Lauren Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 21st Century Breakdown review on Rock and Roll Report: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.iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18I actually quite like this review.If you wanna see the article on it's original website, click here.
Sharmellow Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 I think American Eulogy and Horseshoes and Handgrenades are Ipod worthy as well. Can't believe he left them out, but other than that, good review.
Lauren Posted June 25, 2009 Author Posted June 25, 2009 yeah, i agree that American Eulogy and Horshoes and Handgrenades should be up there, too. (come on, see the light? I don't really care for it)
Nova-Caine Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 U2 urgh god I hope not, apart from that good read
Lauren Posted June 25, 2009 Author Posted June 25, 2009 U2 urgh god I hope not, apart from that good read yeah, i kind of ignored that part. but he's just trying to say Green Day is good.
rage-love-life Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 Good review, but I think all the songs are iPod worthy.
Anja Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 Too lazy to read right now but how can he leave out East Jesus Nowhere?!
Guest Shangri-La Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 Well, he did say their "layers of lyrical depth" are comparable to U2 and not their music. He's only talking about their success.Billie Joe is a better songwriter than Bono will ever be.
Lauren Posted June 25, 2009 Author Posted June 25, 2009 Good review, but I think all the songs are iPod worthy.well duh
Sharmellow Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 Well, he did say their "layers of lyrical depth" are comparable to U2 and not their music. He's only talking about their success.Billie Joe is a better songwriter than Bono will ever be.Yes, I agree.
rage-love-life Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 well duh Yeah, I'm pretty sure everyone on here agrees that all the songs are awesome.
Lauren Posted June 25, 2009 Author Posted June 25, 2009 Yeah, I'm pretty sure everyone on here agrees that all the songs are awesome.but you have to look at it from someone else's point of view, someone who doesn't waste their life on GDC. I love this place. <3
NowhereBound Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 That was a great read, but he left out some really good songs...Well, imo, he shouldv'e listed 1-18 as Ipod worthy...
Guest Posted June 26, 2009 Posted June 26, 2009 but you have to look at it from someone else's point of view, someone who doesn't waste their life on GDC. I love this place. <3you're not wasting your life, you're basking the the awesomeness of green day
Lauren Posted June 26, 2009 Author Posted June 26, 2009 you're not wasting your life, you're basking the the awesomeness of green day true.
Peace and Rainbows Posted June 26, 2009 Posted June 26, 2009 east jesus nowhere is totally Ipod worthy!
Brian Posted June 26, 2009 Posted June 26, 2009 That was a great read, but he left out some really good songs...Well, imo, he shouldv'e listed 1-18 as Ipod worthy... This.
Lauren Posted June 26, 2009 Author Posted June 26, 2009 east jesus nowhere is totally Ipod worthy!True... actually, most of my favorite songs he didn't list as iPod worthy, except iViva la Gloria!
HoneyDo666 Posted June 26, 2009 Posted June 26, 2009 I think every song is ipod worthy...and yeah, I love GDC!Good review...like most of them!
Lauren Posted June 26, 2009 Author Posted June 26, 2009 Wait, where does it mention GDC?Or were you just saying that in general?
*_kiwi_* Posted June 26, 2009 Posted June 26, 2009 cool review, but he left out east jesus nowhere *-*yeah bono will never be as good as billie joe in writing songs anyways...I'm puzzled too, why did they choose know your enemy as a single?
Lauren Posted June 26, 2009 Author Posted June 26, 2009 because it's a fast, upbeat, catchy song.you may say you don't like it because you're a big Green Day fan who listens to all of their music.but think of all the 8-13 year olds who have never heard Green Day before. This song will get them hooked.
emmaILGD! Posted June 26, 2009 Posted June 26, 2009 I love Know Your Enemy, it's so catchy and makes you want to bounce I liked the review, however I agree with all of you when you say that all of the songs are ipod worthy.
Spastic Socialite Posted June 26, 2009 Posted June 26, 2009 I guess what they mean about KYE is lyrically it is very simple; and doesn't really show the full potential of the bandbut i do agree that all of the songs are "iPod worthy"
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