21st Century Breakdown vs The Trilogy

[Scottman]

For me, 21st Century Breakdown is better.

I think the trilogy has some fun moments, but overall feels much lazier and suffers lyrically. Many of the songs feel half-realized and like they were only included to fill a 3-album quota.

21st Century Breakdown feels more ambitious, focused, epic, and more lyrically creative to me.

I feel like the trilogy unfortunately suffers from a case of "Quantity over quality,' in which a handful of the songs could have been narrowed down, given some more love, and turned into a solid Green Day throwback album. I think the only justification for releasing 3 separate albums is if all three of them could pass as stand-alone albums released under the Green Day name, and I don't think they do. I'm willing to bet that if Dos was the only album Green Day had recorded and released - meaning if Uno and Tré never existed - that the sheer volume of disappointment coming from the Green Day fan community would be staggering.

In short, it seems to me like Green Day just put more effort into 21st Century Breakdown, whereas much of the Trilogy feels phoned in by comparison.

[JOE THE X-KID]

I never asked, what was your choice eventually and why?

I still haven't decided haha, I'd probably have to say tre is my favourite overall although I love uno too. Dos is also very good but I think prefer 21st century breakdown to it

[Clockwise]

I prefer the trilogy over 21st quite a bit, actually. It's one of my favorite things the band has ever done, and I still listen to it daily. When 21st came out, I didn't listen to it regularly for nearly as long.

That's not to say that I don't love 21st, because I do.

[musso_kn]

I feel like the trilogy unfortunately suffers from a case of "Quantity over quality,' in which a handful of the songs could have been narrowed down, given some more love, and turned into a solid Green Day throwback album. I think the only justification for releasing 3 separate albums is if all three of them could pass as stand-alone albums released under the Green Day name, and I don't think they do. I'm willing to bet that if Dos was the only album Green Day had recorded and released - meaning if Uno and never existed - that the sheer volume of disappointment coming from the Green Day fan community would be staggering.

This. I personally feel the novelty of releasing a triple album almost makes it more enjoyable.

[SEAtacticsFTW]

I had to choose 21st Century Breakdown. The trilogy is AWESOME and I love it and most of the songs, but it (for me) cant compare to 21st's superb story and direction. The production of that record is on a scale that is way above most records ever. Every time I listen to 21st I listen to the whole thing all the way through. Songs that have such good killer melodys like The Static Age, American Eulogy and Peacemaker are just so good I cant even think about it for too long. This may sound lame but for me its true.

The trilogy has good songs but they just can't compare to 21st. I love that album so much I also listen to the B-sides.

[Hermione]

The Trilogy is my favourite thing Green Day's ever put out (Dos>Uno>Tre), and 21st CB (tied with Nimrod - I'm bad at deciding ) is my second favourite thing they've ever put out! For me both are wonderful because of their variety and ambition, just very different kinds of variety and ambition. You've got 21st CB which took the "epic" concept album idea of American Idiot even further. The most ambitious and complex music they've ever made with all kinds of epic and beautiful sounds, and Billie pushing his singing to new heights using falsetto for the first time and his voice sounding richer than ever. And even though the lyrics make use of characters they're deep and dark and personal, I think it's their darkest album.

And then you have the Trilogy, ambitious in a totally different way, three different albums to pick and mix from or to enjoy as a whole telling a little power pop before the party, garage rock at the party, and the reflective aftermath of the party story. I just LOVE the dirty retro rock and roll sound, of all the sounds Green Day's dabbled in it's my favourite. And I really like how you can hear all the instruments and vocals so clearly too. There's funny lyrics, badass lyrics, sexy lyrics, and also plenty of dark, personal, reflective lyrics all mixed together. Along with the sound it's that mix of fun and meaningful lyrics that make it perfect for me.

I must also give a massive shout out to Stop Drop And Roll! It may not have as many layers of meaning as some of their other albums but there's still plenty of meaning in those lyrics as well as it being a completely fabulous spontaneous 60s party album. Suicidal thoughts in 27th Ave Shuffle, a dark love song like Dark Side Of Night....listen to the lyrics and it's far more than just a party. I consider it to be some of their best work, it's up there with my favourite Green Day albums.

[WhiteTim]

The Trilogy is my favourite thing Green Day's ever put out (Dos>Uno>Tre), and 21st CB (tied with Nimrod - I'm bad at deciding ) is my second favourite thing they've ever put out! For me both are wonderful because of their variety and ambition, just very different kinds of variety and ambition. You've got 21st CB which took the "epic" concept album idea of American Idiot even further. The most ambitious and complex music they've ever made with all kinds of epic and beautiful sounds, and Billie pushing his singing to new heights using falsetto for the first time and his voice sounding richer than ever. And even though the lyrics make use of characters they're deep and dark and personal, I think it's their darkest album.

And then you have the Trilogy, ambitious in a totally different way, three different albums to pick and mix from or to enjoy as a whole telling a little power pop before the party, garage rock at the party, and the reflective aftermath of the party story. I just LOVE the dirty retro rock and roll sound, of all the sounds Green Day's dabbled in it's my favourite. And I really like how you can hear all the instruments and vocals so clearly too. There's funny lyrics, badass lyrics, sexy lyrics, and also plenty of dark, personal, reflective lyrics all mixed together. Along with the sound it's that mix of fun and meaningful lyrics that make it perfect for me.

I must also give a massive shout out to Stop Drop And Roll! It may not have as many layers of meaning as some of their other albums but there's still plenty of meaning in those lyrics as well as it being a completely fabulous spontaneous 60s party album. Suicidal thoughts in 27th Ave Shuffle, a dark love song like Dark Side Of Night....listen to the lyrics and it's far more than just a party. I consider it to be some of their best work, it's up there with my favourite Green Day albums.

Ok marry me... lol

[Hermione]

Ok marry me... lol

Our first dance shall be Last Night On Earth

[hamza_elyoubi]

come on guys don't be so philosophique , all Green day's albums are awesome , we can't talk just about 21st or compare with the trilogy

[St. Christian Of Suburbia]

Gah, I can't just pick one. I love 21st Century Breakdown, and of the trilogy albums my favorite is definitely ¡Dos!, but those two are so immensely different that I really don't know how to put one above the other. I mean, I think it entirely depends on what I'm looking for at a given time. 21st Century Breakdown is an epic three-part rock opera with a wide variety of songs, but ¡Dos! has several very fun, energetic, "let's go wild" songs that I love--one of my favorite tracks is F**k Time, and I think we can all agree that it's no masterpiece, it's just fun to listen to. I don't think I can rank one above the other, it's basically a case-by-case basis ("Right now am I in the mood for East Jesus Nowhere or Lady Cobra?").

[beejeezee]

I personally chose equally, because OP didn't fucking include Stop Drop and Roll!

[musso_kn]

I personally chose equally, because OP didn't fucking include Stop Drop and Roll!

Sorrynotsorry.

come on guys don't be so philosophique , all Green day's albums are awesome , we can't talk just about 21st or compare with the trilogy

True, but we all have our favourites and not-so-favourites. And I like being 'philosophical' about shit, Green Day related or not; it makes me feel vaguely intelligent for once.

[DookieLukie]

I personally chose equally, because OP didn't fucking include Stop Drop and Roll!

Like I said...best thing since AI.

[Jude O'Reilly]

I strongly agree with this. Many people do feel that the record is just a rehash of American Idiot, but I on the other hand feel they went one step beyond that: they pulled out the political/social ideas further and created a spectacular variation of sounds. AI, despite what many say, stuck quite firmly to their roots in many ways, differing only in the sense there was a narrative and an emphasis on production in most songs, with the exception of Jesus of Suburbia and Homecoming.

Although I agree the trilogy is overproduced, there is still a quite raw feeling to many songs: Stop When The Red Lights Flash is a good example of a song that does have quite a 'rough', aggressive edge to it. Plus, lyrically, you can't deny that something like X-Kid hits home in a way that the political rallying of 21st Century Breakdown never did.

oh I agree with that I'm not that much a fan of 21st CB either as an album. lol I more or less like 5 or 6 songs from it.

[Neurotics]

Now, i feel there's too many drugs and pills on Green Day songs. I really really need to refrain myself.

[That Dude]

I think im the only one who hates The Network hate em with a passion hate em more than my son's mother lol well maybe not that bad but hate em

Green Day hates them.

[musso_kn]

Green Day hates them.

Bille Joe on The Network: "I just wanted to talk about the rumors and the bullshit that has been going on lately. All I gotta say is fuck The Network. These guys are totally spreading rumors. I try to do those guys a favour by bringing them to this country and putting out their record and this is how I get repaid, by talking shit about my band. Unfortunately there is a contract and I have to put out their record. The only thing I can say is Fuck you, Network. Bring it on."

Bring what on, Billie? How long did you spend planning this 'angry' statement?

[That Dude]

Bille Joe on The Network: "I just wanted to talk about the rumors and the bullshit that has been going on lately. All I gotta say is fuck The Network. These guys are totally spreading rumors. I try to do those guys a favour by bringing them to this country and putting out their record and this is how I get repaid, by talking shit about my band. Unfortunately there is a contract and I have to put out their record. The only thing I can say is Fuck you, Network. Bring it on."

Bring what on, Billie? How long did you spend planning this 'angry' statement?

In trying to get back to the subject, while also going further away from it -

Money Money 2020 VS the trilogy. Well, they are very different animals. But I miss those guys. What if they did a song WITH Green Day, and the FBHTs as well. Heck, throw in the rodeo queens too. Supergroup. Oh, and Pinhead Gunpowder. and Screeching Weezel. and the Big Cats. and U2. Sorry.

[musso_kn]

In trying to get back to the subject, while also going further away from it -

Money Money 2020 VS the trilogy. Well, they are very different animals. But I miss those guys. What if they did a song WITH Green Day, and the FBHTs as well. Heck, throw in the rodeo queens too. Supergroup. Oh, and Pinhead Gunpowder. and Screeching Weezel. and the Big Cats. and U2. Sorry.

Ooh, that sounds ambitious. But let's not forget The Frustrators!

[musso_kn]

Now, i feel there's too many drugs and pills on Green Day songs. I really really need to refrain myself.

I just noticed this. I don't quite follow what you mean...the drug references have been there since the band's conception.

[Tubbie Head]

WOW! So overall, 93 people have voted for the Trilogy!

You really cannot call those albums a failure now! There's plenty of fans who loved it, not even counting those who loved both albums... I wasn't expecting it because I've heard way too many complaints about it, but seriously, this proves just how much of a success it made among fans. I'm so glad it happened!

[musso_kn]

WOW! So overall, 93 people have voted for the Trilogy!

You really cannot call those albums a failure now! There's plenty of fans who loved it, not even counting those who loved both albums... I wasn't expecting it because I've heard way too many complaints about it, but seriously, this proves just how much of a success it made among fans. I'm so glad it happened!

And I'm pretty sure some people will come along and add to the numbers!

I'm glad most people aren't hanging onto American Idiot as 'the last great Green Day record'. Although I have found the trilogy difficult to get into, it is slowly growing on me and I'm glad there are so many people who thoroughly enjoy it as well as 21st Century Breakdown. So, yeah, this makes me so happy!

[Gregorovich]

21st Century breakdown is one of my favourite albums of all time. It tops Dookie and American Idiot. Musically and thematically, the trilogy has absolutely nothing on 21CB. It's like Comparing Quadrophenia to The Who By Numbers, except that the former wasn't completely panned by critics and many fans.

[musso_kn]

21st Century breakdown is one of my favourite albums of all time. It tops Dookie and American Idiot. Musically and thematically, the trilogy has absolutely nothing on 21CB. It's like Comparing Quadrophenia to The Who By Numbers, except that the former wasn't completely panned by critics and many fans.

Except that 21st Century Breakdown was by no means completely panned by critics and fans. There were definitely journalists and listeners who didn't like it, but I remember a great deal of extremely positive reviews from the most established of the music press and, although it may not mean much to you, it did win a Grammy.

[Gregorovich]

Except that 21st Century Breakdown was by no means completely panned by critics and fans. There were definitely journalists and listeners who didn't like it, but I remember a great deal of extremely positive reviews from the most established of the music press and, although it may not mean much to you, it did win a Grammy.

I believe you've misinterpreted my post. I'm comparing 21st Century Breakdown to Quadrophenia and the Trilogy to The Who's subsequent albums - the only difference being that those subsequent albums were received relatively well, which is more than can be said for the trilogy.