 |
"21st Century Breakdown" is not exactly a breakthrough album. It's more of the same Green Day that we know so well. Not better, not worse. Just au point. It follows the same recipe that made "American Idiot" an instant classic that sold more than 6 million copies according to RIAA, making it the second most successful record of the band's career, surpassed only by their fantastic debut, "Dookie" (which is over 10 million copies in the US). According to Billboard this week, the band is headed to top the charts in their week of release as more than 650,000 units were shipped to retail stores this week, probably anticipating a great demand from fans. In this tough times for the music industry, taking the #1 spot is a remarkable feat, and talking about Green Day, it's more than deserved. The band still carries a great influence from the icons of punk rock, the Sex Pistols (and maybe a little Clash) in their sonority. In "21st Century Breakdown" none of the multi-music tracks ("21st Century Breakdown" and "American Eulogy") exceeds 6 minutes in length, in contrast to "American Idiot" tracks "Jesus of Suburbia" and "Homecoming", both 9+ minutes. Except for a few ballads ("Last Night On Earth" and "21 Guns"), songs that begin as ballads and then turn around to the other direction ("¡Viva La Gloria!" and "Before the Lobotomy") and a mere introduction ("Song of the Century" also heard in the introduction of "American Eulogy"), this album is a punch in the ear after another, sang and played with all the possible rage that can exist. The band is adult, but it behaves like a rebelled teenager. Just the way we like it. A breeze in the middle of so many "Boom Boom Pows", "Poker Faces" and other similar junks that kill us day after day. Welcome back, Billie Joe, Mike and Tré - we really missed you.Read full review
Ever since the Dookie album came out I have been an avid fan of Green Day's work. This recent release has been no exception. My favorite songs on this album are 21st Century Breakdown, Know Your Enemy, and 21 Guns. This album is a sequel to American Idiot - yet another of my favorites. I made a point of purchasing this album after I learned that "Wallyworld" deemed the content inappropriate and refused to carry it since they would not censor it. I had to have this CD in my hands and not just download it off of Itunes. I love that Green Day refuses to edit the content of their albums and we get to hear this the way that the artist intended for us to hear it - uncensored! Everything about this album screams for our attention. Love, religion, homelessness and politics are all described in ballads and heavy guitar. Once again Green Day has brought to our attention the dysfunctions of our American Society. The album is broken down into 3 acts with "Song of the Century" preceedinng Act I. Act I: Heroes and Cons 2)21st Century Breakdown 3)Know Your Enemy 4)Viva La Gloria! 5)Before the Lobotomy 6)Christian's Inferno 7)Last Night On Earth Act II: Charlatans and Saints 8)East Jesus Nowhere 9)Peacemaker 10)Last Of The American Girls 11)Murder City 12)Viva La Gloria? (Little Girl) 13)Restless Heart Syndrome Act III: Horseshoes and Handgrenades 14)Horseshoes and Handgrenades 15)The Static Age 16)21 Guns 17)American Eulogy A. Mass Hysteria B. Modern World 18)See the Light The art on the front cover of the album booklet displays the bands name and album title, the picture is of a man and a woman locked in a romantic embrace. The art on the inside is minimal with lyrics for every song printed in a hand-written style. The background behind the lyrics is a brick wall either white washed or black washed. There are 3 depictions of the band members; first there is Billie Joe Armstrong followed by Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt. All of the images on the inside of the album art is in black and white. The final image inside is of a man and a woman warming their hands over a trashcan fire. The back of the album features the band members sitting against a colorful graffiti wall themselves depicted in black and white again. Billie Joe is leaning on Tre's shoulder with his eyes closed while Tre looks off into the distance. Mike looks toward the viewer. Scrawled on the wall behind them in white paint is "The Class of '13." The art underneath the CD itself depicts half a black brick wall for credits and the other half is an artful background with the side profile of a woman's face with black paint dripping down, there are black puzzle pieces coming off the top of her head and drifting towards the background. The CD itself has a black background with the song titles on it broken down into the Acts. The art on the CD is a woman with a red and white handkerchief over her nose and mouth hanging down to a point. The art on the back of the CD (not in the booklet) displays the same image as on the cover, except this view is pulled out and the embraced couple is standing on top of a classic car with the city behind them burning unchecked. Thank you Green Day for not censoring yourselves!Read full review
I will always love Greenday and though I am more of a fan of their older music I still find a lot of favorites even among their new albums.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I had to buy another. I discovered the one I had was damaged. This CD has a great collection of music on it! If you like Green Day its a have!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Very good listening. This is one of Green Day's best albums. Came in perfect condition.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
