diversified album and gives the listener the feeling that they have heard a complete story and traveled on a journey with the characters. Familiar musical themes are repeated throughout which have been designated to each of the characters, much in the same way John Williams did with his score in the Star Wars movies. The album's lyrics provide vivid images that almost allow the listener to visualize the action as it unfolds in each song.
With its ebb and flow balanced with up tempo tracks and melodic ballads, 21st Century Breakdown is another powerful and consistent offering that could very well be called Green Day's ultimate masterpiece. At the very least, it leaves us wondering what they will come up with next. Hopefully, we won't have to wait another five years until we find out.
¡Viva la Gloria! Jul 11, 2010
Another excellent album from Green Day. It's along the same lines of American idiot but not quite as good. That dosen't make it a bad album, with ¡Viva la Gloria! ,Know your Enemy and the amazing 21 Guns it can't go bad. A very good and enjoyable album.
A sort of cool down from American Idiot Jun 18, 2010
21st Century Breakdown although being a little bit tightly packed with tracks and having a slower more thoughtful lyric selection than its predecessor is a solid album held together not by the four singles released but by songs such as, "Before the Lobotomy" and "American Eulogy(Mass Hysteria/Modern Age). Green Day has definitely grown up since the 39/smooth and kerplunk days, this is relevant in songs such as, "21 Guns" and "21st Century Breakdown". What else can be said about a class B album from a class A band is that you need to try and remember most of the songs on this album although slower paced also use expanded instrumentals unlike in previous albums, and if anyone here has read reviews from albums such as, "Dookie" then you have seen the complaints about boring repetitive guitar riffs as well as songs. Green Day has tried to be attentive to their fans along with attempting to widen their audience. For all those who think Green day has become over commercialized, well yes they have but think about it from their perspective," if we have a hit album and make millions why stop?" naturally the instinct is to continue this path.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Don't Waste Your Money Jun 17, 2010
I was excited about hearing more from Green Day but I was really disappointed in this album. In my opinion the only good song on the whole thing is "Before the Lobotomy" other than that it is all boring. It feels like they are trying too hard and I would definately not spend your money on the whole thing, get a few songs if you want but I don't think the album is worth it.
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