Green Day

Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown21st Century Breakdown (2009)
Green Day

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: swankswank
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on May 15th 2009As a long-time Green Day fan, the release of their eighth studio album, 21st Century Breakdown marks the first time I've been able to admit something that many others and even the band themselves have surely come to grips with: 21st Century Breakdown is not a punk record. Following the mammoth Ameri.

As a long-time Green Day fan, the release of their eighth studio album, 21st Century Breakdown marks the first time I've been able to admit something that many others and even the band themselves have surely come to grips with: 21st Century Breakdown is not a punk record. Following the mammoth American Idiot, the boys could have done (and considering Foxboro Hot Tubs and their "Simpsons" theme rendition amongst others, did) anything. Thankfully, it's not the self-aggrandizing U2 direction I feared they may have gone in, but It isn't the return to Insomniac-era I've been hoping for either. 21st Century Breakdown isn't a sharp turn in either direction, but rather a logical continuation of Idiot's aspirations. This is easily Green Day's most ambitious record to date in both sound and scope.

Flashes of Green Day of yore are evident in songs like "¡Viva La Gloria!" and my personal favorite "Murder City." Songs like "Peacemaker" and "¡Viva La Gloria!", while not uncharted territory ("Misery," from the band's 2000 album Warning comes to mind in the case of the latter) are some of the band's better genre experiments. Though apparently not a full "rock opera" as its predecessor was, the album is divided into three acts, and features two lead characters, Christian and Gloria (no relation to Idiot's Whatsername and St. Jimmy). The only taste of segmented songs á la "Jesus of Suburbia" is "American Eulogy," the peanut butter-'n-jellying of three songs: First, a clever addendum to album opener "Song of the Century," followed by "Mass Hysteria," then the punky, Mike Dirnt-led "Modern World." Along with "American Eulogy," the album is closed out with "See the Light," which musically starts the same as the album's title track, giving the album a bookended feel.

One major criticism with American Idiot was the band's, let's-just-say "liberal use of influence," with many people citing everyone from Bryan Adams for Dillinger Four as the inspiration to particular songs or moments on the album. 21st Century Breakdown seems to continue this trend with varying results. Slower numbers, "Last Night on Earth" and "Restless Heart Syndrome" both have a heavy Beatles influence. "Horseshoes and Hand Grenades" clearly recalls the Hives, and inevitable single "21 Guns," while catchy and anthemic as most anything on the album, sounds so much like Mott the Hoople's "All the Young Dudes" it makes me want to sit and watch "Juno" every time I hear it.

Butch Vig's production is evident from the get-go -- the guitar crunch is HUGE, as if coming from walls of amps stacked 50 feet high. Snare drum snaps sound crisp and auxiliary piano and string arrangements sound lush and present. It's arguably the most produced and polished Green Day record yet, but may also be the best sounding. In fact, the only area where the production hampers the proceedings is the vocals. One moment Billie Joe sounds as good as he ever has (vocal-only opener "Song of the Century") and the next extraneous vocal effects make him sound tinny, as if recorded from a badly tuned AM radio that someone is sitting on. It's not quite as annoying as the Auto-Tune that has plagued radio, but it certainly seems unnecessary.

So, Green Day have made a through and through mainstream rock record. More chances are taken and it's not without its faults, but at times it's some of the strongest material in their canon. With 21st Century Breakdown, Green Day are out to prove that stadium rock records can be made by punk rock bands, and if that's not a lofty ambition, I don't know what is.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Pimpedoutemail (December 1, 2010)

i realized they were never good when this came out

wiffleball (October 8, 2010)

Its not what i want from a Green Day album but i have to say its a great album in terms of regular music.... although a little generic at times its pretty good. I didnt like it but i could see why others would.

MrKerplunk (October 24, 2009)

The album score for my review below.

MrKerplunk (October 24, 2009)

Great Album! Some great solid punk songs in there and some slower songs. On my opinion, the album can take a while for it to start up (I enjoy the more solid punk songs in the album), Once you hit Act II it starts to get better and then Act III is probably the best part of the album. So if trying out the album dont listen to the first tracks and give up, listen to the whole thing, the album gets immensly better from half way through.

If you want to hear the more punk side of the album then you should definatly check out "East Jesus Nowhere", "Horseshoes and Handgrenades, "The Static Age" and "American Eulogy", but you should listen to the whole album.

Im happy also that they did not go to that "U2" direction that people feared, and that all of those tweens have moved onto bands like Fall Out Boy and so on. And for people who say Green Day sold out with American Idiot, do some research, Green Day already sold out when "Dookie" came out. And for people who say Green Day are not punk anymore, they are.

Anyway, definatly check out the whole album, the longer you get into the album, the better it gets. Do not just listen to the first two acts and give up its well worth getting past all that piano playing in Act I. Also do not judge the album by the singles (....21 Guns). Great album, great band, get this album.

TheGuwumpkis (May 31, 2009)

Growing up listening to green day i can safely say this is one of their coolest records to date.
plus, Christians Inferno seems to have a Network-ish vibe.
Buy it and love you dirty bitches

big-man13 (May 23, 2009)

I know this isn't green days normal punk but does any one recommend buying this CD??

name (May 22, 2009)

anyone else think this album would be much better if it started with "east jesus nowhere" and went on from there? ive been listening to the album that way and i really do enjoy it. different, but definitely harkens back to warning for me, parts of it even remind me of kerplunk!. the first seven songs (with the exception, maybe, of the first viva la gloria) are kind of inexcusable, though.

IanIsSuperRad (May 22, 2009)

http://billybobsaget.ytmnd.com/

scruffy (May 19, 2009)

Did anyone mention how "Last of the American Girls"' chorus sounds like "Thrash Unreal"? Because, if not, I am.

skinheadisland (May 18, 2009)

Pretty sure this reviewer has never actually heard Mott the Hoople.

branden (May 18, 2009)

this album is unlistenable.

JayTee (May 18, 2009)

"As far as it not sounding like Green Day ... I dunno. What about "Rest" (1990); "No One Knows", "Words I Might Have Ate" (1992); "Rotting", "Last Ride In", "Walking Alone" (1997); etc.? And I remember "Dookie"-era interviews where BJ talked about how The Who, The Beatles, Cheap Trick, etc. were an influence on him, so this album is not really all that surprising."

-----

Stop presenting facts to the angry mob.

wrongthreadpunk (May 18, 2009)

Score is for Saves The Day's setlist. needs more Can't Slow Down.

joshcore (May 18, 2009)

I can understand if this record doesn't do it for some people. I felt the same way about Warning when it came out — despite being a huge Green Day fan, I didn't even buy it for a few years — but it grew on me. "Warning" is still probably my least favorite GD record, but it didn't signal their demise; they followed it up with a record I enjoyed the hell out of.

As far as it not sounding like Green Day ... I dunno. What about "Rest" (1990); "No One Knows", "Words I Might Have Ate" (1992); "Rotting", "Last Ride In", "Walking Alone" (1997); etc.? And I remember "Dookie"-era interviews where BJ talked about how The Who, The Beatles, Cheap Trick, etc. were an influence on him, so this album is not really all that surprising.

There are definitely some weak spots on the record (the cover art and some of the lyrics come to mind), but after listening to it straight through a few times and then cherry-picking a few tracks a couple extra times (along with the excellent B-side "Lights Out"), I'm enjoying it. Not for all of the same reasons that I enjoy "Kerplunk", but that's OK — I already own "Kerplunk".

kira (May 18, 2009)

most best album everd!!!!!!!!

sirens (May 18, 2009)

sweet cover

VictorIkpeba24 (May 18, 2009)

I've not listened to it, but I just know it sucks.

paulrulzdood (May 18, 2009)

the review says it all.

only thing I have to add: "static age" is one of the coolest Green Day songs I've ever heard.

if nothing else, just download that song and see what you think.

epicchords (May 18, 2009)

green day have fucking sucked since warning.

conduit (May 18, 2009)

And that Funeral For A Friend comment...

I got albums to review a while ago and yes, I gave a Funeral For A Friend album an average review in 2003.

BUT YEAH MAN OPINION VOID

conduit (May 18, 2009)

What are you talking about? You just sound like an angry loser.

I listen to a lot of music, not just punk, so I couldn't care less if Green Day aren't punk anymore. Do you seriously take issue with this? Haha.

And I like "21st Century" because it has a ton of fun and catchy songs. I've listened to it about 4 times now, and I don't even know what the "rock opera" story or whatever is. It's a fun record to listen to, shut your little trap.

Maybe I am talking about this, you uninformed jackass?

http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/03/green-days-amer.htm l

Maybe you should educate yourself on what I say before you open your mouth. If you don't think Green Day's label doesn't try to slam this down kids throats as being against the system then my friend, you are blind.

But don't let me ruin your good time man!

The only angry loser I see is the fanboy Green Day kid trying to put me in his place when they have no idea what i'm talking about it.

So i'll go ahead and not shut my "little trap" (real cute).

Go fuck yourself.

colin (May 17, 2009)

for people complaining about the money green day makes or is spending, that's irrelevant; when you have the money to make something, you'll probably spend it, and when people buy your records, you can't control the return of the investment.

this record isn't bad because it's a new direction for the band, it's not bad because it isn't punk rock. it's bad because it isn't green day; the snot nose roots of the band don't even come through at all until the third "act," whereas in american idiot they were apparent about 30 seconds into the record.

green day can make an achieving rock album while still being them; that's what american idiot is. however, a majority of this album, while still clinging to the rock sensibilities of idiot, lost the one thing that made that album so great; the pissed off, almost martyr sensibility that was the songwriting of it. this sounds precocious and unnecessary, grandiose for the sake of attention.

i've loved this band since i got dookie on a cassette tape in 5th grade which is far enough back in time i choose not to count the years, and as much as i love this band and as much as they mean to me, this album is bad.

kylewagoner (May 17, 2009)

You fuckin' haters, you. It's not even cool to hate Green Day anymore, you know? Everyone loved them resulting in everyone hating them and now it's only cool to not say anything about Green Day. However, I'll say something and that is that, come on, what's the harm in a band starting as a punk band and then going in a different direction one day? Is that really such a fucking crime? You're the ones that need to get a grip. Score is to give a little credit to a band that is in it for the music. And I'll give it an actual score when I buy the album and hear everything on it.

sciulli (May 17, 2009)

"Hey, guess what?

Spending millions of dollars on your records isn't punk rock. Green Day haven't been anything near punk for so long it's literally lost all meaning at this point.

Do people who like good music actually still give a fuck about this band? Can everybody not see that just because a band that used to put out records like Kerplunk make a ridiculously dumb record that supposedly tells a "story" of some kind, with songs stretching amounts of time a band like Green Day should have never ever reached in the first place?

This band is putting out garbage for jocks and suburban nerds wanting to fit the "punk lifestyle"

fuck this shit"

What are you talking about? You just sound like an angry loser.

I listen to a lot of music, not just punk, so I couldn't care less if Green Day aren't punk anymore. Do you seriously take issue with this? Haha.

And I like "21st Century" because it has a ton of fun and catchy songs. I've listened to it about 4 times now, and I don't even know what the "rock opera" story or whatever is. It's a fun record to listen to, shut your little trap.

telegraphrocks (May 17, 2009)

Hey, guess what?

Spending millions of dollars on your records isn't punk rock. Green Day haven't been anything near punk for so long it's literally lost all meaning at this point.

Do people who like good music actually still give a fuck about this band? Can everybody not see that just because a band that used to put out records like Kerplunk make a ridiculously dumb record that supposedly tells a "story" of some kind, with songs stretching amounts of time a band like Green Day should have never ever reached in the first place?

This band is putting out garbage for jocks and suburban nerds wanting to fit the "punk lifestyle"

fuck this shit

Yeah, but you like Funeral For A Friend. So, opinion void.

conduit (May 17, 2009)

wyzo (May 17, 2009)

I will never actually listen to this record, so my score is more a lifetime green day rating.

And I have to give them some leeway because with a huge commercial band like GD, of course people will dislike them, and with me I just never found them interesting even back in the early 90s when I was sneaking into my brothers room to dub cassette copies of bad religion and minor threat, so the fact they've gotten ginormous is almost irrelevant since I've never paid too much attention to them one way or another.

So in fairness, I don't like this record, but I never liked Dookie or the one they'll record after this. It just seems generic to me, I went another way is how I should put it.

This seems, right down to the artwork, to be the same middle america, safe, hot topic style teen zeitgeist crap they tried to do with American Idiot where they take "dangerous" narratives and make them into sour-patch kids for the masses.

-w

misterspike (May 17, 2009)

I liked this album this first time ... when it was called American Idiot. Not a horribled record, but not what I really wanted ...

NewKid (May 17, 2009)

Can't beat $4.99 on Amazon. I actually was surprised for this record. I wasn't a big fan of American Idiot and knowing that they weren't going to write a punk album, I was curious as to the direction they take. It sounds like Nimrod-era Green Day to me.

Eric

Cox_Attack (May 17, 2009)

Score is for this record, the cover art, and the dude a 100 posts below me that put The Rudiments and Choking Victim in the same sentence. So insulting to The Rudiments....

chrisafi (May 17, 2009)

Just been listening to loads of Greenday pre-Idiot.

I'm not bitter they are a such a huge band now but they just don't have anything that appeals to me anymore. Listening to Welcome to Paradise, its about living in a dirty sleazy part of town and not giving a shit because your having the time of your life. Greenday live in big houses now. Really really really big houses. They couldn't be that band again if they wanted. And not because 'punx cnt be rich omg!' but because all that stuff I love is out of their system now. Sure they still have a bit of an edge to their lyrics but really most of it is vague, noncommital stereotypical bollocks.

Goodbye Greenday and thanks for everything :)

ifgabeldiesiwilldie (May 17, 2009)

i have yet to hear this album but im guessing Butch Vig's production ruined the album like on New Wave or Nevermind pfft i hate him

Cos (May 17, 2009)

I'm halfway through, and so far it sounds like Green Day trying to be JOURNEY.

Oi, this is going to be rough..

balaka2 (May 17, 2009)

Havent listened to it, but i gotta say, well written review. Kudos.

oldpunkerforever (May 17, 2009)

Just want to add that Rob Cavallo seems to know what makes these guys tick, brings out that "sound" of Green Day and after watching them last night, I can only say that they even looked bored performing the new stuff-oldpunker-

maverick (May 17, 2009)

These are the "Green Day ripping off Green Day" moments that immediately jump out to me:

• The guitar break in "Restless Heart Syndrome" sounds like it's from "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams."
• "East Jesus Nowhere" sounds like a less interesting "Holiday."
• "Static Age" recalls "Church On Sunday."
• The verses of the first half of "American Eulogy" line up with the verses of "Deadbeat Holiday."
• "Viva La Gloria? (Little Girl)" bears more than a passing resemblance to "Misery."
• "Last Of The American Girls" feels like the long-lost sequel to "Pulling Teeth."

If anyone wants to read my review, it's here: http://altpress.com/reviews/greendaybreakdown.htm

-Scott

Josiah (May 17, 2009)

i was bored from start to finish...not a single stand out track for me....i mean, sure, it's green day and it sounds like green day, but yeah, bored.

wearestillalive (May 17, 2009)

This album is dull, and if it wasn't a Green Day album then no one would care about it. Sounds more like Kaiser Chiefs than early Green Day, and that's probably why they've been tapped to open for them on tour.

blip (May 17, 2009)

the voice of reason has emerged below me.

JayTee ftw.

JayTee (May 17, 2009)

How is this album any less or more "punk" than the rest of their albums? It's still straight up fucking Green Day only this time there might be a piano intro preceding the aforementioned straight up fucking Green Day.

How is "peacemaker" any different from "Words I might have ate"?
How is "Eat Jesus Nowhere" any different from "Hitchin a ride"?
How is "American Eulogy" any different from "Jinx" followed by "Haushinnka"?

The guitar riff for "Life Before The Lobotomy" even sounds like the bass line for "No one knows" off Kerplunk.

Honestly, if you believe this album is anything less or more than Green Day, you're too concerned with inane nonsense how the new logo looks, or what color tie/how much makeup Billie Joe is wearing.

Green Day is Green Day is Green Day. If you like their other shit, you'll like this.

GlassPipeMurder (May 17, 2009)

i like how all the old-guard punknews posters have returned to post comments here.

score is for that.

fattony (May 16, 2009)

Snooze-fest. It took five years to make this!? I've listened to it a few times, and there's a handful of ok songs here, but it's otherwise forgettable and completely mediocre.

"All The Young Dudes" >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "21 Guns"

In fact, "21 Guns" may be the worst song Green Day has ever written.

Piata (May 16, 2009)

4 stars?

Seriously?

This album sounds like a huge re-hash of American Idiot. It was a struggle just to listen to it from start to finish.

telegraphrocks (May 16, 2009)

9/10

mike_b (May 16, 2009)

This was a good review. Summed up my thoughts perfectly.

It's not exactly what I wanted. I wanted to hear old Green Day but what I got were some solid songs and an album that I find kinda inspiring in a way too.

souls21 (May 16, 2009)

This album isn't terrible by any means. I'll be interested to see where they go from here because i really don't think they can continue doing this concept anymore. Favorite tracks are 21st Century Breakdown, Restless Heart Syndrome, Murder City and 21 Guns.

And does anyone else think the verse's of Last of the American Girls sound like a part of Thrash Unreal???

souls21 (May 16, 2009)

superdookie (May 16, 2009)

You know, I think Money Money 2020 was maybe my favorite thing they've put out since Insomniac. Certainly Transistor's Gone Wild / Roshambo / Spike / Right-Hand-o-Rama were more interesting than any quartet of songs on any of the more recent albums. So, I guess it's established fact now that the two other mystery members were not part of Devo, but rather Jason White and Jason Freese. But who in the wide world of fuck was that Germanic nutter?

superdookie (May 16, 2009)

Video Killed The Radio Star. Got it.

superdookie (May 16, 2009)

But even The Static Age rips off something from the 80s that I can't put my finger on. Someone tell me what it is. Is driving me fucking nuts.

superdookie (May 16, 2009)

Best song is The Static Age. By far and a long way.

superdookie (May 16, 2009)

What the fuck happened to my ability to write a proper sentance?

superdookie (May 16, 2009)

Is weird. With every album they've put out since Kerplunck, they did something different, while this is just a rather uninventive synthesis of Warning, AI, and Money Money 2020. I can't be bother to check, but I suspect there ain't a song that couldn't pass as a long lost component of JoS, Homecoming, or whatever. So yeah, it all sounds too unnervingly familiar to make for a good listening, even if the tunes aren't half bad and B.J.'s voice is as good as it probably ever has been . . . having that, though, the band's guitar and bass have been emaciated something horrible . . .

So, was listening to Insomniac just now and seriously found it hard to believe that B.J. once wrote lyrics like that and that they made music that was that invigorating. Well, 21BD will outsell everything since Dookie, so to each his own, I guess.

In sum, score is for all those who care to read the review and haven't found, downloaded, listened to, and loved "American Edit" by Dean Gray. Is great b/c it manages to rip AI's liberal use of influence while making some damn good music out of it. All in all, it makes for much more interesting listening than the source product.

Slacker (May 16, 2009)

Best song on here is American Eulogy, especially when Mike sings

all the songs should sound like that

splendidtune (May 16, 2009)

Crackpot, you are a crackpot. They didn't rip off Sixten, they credit him in the booklet...

jacknife737 (May 16, 2009)

The album is pretty fucking good, although i can't say it's without flaws. A few songs took quite a while to grow on me, and and it still feels a bit too long, but there really isn't a song that i actively dislike on the album. I think the tracklisting was quite well done, not a top heavy album at all, since some of the best stuff isn't found until near the end. Overall the album sounds like the bastard child of Warning and American Idiot.

The highlights: Peacemaker, Static Age, Before the Lobotomy
The lowlights: Know Your Enemy, Title Track

A lot of the comments in this thread are also laughably predictable. It's totally legit to not like the album, but i can't help feeling that a significant portion of those who dislike it didn't bother listening to the whole thing, or maybe listened to a stream like once.

hairysteve (May 16, 2009)

This is way punker than your precious Rudiments or Choking Victim. They're bringing it down - FROM THE INSIDE!

Score is for how much I rule.

crackpotdemagogue (May 16, 2009)

i knew this would be a disapointment the moment i set my eyes upon the crudley plagiarized Sixten cover art. I can't get over the sad irony that a gated community dwelling, multi-millionaire rock star is singing about social disintegration. Not to mention the 'revolutionary' imagery in the lyrics to "Know Your Enemy" - the pure commodification of dissent. Isn't capitalism wonderful? We know who our enemy is... and we embrace her, lovingly, in a twisted death dance off the edge of a cliff.

screeching_bottlerocket (May 16, 2009)

i don't think this band will ever make a bad record. i also don't think they'll ever make a better record than insomniac.

that being said, i actually kinda like this album. it harkens back a little bit to nimrod in places. definitely a step up from american idiot.

Chadreligion (May 16, 2009)

I think static age sounds like the chorus to Church On Sunday. I also think that the last part of Jesus Of Suburbia(the lead guitar on the instrumental) sounds like Social Distortion's version of Ring Of Fire.

IanIsSuperRad (May 16, 2009)

Does anyone else think The Static Age sounds like a sped up version of Macy's Day Parade?

Maybe that's why it's the only song on the album I like.

Wesley_Snipes (May 16, 2009)

21st Century Piracy

likeaparasite (May 16, 2009)

When they're not making pretentious wannabe 'epic' songs aping people like Queen with piano and 'crooning vocals' and all that bullshit, the album is actually pretty good. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen until 8 songs in. There are some fine songs towards the end like "Last of the American Girls", "Murder City", "Peacemaker", "Horseshoes and Handgrenades", and "The Static Age", and most of those are good because they don't stray too far from Green Day's signature sound. Everything they do that's 'new', however, sounds like them trying to be something they're not, which comes across forced and lame. If the whole album had been like the songs where they're just sticking to their own unique style (like their old albums were) instead of mimicking someone else's, it wouldn't be such a drag.

I never thought there'd be a Green Day album where I liked half of it and thought the other half totally sucked. They've been one of the few bands where I could depend on them to make every single song on the album (except maybe one or two) excellent every time. They used to be one of the most reliably consistent bands. Now they're just another band that makes an album mostly of filler and you just need to pick and choose the few good songs while ignoring the rest. I've bought every Green Day album since Dookie and I think this is the first one in 15 years not worth buying. Sadly, it'll probably be one of the best sellers. Like Sugar Ray remaking "Fly" with every subsequent single they did after, Green Day found a formula that brought them success on their last album, and now they're just milking it.

whoostin (May 16, 2009)

This album is more in the direction of actual song writing compared to American Idiot, so kudos to that. But a very mediocre album indeed

lostandclowned (May 16, 2009)

Cos, Rob Cavallo didn't produce "Warning". Green Day did it themselves.

kevgren (May 16, 2009)

Forgot it was an out of 10 rating. Meant to give 4 out of 5. 8 out of 10.

kevgren (May 16, 2009)

Another long time Green Day fan. Pretty much agree with your review to a T. I was wondering why the melody from "21 Guns" sounded familiar, and you nailed it! It's better than the P.O.D. ripoff on "Are We the Waiting" from American Idiot, at least.

I think some of the better songs they've written are on this album, along with a few of the worst. I think it's worth adding the lyrics are atrocious, but I've listened to stuff with worse lyrics and tried not to let the bother me. Just expected better from Billie.

But yeah, a few very, very good songs on here. And a bit of the Warning sound with some more balls, which I like. I got the iTunes version with the cover songs. "Another State of Mind" is exactly like the original, basically, not unlike their Ramones and Husker Du covers. The "Like a Rolling Stone" cover is surprisingly good!

oldpunkerforever (May 16, 2009)

really weak cd, they seem to have lost what made them Green Day in favor of ??? growth? being the biggest band in the world??..not sure and after hearing this, dont care. I will continue to reach for Insomniac, Kerplunk, Nimrod and remember Y I used to love these guys, bratty, snotty punk rock, not elevator punk-oldpunker-

Eelsupinsideya (May 16, 2009)

This is 'beginners' punk, the sort of stuff that gets 11 year olds into something that isn't off the disney channel but then allows them to dig deeper and discover better stuff. Nothing wrong with that I suppose. I'd rather 11 year olds listening to this than High School Musical or something.

Deadpan (May 16, 2009)

This album is horseshit. Not only is it utterly dull and uninspired, but Green Day also seem to have reached a point where they can't write original music any more. Not only are they ripping other bands off liberally, they're doing the same to their own back catalogue. It was bad enough when they half-inched the riff for American Idiot from Dillinger Four. To re-use that same riff again on this album, albeit slowed down, is unforgiveable, as is the complete lack of presence Mike has on it. Oh wow, he gets lead vocals on a song. Too bad it's at the expense of his bass, it seems. What happened to the guy who played Longview? J.A.R.? Panic Song? Where did he go? Who is this new Mike, and why does he suck so hard at bass?

Dull, generic, and completely overblown. These guys have been one of my favourite bands since I was fourteen, but this is so disappointing it's unreal. Hell, I even liked American Idiot the first few times I heard it, but this can't even manage that.

INDW (May 16, 2009)

mark morrison is from my home town and always used to drive past the local venue in his limo with blacked out windows. a true legend. especially with that 'get a look-a-like to do your community service' idea. special.

skolarx (May 16, 2009)

i listened to the first 2 songs and then went back to listening to the audio book of world war z. maybe i'll make it back to this eventually, make that trip to the store to buy it on my way to work worth wihile. maybe not though, what i listened to reminded me too much of the snoozefest that was american idiot.

chrisafi (May 16, 2009)

Score is for inevitable dissapointment.

Whoever said this is American Idiot without any of the good elements - bingo.

The review is right - this is a rock record buts its trashy and mediocre.

Cos (May 16, 2009)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the first Green Day album since "Kerplunk" that isn't produced by Rob Cavallo?

Pretty strange. Not strange enough to make me want to listen though. Sorry lads!

mikexdude (May 16, 2009)

Never heard of the album "Minority" but if you mean "Warning:", then you're way wrong. Easily their most tasteful genre experimenting and much more modest than this or AI. It's got to be their best or up there with Dookie.

xcarlupanddiex (May 16, 2009)

the artwork reminds me of my chemical romance's three cheers for sweet revenge and considering they're on the same label too ..

anyway i think this is the worst green day album , after minority

mikexdude (May 16, 2009)

And no, I don't know my enemy. Now shut up.

TahoeJeff (May 16, 2009)

I like this album a lot. However the artwork is totally the Insubordination Fest 2007 art:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_L1Ll0qXhvmk/RoM7TdFShTI/AAAAAAA AAJc/dSvtihRcwn0/s400/insubfestposter.jpg

ozmanx (May 16, 2009)

Nobody stone me for saying this but I enjoy their Dylan cover.

mikexdude (May 16, 2009)

I hate rating albums low when it's obvious the amount of time and care they put into it... sadly, this just doesn't completely do it for me.

BrickLayerJar (May 15, 2009)

good review, very nice comparisons..they're dead on. good album as well.

FuckYouOiOiOi (May 15, 2009)

Why cant i give this a rating goddam new punknews

FuckYouOiOiOi (May 15, 2009)

This album is really fucking good.

Its like American Idiot + Nimrod + Warning= 21st Century Breakdown

I think its better than Coaster although the Decline is way better. They pretty much have the same themes too.

Xbat-miteX (May 15, 2009)

I would much rather listen to anything by Liz Phair than anything Green Day has put out since Insomniac

LinoleumMagazine (May 15, 2009)

I lestened to theree sings on their stream and thet kind sucked. I aint giving these douche nozels my money. I'm gonna steall it inline!

I'm drunk. fuck you!

splendidtune (May 15, 2009)

Don't care if it isn't "punk." They're my favorite band.

thomas7155 (May 15, 2009)

Lame. Just "American Idiot" without balls.

GreenVandal (May 15, 2009)

Can't listen to this. Probably never will. I don't have a good reason really. All I know is that J.A.R, Welcome to Paradise, and the entire album of Insomniac will always be close to my heart. This stuff isn't the Green Day I give a shit about. Good for them and all, but....no.

Chadreligion (May 15, 2009)

After listening to this entire album (both live and studio versions), I think it's the most unambitious, and generic album Green Day could have ever written. It pretty much sounds like what they tried to write before American Idiot and had put it on the back burner for later.
They seem really fucking bored throughout the whole album.....
I was not looking forward to this record, but still gave it a chance anyway because it's Green Day, but alas, I was failed.
Maybe next time, they can write a punk rock album with 2 1/2 minute songs (that aren't interludes to others), instead of trying to be "The Greatest Rock and Roll band in the world"

slimpunk (May 15, 2009)

Sounds way too much like American Idiot, except almost none of the songs stand out this time.

And as someone mentioned before, it's way too fucking long. Should've focused on quality guys.

ehx82 (May 15, 2009)

Love it. A perfect mix of the bombast of idiot and the genre expanding warning.

Score is for both the review and the album.

nowah (May 15, 2009)

score is for wanting to watch juno

drewshaw (May 15, 2009)

sounds like green day to me

lostandclowned (May 15, 2009)

It's great.

colin (May 15, 2009)

this is pretty awful.

thegreatestmanalive (May 15, 2009)

i have not heard this record and therefore will not comment on its aural contents. Having said that, the cover makes me want to stab my own eyes out with ice picks

DeMoNDReS (May 15, 2009)

WTF!!!... This is a new Hannah Montana or a Milli Vanilli record???

Listening to this I realize that American Idiot wasnt their lowest point!

Today its a sad day for the PopPunk cause Green Day has officially died!

salvation (May 15, 2009)

hated this when i first heard it, but i dunno, i'm warming up to it a bit. when you get past the cheesy slow piano intros, there are some good songs here.

also, i agree with wentz_equals_death. hopefully this well be the end of the whole epic concept album thing. two albums in this style is enough, don't really want to see them do any more of it.

wentz_equals_death (May 15, 2009)

streamed it twice and was overall pretty bored. still got goosebumps once or twice that only your (former) favorite band can induce, though.

they got popular for 1039 and refined their style with kerplunk. they got famous for dookie and really embraced the "snotty young punk" label with insomniac. they got revitalized with "good riddance" (nimrod) and expanded on that different instrumentation with warning. they exploded with american idiot and went further with that shit here.

no point to this except that i hope this trend of album pairs continues and that they don't keep making "epic" pop records, even if this is good for what it is

boba_fett (May 15, 2009)

meh. its about what i expected. and that doesnt mean its good.

Irish_Punk_Is_Gimmickry (May 15, 2009)

I just don't understand that if this band is gonna steal melodies and entire concepts from other bands, why are they so lazy about it? At least rip off some shit that most people haven't heard.

telegraphrocks (May 15, 2009)

Getting in before 45,000 comments...

I can totally understand why lots of people will hate this album, but I fucking LOVE it!!!
Only song I'm not really that into is "Christian's Inferno"... I just really hate the way the verses are recorded.

9/10.... fuck the haters, dawg! Aight, b? Word! 8-year-old anarchist reprezentin!

Seriously though, I'm loving this album.

dreeeamweaver (May 15, 2009)

score is for mark morrison's "return of the mack" not being available in original form on youtube, nor available as a ringtone anywhere in the united states.

dreeeamweaver (May 15, 2009)

score is for mark morrison's "return of the mack"

bryne (May 15, 2009)

This record is way, way too long and so far, only a few songs really stand out as winners. I'll give it a few more listens, but overall I'd say I'm bummed about it.

xshoutoutx (May 15, 2009)

Score is for Pinhead Gunpowder

...this shit suxxxxxxx!

pricey123 (May 15, 2009)

static age = church on sunday.

actually i hear loads of previous green day on this album, and then some

Torgo (May 15, 2009)

P.S. this is going to be better than Rancid's new album

Torgo (May 15, 2009)

I'll allow it!

pricey123 (May 15, 2009)

horseshoes and handgrenades = the hives.

some great stuff, a couple of dudds though. murder city is my favourite off the album

MrStylson (May 15, 2009)

I more or less agree with the review. 1/4 missteps, 1/2 par with the rest of their releases, 1/4 some of the best songs they've ever made.

At least for me, Peacemaker, Viva La Gloria (Little Girl), Static Age, and American Eulogy are the standouts.

jacobtheserf (May 15, 2009)

Waaaahhh
waaaaaahhh
i'm too punk for this album
this album is not punk enough for me
waaaaaaaaaahhhh

RYANGP (May 15, 2009)

The Chariot's new record > Green Day's

scorpiondeathlock (May 15, 2009)

dOeZ it Rawk agaINZT bUsh?

spacemanspliff (May 15, 2009)

Wow, the dude below my last post posted his while I was writing mine and we used a lot of the same words. That's CRAZY! I'm Brian Fellow!

spacemanspliff (May 15, 2009)

The Simpsons arcade game was sooooo rad. So was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I spent my last token on that once at the mall when I was 5 or 6, and I had to pee so fucking bad, but I wasn't gonna stop playing. My mom got pissed when she had to drag me away and clean me up.

Oh, and this album BLOWS.

tenwestchaser (May 15, 2009)

The cover art is disgustingly horrible. The simpsons arcade at chuck-e-cheese was so amazing. I got to the very last part of the game and my mom drug me out of the their kicking and screaming because she wouldn't let me finish it. I'm still pissed.

scruffy (May 15, 2009)

I still love Chuck E. Cheese.

I guess there's a metaphor there, as well.

ozmanx (May 15, 2009)

Score is for playing The Simpsons arcade as a kid at Chuck E Cheese.

Dante3000 (May 15, 2009)

Remember how good Chuck E. Cheese was as a kid? Then in college you and your friend thought it'd be rad to go again and you found the pizza was cardboard and the ball pit was filled with germs and children's feces?
There's a metaphor there.
-Dante