Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown (Punk Rock)

21st Century Breakdown

Green Day 21st Century Breakdown Music Review
By the RipperEagle
Album Rating: 4.5

Well, after five years of waiting, “21st Century Breakdown” has been released to the masses, on a Friday none the less (May 15th). For what stands as the band’s tenth studio album, the guys of Green Day wanted to build off of their 2004 release, “American Idiot” and continue to harp on the decline in American ideals, mainly due to war and politics. It is, as the cover of the CD said, “The most anticipated album of 2009”, but does the hype deliver? It’s broken into three acts: Heroes and Cons, Charlatans and Saints, and Horseshoes and Hand grenades.

1. Song of the Century (N/A)
-Radio static and Billy Joe Armstrong talking.

Act 1: Heroes and Cons
2. 21st Century Breakdown (5)
-Sounds like an extended version of “American Idiot” with a slow lead-in.
3. Know Your Enemy (4)
-Lead single off this CD: much stronger then both singles from their 04 release.
4. Viva La Gloria (5)
-One minute piano lead in, rest of the song sounds like it came off “Nimrod”.
5. Before the Lobotomy (4)
-Another slow start to the song, kicks it up for the final three minutes.
6. Christian’s Inferno (5)
-Great song, with far away drum lead in, and Armstrong sounding further away.
7. Last Night on Earth (4)
-Very odd, mid tempo song heavily leaning on piano and bass.

Act II: Charlatans and Saints
8. East Jesus Nowhere (4)
-Starts off with radio ditty, pretty intriguing lyrics to go with it.
9. Peacemaker (4)
-Reminds me of “The Jester” by Sum 41, except more mid tempo.
10. Last of the American Girls (4)
-Close to their closing song “Whatshername” from American Idiot.
11. Murder City (5)
-Only actual “song” under three minutes: sounds like a lost “Nimrod” cut.
12. Viva La Gloria? (Little Girl) (5)
-Second part to “Gloria” starts slow but picks up considerably.
13. Restless Heart Syndrome (4)
-Much like “Last Night on Earth”, it never passes Mid tempo, but it grooves.

Act III: Horseshoes and Hand Grenades
14. Horseshoes and Hand Grenades (5)
-“I’m not Fucking Around” proclaims Armstrong from the start, song don’t either.
15. The Static Age (4)
-Another solid song about a future age of static, hence the title.
16. 21 Guns (5)
-Amazing song, only second song to top five minute mark: war protest song.
17. American Eulogy: A) Mass Hysteria B) Modern World (5)
-20 second Armstrong speaking intro leads into fast paced song
18. See the Light (4)
-Solid ending track, although others might have been better here.

Thoughts and opinions are always welcome!

I love Green Day however I miss the random idiocy they r 2 preachy now

I do too. The music is still pretty decent though, evolving sound. The lyrics, yeah, they are political now. In addition, they keep repeating shit over and over like Armstrong was trying to get it done in a hurry or some shit. I mean, it's been like five years they've had between albums.

they just aren't the same anymore

No, of course they aren't the same anymore, hardly anyone is.

But either you like or you don't. Either you accept it or you reject it. I kinda like THIS stuff but loved the mid 90's stuff, Dookie, Insomniac, and Nimrod well better.

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