21CB Deserves more...

[Tiffx]

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.

Definitely agree with you there. American Idiot was what it was, a huge success in a politically charged era where everyones focus was on the war and the strategies employed by the Bush administration. American Idiot as a single within itself was perfect, it drew people in because it was different from what other artists were writing about, yet at the same time so relevant. I know true GD fans know that AI was not just a political album, songs like Jesus Of Suburbia were so emotionally deep and connected to the younger generation which included me at the time. But the mainstream took the record at face value, and it was understood as a political album with a relevant political message and catchy singles. IMO this is why AI was a success, it kind of was like Green Day's London Calling. Can't expect that sort of success to be repeated, it was great while it lasted.

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.

So true. The whole sellout label has always seemed so ridiculous and immature to me. GD have always been true to their beliefs and it shows in their writing and music. I don't give a fuck if they wear black or whatever. Also I respect those underground bands who wish to stay true to their hardcore fanbase and not give into the mainstream, but GD have worked so hard for where they are today and they deserve every ounce of success they achieve. They are a blessing to the mainstream if anything else, people could do with some music that has substance.

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.

Exactly. I don't believe for a second GD are a band who have abandoned their beliefs, they continue to put everything into their music and write songs from the heart. I don't think they are giving the mainstream what they think it wants to hear either. 21CB is such an in depth record talking about feeling trapped within the current political, social and economic structure and it forces people to think rather than just absorb what is thrown at them without questioning it. It's a concept album and not many artists are making those currently.

At the end of the day, all I care about is their music and seeing them live. Whether or not other people have taken time to appreciate the album doesn't really matter, although it would be nice if I had friends who enjoyed their music too. 21CB may not have been truly appreciated by the mainstream and media, but the fact is that what the majority of people enjoy now is vastly different from the AI era and even before that. I think it's true that rock music in general has faded into the background as pop/dance music and R&B take over. That's okay, GD still have their true fans around.

[RebelofSuburbia]

Call me seelfish or wahtever, but I actually like that it's not become so popular that I've started to hate the songs. Because that's kinda what happened to me with AI, and also all my friends who kinda liked GD though they weren';t crazy about them, now completely hate them.

I was thinking the same thing..

Well not exactly because I've never started to hate any of Green Day's songs because they got popular.

But I like how it's a bit more low-key this time. When I saw Green Day back in 2005, at least half the venue was filled with people that were mental about American Idiot, and nothing else. This time around, I saw Green Day twice and felt like I was in a venue surrounded only by people who really feel attatched to Green Day for whatever reason and it felt so much more like we all were in the same rollercoaster ride of excitement together

Don't get me wrong, I think 21st Century Breakdown is an amazing album and it absolutely desirves some credit. But with almost all critics giving praise to Green Day for this album I don't think it's been undercredited. I value some music critic's opinion much more as some promo-ad on tv, but maybe that's just me

[HoneyDo666]

This album was marketed like crazy before it came out! What with the Rolling Stone cover, their NYC takeover, small club shows, radio spots, and that NBA thing.

I think Green Day need to release a great catchy single, God knows 21CB is full of them! How awesome would it be if they won a bevy of Grammy's (ALBUM OF THE YEAR!) and then played the Superbowl Halftime Show! Seriously, just imagine it!

I would like to be optimistic and think that Green Day will get even bigger in 2010. Maybe the musical will move to Broadway and stir up a whole lotta hype!

They never stop surprising us!

[Salmonator.]

I do too.

But I don't think some of the teenagers would appreciate it

as others would.

Also, Don't bash me for saying this, but I get kinda confused when they say that

it's the "album of their career"

I don't agree with that, it's definately doesn't top AI in my opinion.

[Chelsea Hotel]

21CB hasn't had a massive hit single like AI had right off the bat.

[Salmonator.]

21CB hasn't had a massive hit single like AI had right off the bat.

True. 21 Guns was really succesful where I live though.

But not as, like, good as the ones from AI did to people.

Like, I played 21stCB for my freinds, and they thought a majority of the songs

were really boring.

I don't agree at all, but I sorta hope on the next album there will be more faster and punk'ier

songs.

[Shadowiegirl]

I think 21CB is getting pretty much what it deserves. And that is not a negative statement by any means, just an observation.

[The Disappearing Boy]

im gonna agree with you there.

[Sarahnade.]

I think Green Day should put out a single that would show people how rocking the album is, like Hermione kind of said. If 'Peacemaker,' 'American Eulogy' or something was a single, people might be more interested.

But, the album has sold a couple million copies, and they are still filling up big arenas when they play, so I think 21CB has been successful. Not as successful as AI, but AI was their comeback, pretty much; and 21CB isn't as controversial as AI. The single 'American Idiot' got everyone talking, and KYE was just a fun song for people to sing along to. If that makes sense.

I love the album, but I think it's doing alright. Part of me doesn't want it to be as successful as AI, just because I don't want to deal with an explosion like that. When you read articles on the album, reviews, etc. it seems like people understand how awesome the album is, and that's all you can really ask for. Sometimes it feels like it needs more recognition, but, in general, I think everything's fine how it is.

[Salmonator.]

I think Green Day should put out a single that would show people how rocking the album is, like Hermione kind of said. If 'Peacemaker,' 'American Eulogy' or something was a single, people might be more interested.

But, the album has sold a couple million copies, and they are still filling up big arenas when they play, so I think 21CB has been successful. Not as successful as AI, but AI was their comeback, pretty much; and 21CB isn't as controversial as AI. The single 'American Idiot' got everyone talking, and KYE was just a fun song for people to sing along to. If that makes sense.

I love the album, but I think it's doing alright. Part of me doesn't want it to be as successful as AI, just because I don't want to deal with an explosion like that. When you read articles on the album, reviews, etc. it seems like people understand how awesome the album is, and that's all you can really ask for. Sometimes it feels like it needs more recognition, but, in general, I think everything's fine how it is.

Yeah. Like I want them to be successful, but at the same time there's another part of me that doesn't want that explosion either.

I think they should release Horseshoes and Handgrenades as a single. That would be one lovely music video

I heard that BTL was gonna be released as a single, and as much as I love that song, I don't think the rest of the public would appreciate it as much, or get very much radio play.

[Mari91]

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.

Agree complete, could not have said it any better myself!

Actually, yes!

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

awesome!

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.

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.

Oh god, i'm so sick of reading that OVER and OVER again.

I really hate the critics that do this. Its almost like "Hey, look people, brats do grow up!". But i think it should be used as a model for future bands to work this hard and produce such amazing music such as Green Day has.

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.

haha yes, you're a world traveler!

It must have been awesome to see Green Day perform in their home town.

and seriously with the MTV shit, i dont even bother anymore.

[Tiffx]

I think Green Day should put out a single that would show people how rocking the album is, like Hermione kind of said. If 'Peacemaker,' 'American Eulogy' or something was a single, people might be more interested.

But, the album has sold a couple million copies, and they are still filling up big arenas when they play, so I think 21CB has been successful. Not as successful as AI, but AI was their comeback, pretty much; and 21CB isn't as controversial as AI. The single 'American Idiot' got everyone talking, and KYE was just a fun song for people to sing along to. If that makes sense.

I love the album, but I think it's doing alright. Part of me doesn't want it to be as successful as AI, just because I don't want to deal with an explosion like that. When you read articles on the album, reviews, etc. it seems like people understand how awesome the album is, and that's all you can really ask for. Sometimes it feels like it needs more recognition, but, in general, I think everything's fine how it is.

American Eulogy definitely needs to be a single. But we'll see.

[Salmonator.]

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.

I agree. I believe EJN could have been an AMAZING music video.

It could have been. I wish they actually made one for it.

[Brian]

I totally agree with you. American Idiot was AMAZING! And in my personal opinion, I feel 21st Century Breakdown deserves just as much recognition as American Idiot deserves.

[Jacob.]

Warner has once again fucked up. This album should be more out there, but its not. The single choices weren't that great because the 21st Century Breakdown demo leaked so they released Know Your Enemy instead. not good choice.

Thanks to whoever leaked the demo

[Sarahnade.]

Yeah. Like I want them to be successful, but at the same time there's another part of me that doesn't want that explosion either.

I think they should release Horseshoes and Handgrenades as a single. That would be one lovely music video

I heard that BTL was gonna be released as a single, and as much as I love that song, I don't think the rest of the public would appreciate it as much, or get very much radio play.

Exactly. I think American Eulogy would make an amazing single, and it would show people the album has more substance than songs like KYE and 21 Guns. Peacemaker would be good too. I actually think BTL would be good, but I dunno. Shaking things up a bit has always been good for them. EJN and 21CB are out, though, and have cool videos.

[Chelsea Hotel]

American Eukogy is my favorite song off 21CB, I would love to see it get a single release/video.

[Mistress.Kate]

Well, AI was a total success... and 21CB, it released on may and they've made tours, released singles and stuff, they've won awards, tour's going fine (I'm still waiting for them to come with some latinamerica tour so I can watch them live, though. I really hope they will next year! *she went off topic, for a moment* ).

So what do you guys mean with more recognition? Like more radio play? Or more fans getting crazy about their music or something?

I don't know how much of recognition it's getting in every place of the world but, to me '21CB' album talks by itself. It totally rocks!

And maybe lots of people don't see it, cause they don't listen to the whole album cover to cover. The magic of it lies on listening song by song 'til the end of it. It's like a book, what other people get it's just a chapter of it.

It must be heard as a full, otherwise it won't get the real recognition that it trully deserves.

That's what I think.

[BraedonHorbacio]

I don't think American Idiot would have been as popular if it didn't have the word idiot in it. It was like a gimmick, but Green Day didn't even know it. It attracted lot's of little kid's and people who were ignorant to the real meaning. They just thought it was cool how it said idiot.

[LilyMarie]

Not trying to spam here, but jnjglanz2009 , omfg your sig his a TOTALLY HILARIOUS WIN!

*~*~*~

Anyway, I agree about the choices of Singles. KYE was alright to start with, I guess, though it got commercialed to DEATH there for a bit - I wish they'd gone with EJN right after and then maybe 21 Guns/Little Girl. That's part of the issue. I also think, like I said before, that it'll pick up momentum and turn out to be pretty huge.

I also agree with whoever said that it'd be nice for the next album to have a faster/more punk/fun type feel to it.

(Sorry, I read thru the whole thread and now have forgotten who said it.)

[HoneyDo666]

Not trying to spam here, but jnjglanz2009 , omfg your sig his a TOTALLY HILARIOUS WIN!

*~*~*~

Anyway, I agree about the choices of Singles. KYE was alright to start with, I guess, though it got commercialed to DEATH there for a bit - I wish they'd gone with EJN right after and then maybe 21 Guns/Little Girl. That's part of the issue. I also think, like I said before, that it'll pick up momentum and turn out to be pretty huge.

I also agree with whoever said that it'd be nice for the next album to have a faster/more punk/fun type feel to it.

(Sorry, I read thru the whole thread and now have forgotten who said it.)

Yeah, I think this album is nowhere near done! I think the momentum will pick up next year!

21CB rocks!

[Vanilla Shake]

I have a feeling that Know Your Enemy killed this album. It was all over the place back in April and May, and just about everyone I know hated it. I know a lot of people who love Green Day, but they just loathed Know Your Enemy. And even though I'm a huge fan of them, I have to admit that the song did get old pretty fast. So I'm thinking that most people heard the new song, got tired of it and presumed the same would happen if they bought the entire album. And ever since then I've yet to hear 21 Guns, East Jesus Nowhere or any other single from the album on the radio.

I hate to say it but I don't think this will be picking up any more momentum. Just be happy that it's not a bust and is doing good for the band.

[madswester]

you are right and i think its pretty sad :/

[RobyRoom]

I have a feeling that Know Your Enemy killed this album. It was all over the place back in April and May, and just about everyone I know hated it. I know a lot of people who love Green Day, but they just loathed Know Your Enemy. And even though I'm a huge fan of them, I have to admit that the song did get old pretty fast. So I'm thinking that most people heard the new song, got tired of it and presumed the same would happen if they bought the entire album. And ever since then I've yet to hear 21 Guns, East Jesus Nowhere or any other single from the album on the radio.

I hate to say it but I don't think this will be picking up any more momentum. Just be happy that it's not a bust and is doing good for the band.

I may agee with this. The radios didn't like KYE and IMAO the song doesn't represent the album as a whole very well hence it wasn't exactly a good pick for a first single. 21CB or EJN would have done better as an introduction to the album.

[The Disappearing Boy]

the whole promotion for this album has been absolutely terrible.