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Okay, I admit it. I’m one of those fanatics who counted down the days and then rushed out on Friday to grab a copy of 21st Century Breakdown, the eighth studio album from those punk icons, Green Day. After all, it’s been five years since the release of American Idiot, which, in my opinion, was their best work. Now we’ve all been wondering if this new album could even closely measure up to Idiot.
Like American Idiot, 21st Century Breakdown is a rock opera. Act I introduces Christian and Gloria, born in the generation of Nixon, raised in the era of “Heroes and Cons.” Act II, “Charlatans and Saints,” compounds their desperation as they enter the new millennium. Act III, “Horseshoes and Handgrenades,” doesn’t show much hope for the 21st century and the “Class of ‘13.” Though our protagonists are only mentioned briefly in the story, their passion and emotion is captured in each cut. The pessimism is extenuated in lead-vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong’s gritty and biting lyrics. In addition to Armstrong, who’s also on piano and guitar, bassist Mike Dirnt also provides outstanding vocal harmonies, and Tré Cool plays drums and percussion. Jason Freese, who often assists Green Day on piano, is also credited on the album.
The story was a little difficult for me to follow without a lyric sheet, but, fortunately, one is provided. However, the songs transition so well that I could somewhat keep up. But forget about the story for now. Most of the eighteen songs stand on their own—from ballads to classic rock to punk and even a little acoustic Mediterranean folk. You’ll hear bits of The Beatles, a lot of The Who, and especially Queen in the ballads. The intensity of The Clash, The Sex Pistols, and, of course, The Kinks is apparent in my favorite quick tempo tunes. For you early classic Green Day fans, you’ll go for the single “Know Your Enemy.” However, I keep replaying the angry “Christian’s Inferno,” the irreverent “East Jesus Nowhere,” and the equally fast-paced and hostile (and, by the way, my favorite) “Horseshoes and Handgrenades,” with its quick guitars with strong power chords. These middle-aged men play it like rebellious kids, and I love it.
The unrelenting mood and pace makes 21st Century Breakdown Green Day’s best work to date. Maybe Armstrong doesn’t see much hope for our society, but if this album is any indication, I personally see a lot of hope and hold high expectations for our music.
