21CB Deserves more...

[dolce]

I do agree that a large portion of why 21CB isn't as popular as AI is because of the music trends - when AI came out, rock was coming back into fashion, so to speak (IMO, thanks to Green Day). Now though, everywhere you look, RnB/Hip Hop (yuck) is most popular - also country music is quite popular now, I've noticed (blech).

21CB, to me, is a very artistic album. I mean, it's stunning. The songwriting is the best Billie has ever written, the songs on the album are diverse - I think it's an absolute masterpiece. Personally, I find it to be 100x better than American Idiot, and this is coming from someone who LOVES American Idiot. It's a HUGE progression to me from the last album.

It DOES deserve far more recognition that it is getting - it's the best album I have ever heard, and I am SO PROUD of the guys for making something so spectacular.

It has been well received by critics and obviously by award shows as well, which is great (not that it really matters how many awards they have, but it is nice that they're getting that recognition).

I couldn't have said it better myself, justcause - "I've thought since the beginning that this is the most low-key promotion of a highly-anticipated album that's possible, and it works for me. This time round, it feels like the focus is on the music and rebuilding a connection with the fanbase rather than hyping the fuck out of everything. I love the performance-based videos they put up on their site, and I love it that they sent out the lyrics to those artists who made up the exhibition that travels with the tour. That's how these songs came to us first also - the words, without the music. There's this whole sense of collaboration, communication and participation that didn't exist in the AI era, running right thru to the people who get pulled up onstage to belt out their version of Longview.

AI is an explosive, in-your-face album - 21CB is a lot more subtle, and so intensely personal that I feel like it would be almost wrong to have it whored out for the biggest sales or exposure, or even for awards that are meaningless on the whole. Real, true music like this will always find its way to the people who need to hear it."

That's exactly how I feel about it.

[Terrbear]

It's a good album, but I guess it depends on the time and stuff. AI came out at the right time.

[Mari91]

Agreed on both points, I think this is exactly the reason. The choice of singles and the way they've been handled has been very poor.

Having heard 21st Century Breakdown, I think it's better than American Idiot and I love it. But if I'd only heard the singles I would certainly have a different impression. I'd hear singles that are weaker than AI's singles and assume that the album is also weaker - so why bother with it? The singles, and the way they've been promoted, just don't do justice to such a spectacular album. They've even blown it with East Jesus Nowhere now, instead of taking the world by storm they've given it the most low-key, half-arsed release possible. Madness!

And yeah that's gotta have made a huge difference. Around 2004 rock music was almost like a new trend, every celebrity and music act wanted to be associated with it and it was all over the charts. I hardly see or hear of rock music these days. So even if they'd nailed it with the singles and promotion it probably would never have been as big as AI. Shame because it so deserves it.

I agree with you, Hermoine ,wholeheartedly

I also would like to add that the singles dont feel right on their own. 21st Century breakdown has to be listened to in it's entirety, where as with American Idiot the singles stood out on their own. I think most of us would agree that when KYE came out, we weren't too crazed, but when we heard it within the album, it fits in perfectly and you have a much better appreciation for it. People today dont by albums anymore, they buy the singles, so they really dont know what theyre missing.

The fact that people would rather listen to T.I. and Rhianna rather than bands like Green Day have definitely hurt the album's success.

[Sanny]

I agree with you, Hermoine ,wholeheartedly

I also would like to add that the singles dont feel right on their own. 21st Century breakdown has to be listened to in it's entirety, where as with American Idiot the singles stood out on their own. I think most of us would agree that when KYE came out, we weren't too crazed, but when we heard it within the album, it fits in perfectly and you have a much better appreciation for it. People today dont by albums anymore, they buy the singles, so they really dont know what theyre missing.

The fact that people would rather listen to T.I. and Rhianna rather than bands like Green Day have definitely hurt the album's success.

Oh you think so?

Personally, I think that you can't listen to a single single off of AI without knowing the rest of the album.

21stCB has got more songs that can stand on their own, they are not really attached to each other, not as the ones from AI.

But that's just what I think, I can in a way understand why you think it's the other way around

[Mari91]

I agree with most of what's been said so far. There wasn't half as much marketing for this album than there was for AI and besides that, the videos and singles aren't played a lot on TV/radio, at least here (okay, I rarely watch TV but from what I know, other styles of music are way more popular than rock music is). I can't complain about it though because with all the extensive radio airplay the singles off AI got, I became kind of annoyed by it and I would not want that to happen to the 21st Century Breakdown album. And why would they need to be #1 anyway? They sell out arenas, play all over the world and above all: they play Wembley Stadium next summer!!! Seeing us, their fans, is probably the most valuable thing they can get for their music.

aww Anja this is a great statement

but i have to disagree with one point, they definitely marketed the album when it first came out. At least here in America, (for sure New York), we had a whole rock station playing the new album from front to back when it was released. Green Day also held those meet and greet session, performed in small venues to let it be known that they were back! Its just that the Top 40 stations are not playing them at all now. People are too ignorant to go out and look for good music, they just listen to the crap on the radio.

Oh you think so?

Personally, I think that you can't listen to a single single off of AI without knowing the rest of the album.

21stCB has got more songs that can stand on their own, they are not really attached to each other, not as the ones from AI.

But that's just what I think, I can in a way understand why you think it's the other way around

yeah i personally agree that you have to listen to American Idiot as a whole, but i think the singles did a better job of separating themselves from the album. (am i making any sense? lol)

but songs like Wake Me Up When September Ends, you really didnt need to know the concept of American Idiot to understand the song.

[Sanny]

aww Anja this is a great statement

but i have to disagree with one point, they definitely marketed the album when it first came out. At least here in America, (for sure New York), we had a whole rock station playing the new album from front to back when it was released. Green Day also held those meet and greet session, performed in small venues to let it be known that they were back! Its just that the Top 40 stations are not playing them at all now. People are too ignorant to go out and look for good music, they just listen to the crap on the radio.

In Austria the album was not marketed AT ALL. I heard about the new single on a German TV channel and as I said, the FIRST commercial they showed on TV about the new album was shown yesterday ._.

But I must admit that there is hardly a band that gets good promotion over here...except U2, some girl with brown hair (sorry, forgot her name), Taylor Sift *cough* and and and x___X

But I'll tell you what: "When an American band makes it in England Austria, that's when you know you've really fuckin' made it!"

yeah i personally agree that you have to listen to American Idiot as a whole, but i think the singles did a better job of separating themselves from the album. (am i making any sense? lol)

but songs like Wake Me Up When September Ends, you really didnt need to know the concept of American Idiot to understand the song.

Yes, I think the same exact thing about WMUWSE, I always did. For me it never fit in the concept.

But I believe it's hard to understand a song like 'Jesus Of Suburbia' if you don't know what happened before (American Idiot) and after (Holiday) the story

I thought that's why they released the singles, it would be Track number 1 (american Idiot), 2 (JoS), 3 (Holiday), 4 (BoBD) and then 11 for WMUWSE that can stand as an own track

[Velocity]

Several people before me have said it so much better than I ever could hope to say. But I really think that the popular music scene is vastly different from the way it was five years ago. Back then, rock music may not have been the most popular thing, but it was definitely more prevalent than it is currently. Now, the airwaves are filled with dance music. Top 40 listeners only want to hear music that they can grind to, and Green Day's music isn't like that. As a result, not many people are giving them a chance anymore.

And I definitely agree with the promotion thing. From what I've seen, promotion for this album has been extremely poor. I think better singles could have been chosen, and even songs with single potential such as East Jesus Nowhere weren't given the chance. EJN had the potential to be a hit on rock radio, but the lack of a true video ruined its chances.

It's sad, seeing one of the most anticipated albums of the decade being received so quietly and with such little attention. Granted, maybe it's better this way considering the super-hype that was American Idiot, and now we have the chance to enjoy 21CB more as hardcore fans, but I feel like Green Day put their hearts and souls into this. They deserve all the attention and acclaim they can get.

[Mari91]

In Austria the album was not marketed AT ALL. I heard about the new single on a German TV channel and as I said, the FIRST commercial they showed on TV about the new album was shown yesterday ._.

But I must admit that there is hardly a band that gets good promotion over here...except U2, some girl with brown hair (sorry, forgot her name), Taylor Sift *cough* and and and x___X

But I'll tell you what: "When an American band makes it in England Austria, that's when you know you've really fuckin' made it!"

Yes, I think the same exact thing about WMUWSE, I always did. For me it never fit in the concept.

But I believe it's hard to understand a song like 'Jesus Of Suburbia' if you don't know what happened before (American Idiot) and after (Holiday) the story

I thought that's why they released the singles, it would be Track number 1 (american Idiot), 2 (JoS), 3 (Holiday), 4 (BoBD) and then 11 for WMUWSE that can stand as an own track

haha hopefully they'll make it big in Austria!

do they have a lot of fans there?

Taylor Swift is EVERYWHERE!

although i really do like her

American Idiot to me never had anything to do with the actually story of Jesus, St. Jimmy Whatsername etc. But i completely understand the whole JOS, Holiday and BOBD thing. They DEFINITELY have to be played all together

[Hermione]

I also would like to add that the singles dont feel right on their own. 21st Century breakdown has to be listened to in it's entirety, where as with American Idiot the singles stood out on their own. I think most of us would agree that when KYE came out, we weren't too crazed, but when we heard it within the album, it fits in perfectly and you have a much better appreciation for it. People today dont by albums anymore, they buy the singles, so they really dont know what theyre missing.

I agree. For me, the part of the album that really isn't represented by the singles is it's quirkiness. It has a magical, fantastic feeling going through it, so many wonderfully quirky and theatrical songs like Little Girl, Peacemaker, Christian's Inferno, etc, etc, etc. Now there is nothing ordinary about the songs they've released, but it seems as though they're the most ordinary sounding of an unordinary bunch. Even small details like removing the interesting intro from the radio version of 21 Guns add up to give the impression that the album must be much blander than it is.

A low key approach is all very well but it's come off as more bland than low key to me. I'd rather see as bold an approach to single choice as they have to album making - or at least an approach to single choice that lets the singles accurately represent the album.

[Blond-O-Sonic Shimmer Trap]

I think with Green Day, the people who didn't want to like their new albums didn't like them, (Pitchfork and other pretentious "music journalism" shite, that I have no time or respect for. Blah blah they sold out it was 15 years ago ffs) and critics who had an open mind certainly enjoyed 21st Century Breakdown.

One thing that annoyed me was the "template" pretty much every reviewer used. "Here's a band who used to sing about masturbation, then they became less successful then brought out AI which made them successful again, thanks to George Bush". About 80% of the reviews I read for 21st CB were like that.

It definitely works more as an album, there isn't one stand out song really. But I think American Idiot was their Appetite For Destruction, their London Calling, their masterpiece. (I personally prefer The Clash US with Complete Control though).

To expect that kind of success again was asking too much, the best 21st Century Breakdown could have done was to not be overshadowed by its predecessor. It kept a lot of the elements of AI, moved on in many, evolved from AI yet had more "Old skool" moments than AI. Basically it can stand up to AI and that's all you can do to follow up probably the biggest most epic album of the 00's.

[Sanny]

haha hopefully they'll make it big in Austria!

do they have a lot of fans there?

Taylor Swift is EVERYWHERE!

although i really do like her

American Idiot to me never had anything to do with the actually story of Jesus, St. Jimmy Whatsername etc. But i completely understand the whole JOS, Holiday and BOBD thing. They DEFINITELY have to be played all together

Actually, yes!

The show on Friday was sold out if that means they got a lot of fans lol

[novacaine_kid]

well,the sputnikmusic and pitchfork as two of very professional and great critics didn't give it a high rate.

Thats just 2 reviews out of hundreds though to be fair

The EJN thing is baffling though, think of the video ideas they could have had for that song. But really, I got to see them live on this tour, will see them again next year, I'm not that bothered if the album doesn't do as well.

[karma1215]

Hell yes... this album is amazing . I think it's one of the best out there right night.

Hell yes... this album is amazing . I think it's one of the best out there right night.

[Sanny]

I think with Green Day, the people who didn't want to like their new albums didn't like them, (Pitchfork and other pretentious "music journalism" shite, that I have no time or respect for. Blah blah they sold out it was 15 years ago ffs) and critics who had an open mind certainly enjoyed 21st Century Breakdown.

One thing that annoyed me was the "template" pretty much every reviewer used. "Here's a band who used to sing about masturbation, then they became less successful then brought out AI which made them successful again, thanks to George Bush". About 80% of the reviews I read for 21st CB were like that.

It definitely works more as an album, there isn't one stand out song really. But I think American Idiot was their Appetite For Destruction, their London Calling, their masterpiece. (I personally prefer The Clash US with Complete Control though).

To expect that kind of success again was asking too much, the best 21st Century Breakdown could have done was to not be overshadowed by its predecessor. It kept a lot of the elements of AI, moved on in many, evolved from AI yet had more "Old skool" moments than AI. Basically it can stand up to AI and that's all you can do to follow up probably the biggest most epic album of the 00's.

Well said

[dolce]

I think with Green Day, the people who didn't want to like their new albums didn't like them, (Pitchfork and other pretentious "music journalism" shite, that I have no time or respect for. Blah blah they sold out it was 15 years ago ffs) and critics who had an open mind certainly enjoyed 21st Century Breakdown.

One thing that annoyed me was the "template" pretty much every reviewer used. "Here's a band who used to sing about masturbation, then they became less successful then brought out AI which made them successful again, thanks to George Bush". About 80% of the reviews I read for 21st CB were like that.

I agree (way more than 100%!).

I get the feeling so many journalists are SO fixated on Green Day's past that they can't get past it enough to write a real damn review. They're so caught up on "some people think they're sellouts" and "the brats from the Bay Area finally grew up" that I want to smack them in the face.

They're grown men with families. They've grown up, and with that, their music has progressed, so has their "look". Being a sellout is compromising your beliefs to make money or gain fame. That's the definition. It has nothing to do with "going from wearing tee shirts to all black and guyliner" or "having a mix of classic rock in with punk". Green Day has always just wanted to better themselves as musicians and make good fucking music. And that's something they have always stayed true to. I don't understand the sellout argument as far as they're concerned, and I don't understand why music journalists - professionals - bring up such a juvenile subject so often.

When they talk about this crap, it's an automatic "don't take this band seriously", and I HATE that. The guys have a ton of fun and love what they do. But they also work their asses off to make amazing music.

One of my favorite articles about them was the most recent Rolling Stone cover story they had. It showed so beautifully how much of themselves they put into their music, and how much of himself Billie puts into his writing.

[Harinezumi]

It hasn't been promoted enough here either, I've barely seen anything in record stores or on tv. When AI came out it was everywhere, which annoyed me to no end because I wasn't a fan yet.

But I don't think it's a problem, because I have a feeling that Finland has a lot of closet GD fans.

[Blond-O-Sonic Shimmer Trap]

The key thing you have to look at is the stuff he's writing about, to get inside his head and think "is he writing about fake stuff? is he just making stuff up because it sells? Or is he actually writing about stuff that means something?" You can't tell me that someone like Bon Jovi actually writes anything from the heart anymore, like he feels he could still write his best song, its just regurgitating whatever they did before 20years ago. To me, THAT's selling out, that's just writing music for the sake of making money and having a new album out to tour, and make money.

From Kerplunk right through to 21st Century Breakdown Billie-Joe has had songs about Adrienne and the thing is they show how their relationship has changed, it's not just "There's this girl, she's so great" for 20 years. 2000 Light Years Away, Westbound Sign, Worry Rock, Redundant, Church On Sunday, Minnesota Girl, Last of the American Girls. The list goes on. The songs may have become more anthemic and classic rock influenced but he's always wrote about stuff that actually happens or he actually feels, like from missing someone who lives miles away to wanting them to move away from their hometown to be with you, to how things in your marriage can get stale. He isn't writing about chasing women in some kind of Motley Crue style, he pretty much tells it as it is. Which is hardly selling out. I'm not going to deny that some of the lyrics on 21st Century Breakdown don't get a little clumsy at some points but his head's in the right place, he's not writing stuff for money, he's telling a story, and using shit that goes on inside his own head.

[Jaymee!!]

I don't think 21st CB is getting enough credit. The problem is is that it's been put out at the wrong time, and the world isn't as into Green Day as it was 5 years ago. IMO, 21st is better than AI, but the type of music that's 'in' right now is just too off for anyone to take notice.

The album definitely deserves more credit and appreciation than what it's been receiving so far. I always do my little part and move any 21st CB cds in stores to the front of the bin, sometimes moving them to the Chart Picks so people will see it haha <3

[novacaine_kid]

Sad thing is I think the world would rather listen to Lady Gaga and Lil Wayne or some shit like that, than listen to band with proper musicians and the intellect and talent to write their own songs such as Green Day :/

[Anja]

This was such a great statement, it's making me cry

Oh, sorry to make you cry And thanks!

aww Anja this is a great statement

but i have to disagree with one point, they definitely marketed the album when it first came out. At least here in America, (for sure New York), we had a whole rock station playing the new album from front to back when it was released. Green Day also held those meet and greet session, performed in small venues to let it be known that they were back! Its just that the Top 40 stations are not playing them at all now. People are too ignorant to go out and look for good music, they just listen to the crap on the radio.

Thank you Mari!

Yeah, I agree with that! I was referring to the marketing in my own country. I was in the US right before the album came out and I agree that they have done a lot of marketing there like the small club shows () or all the radio, TV and magazine interviews.

And I think you're definitely right when you say that people are too ignorant or just don't care enough about "good music" anymore. I even stopped watching music channels here in Germany because e.g. MTV a.) rarely plays music anymore and b.) mostly just plays R'n'B, House, Hip Hop or whatever styles of music there are. It's sad when you think about it. But I don't really mind it cause it just means that (almost) all the bands I listen to aren't really mainstream and I do like that part.

[Kryssi.]

I agree. I wish that this album was more commercially successful just the same as American Idiot was back when it was released.

[Anja]

Sad thing is I think the world would rather listen to Lady Gaga and Lil Wayne or some shit like that, than listen to band with proper musicians and the intellect and talent to write their own songs such as Green Day :/

This. Every time I'm asked what kind of music I listen to, I answer: "Handmade music" and people are like =D

And lucky you for going to see RA in the Brixton Academy! *jealous*

[dolce]

The key thing you have to look at is the stuff he's writing about, to get inside his head and think "is he writing about fake stuff? is he just making stuff up because it sells? Or is he actually writing about stuff that means something?" You can't tell me that someone like Bon Jovi actually writes anything from the heart anymore, like he feels he could still write his best song, its just regurgitating whatever they did before 20years ago. To me, THAT's selling out, that's just writing music for the sake of making money and having a new album out to tour, and make money.

From Kerplunk right through to 21st Century Breakdown Billie-Joe has had songs about Adrienne and the thing is they show how their relationship has changed, it's not just "There's this girl, she's so great" for 20 years. 2000 Light Years Away, Westbound Sign, Worry Rock, Redundant, Church On Sunday, Minnesota Girl, Last of the American Girls. The list goes on. The songs may have become more anthemic and classic rock influenced but he's always wrote about stuff that actually happens or he actually feels, like from missing someone who lives miles away to wanting them to move away from their hometown to be with you, to how things in your marriage can get stale. He isn't writing about chasing women in some kind of Motley Crue style, he pretty much tells it as it is. Which is hardly selling out. I'm not going to deny that some of the lyrics on 21st Century Breakdown don't get a little clumsy at some points but his head's in the right place, he's not writing stuff for money, he's telling a story, and using shit that goes on inside his own head.

I feel the exact same way. The pure emotion that goes into the writing of these songs, how personal they are - you don't find that with any old songwriter. Everything is from the heart, and is so candid. From family life to anxiety - Billie so perfectly expresses human emotion, rather than just a song that sounds cute and will make a ton of money.

Their music isn't just "music" to me. It's something you can put a label on. Green Day's songs have so profoundly touched so many people, it's incredible.

You know, for many instances people want to be able to say "I'm the #1 fan, I love them most of all!"... not with Green Day. They have all effected are lives in different ways, ways that have made us happy, made us at peace with ourselves, and sometimes even saved our lives. And the cool thing about that is that we all just want to share what they've done for us. No one is competing - they're important in all our lives.

[spark in the night]

American Idiot was released at the right place, at the right time

it was successful as it was by chance

[boosho]

WOW!!

Firstly, I would just like to say I am soo glad i found you guys, people who get what i am talking about and not looking at with blank faces thinking "what the fuck is she talking about".. I should have starting coming here years ago...

Secondly, I totally see and agree with everything that has been said about the promotions, the singles and the everything else. I have to say i dont listen to radio or watch music channels (the last time i turned the radio on was like 10 mths ago). So am not very familiar with music trends, but i remember when AI came out there was soo much hype but now for 21CB there is hardly any talk about it.. But i guess ppl just prefer shittier music now..

It's sad, seeing one of the most anticipated albums of the decade being received so quietly and with such little attention. Granted, maybe it's better this way considering the super-hype that was American Idiot, and now we have the chance to enjoy 21CB more as hardcore fans, but I feel like Green Day put their hearts and souls into this. They deserve all the attention and acclaim they can get.

This is exactly how i feel and why i brough up the topic to begin with. But i do feel much better about it now, knowing that at least we get it and love it and thats what matters...

And to quote Bille "YOU GUYS FUCKING RULE MAN"