Music
Green Day: '21st Century Breakdown'
Released on Friday, May 15 2009
Published Thursday, May 14 2009, 17:25 BST | By Alex Fletcher | 10 comments

Twelve million album sales later, Green Day face a singular problem: how on earth do they follow this unexpected rock colossus? They briefly vented their passion for old-fashioned garage rock as their alter egos the Foxboro Hot Tubs, but this return to youthful frolics was a red herring. Five years on, 21st Century Breakdown is even more ambitious than Idiot. Obama may have replaced Bush in the White House, but the pop-punkers remain just as pissed off as before. Split into three parts ('Heroes and Cons', 'Charlatans and Saints' and 'Horseshoes and Handgrenades'), Breakdown is a power-pop opera that follows the story of young couple Christian and Gloria as they cope with the fall-out of post-Bush America.
Bruce Springsteen's tales of middle America, The Who's concept albums and Queen's '80s bombast are the three most obvious reference points here. The band's cartoon-punk spirit and "a-woah, a-woah" chants lacks the subtlety of their heroes, but their ambition is so great that it doesn't really matter. The band's apathy and discontent can at times feel a little directionless as they rally against a nondescript "authority", but when the biggest and supposedly most political bands in the world (Coldplay, U2) are churning out wishy-washy anthems, it's refreshing to hear a band that aren't afraid of sticking their necks above the water and having a good rant. Can you imagine Chris Martin singing about "genocide" and "faith fanatics" as Armstrong does on 'East Jesus Nowhere'? Punk purists will doubtless deride the album's polished sound, but very few bands - if any - have galvanised so many listeners with politicised rock in recent years.
However, it's the band's way with a tune rather than their politics that truly shines on Breakdown. The steroid-pumped call-to-arms of 'Know Your Enemy', uncompromising fury of 'Horseshoes and Handgrenades' and ludicrous switch from overblown ballad to three-chord stomp of 'Before The Lobotomy' are instant standouts. But it's the rich diversity of Breakdown, an album that veers from West End piano ballads ('Last Night On Earth') to grotty guitar romps ('The Static Age'), which ensures you'll still be playing it in a year's time and discovering fresh delights with each spin. It still seems a little unlikely, but this record cements Green Day's position as one of the world's premier rock acts.

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Elliott(again), on June 15th, 2009
fabulous album, Jason if this is crap music i never want to hear good music ever again
fabulous album, Jason if this is crap music i never want to hear good music ever again
jason, on June 14th, 2009
this kind of music sucks,this isnt talented its just people screaming over stupid music,rock/metal and all that music sucks,,start listening to epople who accually can sing and have talent,remeber this saying 'for those who cant sing,join a rock or metal band'
this kind of music sucks,this isnt talented its just people screaming over stupid music,rock/metal and all that music sucks,,start listening to epople who accually can sing and have talent,remeber this saying 'for those who cant sing,join a rock or metal band'
J, Bristol., on May 21st, 2009
Absolutely fantastic album and 21 Guns is a definite standout. Long Live Greenday!
Absolutely fantastic album and 21 Guns is a definite standout. Long Live Greenday!
Daniel (Kent), on May 19th, 2009
How Does this album get 5 stars? It's not that good, Someone mentioned it being for children...spot on.
How Does this album get 5 stars? It's not that good, Someone mentioned it being for children...spot on.
Elliott from Runcorn, on May 18th, 2009
absoultley fabulous album!
absoultley fabulous album!
Becci, London, on May 17th, 2009
I waited until it was up on Spotify and listened to it then, meant i was up until 4am, but it was well worth it! Massive Green Day fan and i'm glad their back!!
I waited until it was up on Spotify and listened to it then, meant i was up until 4am, but it was well worth it! Massive Green Day fan and i'm glad their back!!
Patch, Madripoor, on May 16th, 2009
This band are for the ignorant & children, they remain so.
This band are for the ignorant & children, they remain so.
Loxx, on May 16th, 2009
21 guns has "got" to be a single, extra 2 trax on itunes release.
21 guns has "got" to be a single, extra 2 trax on itunes release.
X, on May 14th, 2009
I love it. Just can't wait for it's release tommorrow. Green Day rules. 5 stars well deserved. :)
I love it. Just can't wait for it's release tommorrow. Green Day rules. 5 stars well deserved. :)







I got the album. love all the songs, the standouts to me are 21st Century Breakdown, Murder City and 21 Guns.