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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Over three years in the making, 21st Century Breakdown is the answer to the question Green Day are stuck with--exactly how do you follow up a twelve million selling rock opera? With more of the same, of course, just like the Who used to do. To be honest, the narrative line is largely incoherent, following the story of starstruck young lovers Christian and Gloria (as in G-L-O-R-I-A) as they confront The Man in a predictably dystopian world. But though plenty of bands have recently resuscitated this long discredited form--The Mars Volta and the excellent, not dissimilar Thermals, to name but two--none can pack in so many decent tunes as Billie Jo Armstrong, Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt. Even as they approach middle age, they still sound trapped by their youth, whether it’s Armsrong describing himself (or maybe his character) as a child of the Nixon era or simply reviving the power-pop sound of Cheap Trick. Yet if the plot is murky, songs like single "Know Your Enemy", as reductive as AC/DC and as gleefully catchy as the latest Disney teen rock sensation, the shameless and resigned power ballad "21 Guns", "Before the Lobotomy", one part punk rock, one part melodramatic ballad, and the classic rock of the title track sound like radio staples on the very first hearing. Older listeners may be reminded of Husker Du’s equally impenetrable and ambitious song cycle Warehouse. But that was the work of a band actively seeking fans. 21st Century Breakdown is a wildly unfocussed collection seemingly set on confusing them. But it certainly features some great tunes.--Steve Jelbert
Review
Three years in the making and 71 (yes, 71) minutes in length, pop-punk provocateurs, Green Day return with another concept album to rival their last, American Idiot. The intervening years have seen several pop bands absconding with their USP and making lightweight mincemeat of it, making it harder for us to take them seriously. This is a shame, as Green Day really know their pop smarts and are as ruthlessly efficient as a Swiss watch with dayglo hands. You may not get any deep insights, but you are getting some great tunes.
Like the Ramones with A-levels the band split the album into three 'acts' (Heroes And Cons; Charlatans And Saints; Horseshoes And Handgrenades): It's loosely based around a young couple, Gloria and Christian, and their travails in this contrary age. Musically it's business as usual, taking the punk template and strectching it into stadium grandiosity. While the title track expands its brief to three time signatures, Viva la Gloria enters the room borne on Billy Joel-esque piano chords, or Last Night On Earth is essentially a 70s power ballad with dreamy vocals, the core of 21st century Breakdown is still great pummelling party rock, infused with producer Butch Vig's classic sense of quiet/loud dynamics.
Conceptually it's a little harder to muster enthusiasm. Griping vaguely against 'authority' tends to be the domain of the teenager, and these guys are now approaching 40. Murder City sees its protagonists, ''crying in the bathroom'' and ''bumming cigarettes'', but they're ''desperate but not helpless''. Green Day are best at summing up the ennui of white middle class America. It doesn't have the romantic sheen of, say, Springsteen's evocation of the early 60s, but this is the sound of shopping malls gone to seed; homogenised and railing against 'stuff'. This isn't to say that their hearts aren't in the right place, and the USA needs its social commentators now, more than ever, but they speak far more eloquently with their guitars than their lyrics.
Too many buzz words obscure incisive meaning, and it's only by the third act that any sense of true ire creeps in: ie: war (huh) what is it good for? etc. But it's probably more to do with the fact that Billie Joe Armstrong finally gets all sweary (''I'm not f*****g around!'' he bleats on Horseshoes And Handgrenades). Yet at its climax the most profound thing they can say is, ''I don't want to live in the modern world'' or ''I don't give a s*** about the modern age''. Join the club, chaps.
Ultimately 21st century Breakdown is a startlingly hummable album that breathes life into a musical form that should, by rights, have died out 30 years ago. Such creativity is to be lauded, but this isn't a record that will change the world one iota; except by making kids dance. And sometimes there's no greater achievement in life. --Chris Jones
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Was really worried about this album...
Green Day took a big risk with American Idiot and ended up pulling off something brilliant. My concern with 21st Century Breakdown was that it would just be trying to repeat the same thing, and not live up to that standard. But although it definately follows in the same vein it stands up on it's own, and if anything is one step better than it's predecessor.
The songs range from melodic epics (Last Night On Eath) to 2 minute rage filled snarls (Christian's Inferno). There's even a bit of gypsy punk (Peacmaker) thrown in for good measure. But whats great is that all the songs are strong. This is not an album written around 3 singles...in fact, apart from "21 Guns" (which is so radio friendly they'd be mad not to release it) I would struggle to pick out the singles. And despite the difference in styles, somehow it all fits together as a piece of music.
The concept this time round is a little looser, with less of a narrative story than American Idiot. It's more a collection of songs about different emotions the two characters, Christian and Gloria feel over the course of the century so far. Whilst the two are ever present in the 3 acts, they don't feature so heavily that they start to get on your nerves (something else I was worried might happen).
As a last note I'd just like to say that "East Jesus Nowhere" is bloody brilliant.
And to those people saying they've sold out...if they were still releasing Dookie/Insomniac clones 13 years after making them you'd be moaning about that instead so just shut up.
Green Day took a big risk with American Idiot and ended up pulling off something brilliant. My concern with 21st Century Breakdown was that it would just be trying to repeat the same thing, and not live up to that standard. But although it definately follows in the same vein it stands up on it's own, and if anything is one step better than it's predecessor.
The songs range from melodic epics (Last Night On Eath) to 2 minute rage filled snarls (Christian's Inferno). There's even a bit of gypsy punk (Peacmaker) thrown in for good measure. But whats great is that all the songs are strong. This is not an album written around 3 singles...in fact, apart from "21 Guns" (which is so radio friendly they'd be mad not to release it) I would struggle to pick out the singles. And despite the difference in styles, somehow it all fits together as a piece of music.
The concept this time round is a little looser, with less of a narrative story than American Idiot. It's more a collection of songs about different emotions the two characters, Christian and Gloria feel over the course of the century so far. Whilst the two are ever present in the 3 acts, they don't feature so heavily that they start to get on your nerves (something else I was worried might happen).
As a last note I'd just like to say that "East Jesus Nowhere" is bloody brilliant.
And to those people saying they've sold out...if they were still releasing Dookie/Insomniac clones 13 years after making them you'd be moaning about that instead so just shut up.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
4 and a half years after American Idiot first came out, Green Day have finally released a new album. Having been a big fan since American Idiot introduced me to the band, and having subsequently gone on to purchase all their past albums I was not knowing what to really expect from this latest album. American Idiot was a hard act to follow, but I can say, at least in my opinion that the band have produced a more than worthy follow up to that amazing album.
This is another rock opera, split into 3 parts and follows the story of a young couple trying to make sense of the century so far, hence the title. The political and social commentary present on American Idiot is still here, with focus on post-Bush America, modern America and the world as a whole today. The 2 lovers represent different, personalities, ideals and viewpoints, and this comes across quite well after a few listens to the songs and a look at the lyrics.
The songs on this album are quite varied and on first listen through you're not quite sure what to expect next. I would say that it may take a few listen throughs to fully appreciate it, but it's certainly a great album that I would recommend to any Green Day fan and anyone who fancies something a bit different. Have a listen to a few of the album's songs and I'm sure you'll want to give it a chance. Green Day have gradually matured throughout their careers and they have again taken a chance and done something different, and I think it's paid off.
Overall this album was worth the wait for me. There has clearly been a lot of effort put into the production of it and it shows. 21st Century Breakdown is a fantastic album and more than a worthy follow up to American Idiot.
This is another rock opera, split into 3 parts and follows the story of a young couple trying to make sense of the century so far, hence the title. The political and social commentary present on American Idiot is still here, with focus on post-Bush America, modern America and the world as a whole today. The 2 lovers represent different, personalities, ideals and viewpoints, and this comes across quite well after a few listens to the songs and a look at the lyrics.
The songs on this album are quite varied and on first listen through you're not quite sure what to expect next. I would say that it may take a few listen throughs to fully appreciate it, but it's certainly a great album that I would recommend to any Green Day fan and anyone who fancies something a bit different. Have a listen to a few of the album's songs and I'm sure you'll want to give it a chance. Green Day have gradually matured throughout their careers and they have again taken a chance and done something different, and I think it's paid off.
Overall this album was worth the wait for me. There has clearly been a lot of effort put into the production of it and it shows. 21st Century Breakdown is a fantastic album and more than a worthy follow up to American Idiot.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Why do people need to tag music, is either brilliant, rubbish or indifferent depending on your musical tastes. Always liked Green Day, perhaps the only US band I have ever been into, and I remember punk/new wave in 77!
another superb album, even my kids of 9 and 6 love it!
another superb album, even my kids of 9 and 6 love it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
21st Century Breakdown!!!
I had never heard of Green Day before but heard a few songs that I liked a lot... eg. American Idiot, 21 Guns, 21st Century breakdown. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Tomz
great
What a band. Great value for money. My other copy had long been played done. Great value for money. The good days
Published 5 months ago by jimmyjoe
Static
As a fan of the Kerplunk/Dookie/Insomniac era of Green Day, whilst also appreciating Nimrod and Warning for a handful of great tracks, I never really settled into American Idiot. Read more
Published 7 months ago by ratmonkey
peacemaker!!!
Peacemaker is awesome because Billy Joe is a epic singer. The music is inspiring because it is catchy and fast . The video shows that the song is even better live . Read more
Published 8 months ago by Harry
Their worst album yet...:(
I am a massive Green Day fan, and was really looking forward to the release of their new album. After American Idiot, I was hoping for something different because, although a... Read more
Published 8 months ago by BookWorm
The bar from American Idiot is too high to be passed
How do you top the greatest album of the naughties and the century so far, you can't is the obvious answer. Read more
Published 13 months ago by ekb
Big Sound
Sadly Green Day have lost much of their energy and spirit since the days of Insomniac. There is a lot of killer sound on this album but as a whole I felt uninspired. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Harvey G.
Blows American Idiot away
I know American Idiot is considered an epic by the majority of people, and I'm not going to argue with that. Read more
Published 17 months ago by furiouszed
another outstanding album
My son and I both love this album ( he being 14 and me at 35), and we are both huge fans. I've loved them since 1994, and yet again they have produced another masterpiece in my... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Lainey
Still got it
Didn't think they could top american idiot but i'm actually preferring this now. Brilliant they have still got it, highly recommended!
Published 19 months ago by orlando_1000
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