Green Day 21st Century Breakdown

Nearly 5 years since award winning album American Idiot, East Bay’s own Green Day step up with their eighth studio album 21st Century Breakdown. Produced for the first time by Butch Vig (Nevermind, Siamese Dream)
Billy Joe describes the concept of the album as a “snapshot of the era in which we live as we question and try to make sense of the selfish manipulation going on around us, whether it be the government, religion, media or frankly any form of authority.”
Some had feared that Green Day were going to hang it up, go out on a high note with American Idiot (as Blink-182 did after releasing their best album), but it wasn’t until October of ’08 when a video surfaced on youtube (showing the group recording in the studio) that the rumors and murmurings were quashed. Hailed as the ‘Epic Rock Release of the summer’ label Reprise Records is seriously hoping to have a profitable hit on their hands.

21st Century Breakdown continues the rock opera styling that were present in American Idiot minus the long tracks (which is good). The album is divided into three acts “Heroes and Cons,” “Charlatans and Saints,” and “Horseshoes and Hand Grenades” with a loose narrative that follows a young couple named Christian and Gloria through life in the United States following the presidency of George W. Bush. Some have criticized the “looseness” of the narrative calling it “vague” “Impossible to follow” “lacking the humor that was present in American Idiot” and “dreary” too name a few. However the album as a whole has received mostly great reviews. Averaging around 4 starts out of 5.

I like the fact that there is a concept, although I’m not too crazy about the concept itself, and I like how they are continuing the “Rock Opera” style. The fact that Butch Vig is behind the boards as producer I think speaks volumes and should interest those who gave up on Green Day or haven’t really given them a shot. Why? Butch Vig is the drummer for Garbage and produced classic 90′s multi-platinum selling albums such as “Nevermind” (Nirvana) and “Siamese Dream” (Smashing Pumpkins).
It took me awhile to warm up to American Idiot and I still haven’t given it all the attention it deserves, I am though, much more excited about 21st Century Breakdown then I was over American Idiot. My early listens/impressions of the album are very good, I think this album is an early contender for a spot on the Top 10 albums of ’09. It’s too early to tell if the singles will do as well (chart wise) compared to the singles of American Idiot but, 21st Century Breakdown as a whole is a better album in my opinion.

Check out the the review of Green Day’s “21st Century Breakdown” from contributor Chris Dandino of Benchwarmerstickets.com

So I stayed up late last night to download the new Green Day at Midnight. Luckily when the clock struck 12 my laptop did not turn back into an Etch-A-Sketch and I was able to download the deluxe album. The deluxe has 2 bonus tracks on it. I threw on the headphones, and tried to doze off with the new music. No luck, it was 2AM before I forced myself to fall out for the night. Yes, I love this CD. Long time fans of Green Day will be surprised at how different a sound this is for the trio, but at its heart it still beats Green. Besides, this type of thing is typical of almost all Green Day CD’s, just in smaller doses. While the airwaves are being pounded with music that is overly self indulgent, Green Day have delivered to us some questions to answer. Mainly what the fuck have we done to ourselves, why have we put our guard down and let the wrong people steer the ship into the abyss, and what are we going to (or are even able to) do about it for the sake of tomorrow? The album is filled with catchy tunes and is delivered in rock opera format. What I mean by this is that there are 18 original tracks, but there are often songs within songs (think Panic Song from Insomniac). GD have a keen ability to stack songs, one building on the momentum of the previous, and keeping the early tracks still relevant when you reach the last track. So when you find one song that you cant get out of your head, resist the temptation of buying the single and download the whole thing. It is album rock at it’s finest. If you crave old style Green Day, meaning 3-4 minute high energy songs, you will have a few tracks to keep you satisfied until you wrap your head around the newer sound. This album is a 5/5. I’m glad it’s good, now I can put my copy of Franz Ferdinand “Tonight” on the shelf for a minute while I listen to 21st Century Breakdown ad nauseum. Green Day will be touring this fall, and of course Benchwarmers will have the best seats just for you. One final note. Keep your fingers crossed that if this does become a real rock opera, Zach Effron will not be cast to play the lead. I’ve had it with that BS.

Want more thoughts on Green Day’s latest release?
Check out another perspective at PopDose.com

Here are two tracks that are my early favorites from 21st Century Breakdown.

Green Day – East Jesus Nowhere MP3
Green Day – Horseshoes and Handgrenades MP3

Check out the dates for Green Day’s Tour which is sure to be epic and one of the biggest tours of the summer.
The Bravery, The Kaiser Chiefs, and Franz Ferdinand are reported as supporting them on the tour, each band playing a portion of the dates with Green Day.
You can get some of the best seats available at BenchwarmersTickets.com and don’t forget to mention Down Charleston Blvd.

A sound investiment for any music fan

For The Record (Clearing The Air Of Stupidity With The opening Guitar Riff off of the track Brain Stew)

Now I have been seeing a few articles and blogs that are irritating to say the least. Calling Green Day the Grandfathers of punk.
First of all, Green Day did not start punk. Without going into a caffeine fueled sermon explaining this and citing various awesome bands let me refer you one of the best box sets that exist today, No Thanks! The ’70s Punk RebellionBuy the box set and the Sex Pistols “Never Mind the Bollocks” and ladies and gentlemen you have… Punk Rock. Oh and for the record, The guys and gals who started it, never intended it to be a “Fashion Statement”.

Look, Green Day is a great band, they have been very influential and carried on certain facets of traditional Punk Rock and helped to mold Alternative Rock and Punk/Pop. I have been a fan of Green Day since their early days and still remain a fan, however they are not the Grandfathers, or Fathers of Punk. They would be more like the Sons or nephews of Punk.
The second thing I have been seeing even more less musically inclined folks is that Green Day sold out or they sold out with American Idiot. The term ‘Sold Out” is so tired. as tired as “(Insert name here) Is The Next Dylan!” as I’m typing this Ryan Adams is singing in the headphones “I get so tired, I get so tired” in the track “Reasons You Lie” – (Thanks Ryan)
Alright back on to the topic, Green Day has made great strides that they should be very proud of, and yes their sound has changed/progressed/modified (whatever you want to call it) in some ways but this is simply called “progression”. There is nothing wrong with a Band who has been around as long as Green Day trying new things, new arrangements, concepts,. etc. Sure the long tracks in American Idiot turned off some old fans, I myself grew sometimes impatient, Punk Rock Songs (including some of Green Day’s) would often come in short powerful bursts and it can be difficult for fans to stick around for 7 to 8min+ tracks, especially after a few spins.

Green Day’s skill has not faltered, only improved. They have honed their abilities and perform them well. There is no mistaking a Green Day song, they stick to the formula(s) that work best for them. Not everyone will like it, and some hardcore fans may find themselves discouraged but please… stop with the (Insert Band Name Here) has Sold out!” or “Insert Band/Artist Here) Are Sellouts” I wont even go into all the reasons people think bands are sell outs because frankly, many of them are flat out ridiculous. take your anger and dissatisfaction of your own life and put it into something productive. Minor Threat said it best in the track “In My Eyes”

What the fuck have you done?

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