Green Day 21st Century Breakdown Review
Green
Day has released 21st Century Breakdown, a rock opera about lovers
trying to cope in a post George Bush world. Yes, this marks the second
themed album for Green Day wrapped around George Bush.
The album has three "acts" Heroes and Cons, Charlatans and Saints, and Horseshoes and Handgrenades. These three acts play out across 18 tracks and that is about 10 tracks too long. Some of the tracks drone on and if the filler was removed this would be a great album, instead it is just better than American Idiot.
I hated American Idiot. I disliked it's pomposity and pretentiousness of the whole album. A nine minute punk song about St. Jimmy or Jesus of Suburbia? Fuck you Green Day! But the pomp and pretentious attitude have been striped away from 21st Century. What is left is power pop punk at it's best.
The story follows two lovers who were jilted by religion, parents, and the state. They are now alone and must find their own way through life with only each other for help and support. The songs follow them along as they try to make sense of the post George Bush America.
I am a sucker for a good story as told through music. Maybe it's because I'm part gay or an English major. Whatever it is it, I enjoyed following the songs lyrics and story from introduction to redemption. But as a music fan, I can see how some of these songs are going to be forgotten by casual listeners. Songs like Last Night on Earth, a slow ballad, stand juxtaposed to fist pumping anthems like Know Your Enemy and Christians Inferno.
Some of the songs make you want to roll up your sleeves, roll down the windows of your car that was made by a now bankrupt American automaker, and barrel down the post George Bush highway to nowhere in particular. Other songs are probably going to put you to sleep.
Green Day move between eastern European influence (Peacemakers) to 70's arena rock power songs like East Jesus Nowhere flawlessly. Most of this is due to the rhythm section of Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt. Gone are the days of the three piece Green Day, in are the days of touring/hired musicians playing keyboards and extra guitars. Some might think this isn't truly Green Day, but who cares? They evolved into a socially conscious band who is trying to open the eyes of a new generation.
This brings me to a point I was discussing with a staff member. Will the casual fan who bought this record for Know Your Enemy get the theme of this record? I doubt it. A lot of teenagers today aren't familiar with the idea of a concept record where songs are tied together to a single theme. They didn't grow up with Pink Floyd, The Who, or Yes. So what I think you will see if people picking and choosing the best songs off the album.
I think you will miss an important message, but if you were going to cherry pick songs, take act Heroes and Cons and 21 Guns. You will miss out on Peacemakers and East Jesus Nowhere, but you will get a good cross section. I am a fan of story and rock operas so I recommend buying the whole album.
When the slow songs come on your iPod or stereo try to emerse yourself in the storyline of Christan and Gloria. If that doesn't help you appreciate the slower songs, then just push the skip button to Know Your Enemy.
The album has three "acts" Heroes and Cons, Charlatans and Saints, and Horseshoes and Handgrenades. These three acts play out across 18 tracks and that is about 10 tracks too long. Some of the tracks drone on and if the filler was removed this would be a great album, instead it is just better than American Idiot.
I hated American Idiot. I disliked it's pomposity and pretentiousness of the whole album. A nine minute punk song about St. Jimmy or Jesus of Suburbia? Fuck you Green Day! But the pomp and pretentious attitude have been striped away from 21st Century. What is left is power pop punk at it's best.
The story follows two lovers who were jilted by religion, parents, and the state. They are now alone and must find their own way through life with only each other for help and support. The songs follow them along as they try to make sense of the post George Bush America.
I am a sucker for a good story as told through music. Maybe it's because I'm part gay or an English major. Whatever it is it, I enjoyed following the songs lyrics and story from introduction to redemption. But as a music fan, I can see how some of these songs are going to be forgotten by casual listeners. Songs like Last Night on Earth, a slow ballad, stand juxtaposed to fist pumping anthems like Know Your Enemy and Christians Inferno.
Some of the songs make you want to roll up your sleeves, roll down the windows of your car that was made by a now bankrupt American automaker, and barrel down the post George Bush highway to nowhere in particular. Other songs are probably going to put you to sleep.
Green Day move between eastern European influence (Peacemakers) to 70's arena rock power songs like East Jesus Nowhere flawlessly. Most of this is due to the rhythm section of Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt. Gone are the days of the three piece Green Day, in are the days of touring/hired musicians playing keyboards and extra guitars. Some might think this isn't truly Green Day, but who cares? They evolved into a socially conscious band who is trying to open the eyes of a new generation.
This brings me to a point I was discussing with a staff member. Will the casual fan who bought this record for Know Your Enemy get the theme of this record? I doubt it. A lot of teenagers today aren't familiar with the idea of a concept record where songs are tied together to a single theme. They didn't grow up with Pink Floyd, The Who, or Yes. So what I think you will see if people picking and choosing the best songs off the album.
I think you will miss an important message, but if you were going to cherry pick songs, take act Heroes and Cons and 21 Guns. You will miss out on Peacemakers and East Jesus Nowhere, but you will get a good cross section. I am a fan of story and rock operas so I recommend buying the whole album.
When the slow songs come on your iPod or stereo try to emerse yourself in the storyline of Christan and Gloria. If that doesn't help you appreciate the slower songs, then just push the skip button to Know Your Enemy.
Comments