Has it really been five whole years since Green Day released American Idiot? It has, and this May — with sold-out tours, a bunch of platinum plaques, and a pseudonymous side project behind them — the elder statesmen of pop-punk are returning with 21st Century Breakdown. Some coworkers and I just got back from hearing a few unmastered, in-progress selections from the new album at Green Day’s label. Short version: If you loved American Idiot, you will probably like this one, too. It’s another ambitious rock opera about America, love, and faith. Long version: Read on for the goods on the six songs we heard.
* "21st Century Breakdown": The title track unfolded like a Who-style mini-suite, cycling through chords and moods behind Billie Joe Armstrong’s angsty lyrics: "My generation is zero/I never made it as a working-class hero." (Interesting choice of words there.)
* "Know Your Enemy": A more straight-forward, guitar-charging anthem.
* "Before the Lobotomy": Armstrong opens this emotional number in a tender near-falsetto before some powerful riffage kicks in.
* "March of the Dogs": My favorite of the songs we heard, this one pairs pull-no-punches lyrics about organized religion with a propulsive backbeat. The hook reminded me of American Idiot’s "Holiday," always a good thing.
* "Restless Heart Syndrome": We only heard the second half of this song, which built from crystalline pianos to squalling guitars. The lyrics ("I’m elated/Medicated/I am my own worst enemy") could be about addiction, or something else entirely.
* "21 Guns": A sensitive arena-rock cut that made some of my colleagues think of Toto’s "Africa." I thought the chorus sounded more like ELO’s "Telephone Line." Neither of those comparisons should necessarily be taken as a criticism.
So? Does all that make you more or less excited to hear the new Green Day album? Only a few months to go…
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We are patientally waiting for more info on KELLYS NEW CD!! “ALL I EVER WANTED”
PLEASE A REVIEW A TASTE…ANYTHING!
Unfortunately this makes me less excited for their new album. I thought American Idiot was their worst album to date, and this sounds like more of the same. It had a few good songs, but it was very disappointing. How anyone can say AI is better than Dookie, Nimrod, or even Insomniac is beyond me. Sure, it made somewhat of a statement, but the music was cookie cutter and bland.
american idiot is one of my favorite cd’s when we are in the car it is always in the rotation. i am so excited to hear that a follow up is in the works!
I am very excited about this one and knowing it’s like American Idiot just makes me even happier. Thanks for the update!
Being compared to Toto is ALWAYS a bad thing.
This is really good to hear. I personally loved AI. Knowing that their new album will be similar makes the wait extremely frustrating.
ahhhhh!!!! i cant wait!
i knew they would have another album. all my friends had given up.
This is going to be great. Despite what other fans feel, I believe that Green Day has gotten progressively better every album. Their at the height of their careers and I know that they won’t disappoint.
I”M S”O EXCITED! AND I AGREE WITH THE guY.girl BEFORE Me!!!@ YEAAAAAHHHH
I LOVE GREEN DAY!!!!!!! I am so Excited!!!! If it is like AI that is fine because that’s my favorite album of theirs. I do hope that they have some Insomniac and Dookie sounding tracks though.
Omg! I can’t wait! Green Day’s music changed me so much. They got me into punk when I was 13
They’re awesome live too!
STOP teasing us and let us listen! I ordered the album already. Geezzzzzz!
Can’t say that I’m waiting with baited breath to hear thet new Green Day album, but I’m sure I’ll listen to it eventually!
Been a fan for 15 years. Green Day can do no wrong.
omg ive been waiting for this album for the longest time greenday is my favorite band in the world
Armstrong is definitely getting younger every year. I smell portrait.
okay, im saying before i say this, im not a teenie, i consider myself a hardcore punk rocker.
i love green day, they got me into punk music, billie’s lyrics changed my life, and i can’t wait for the new album, after the long wait i was beginning to think green day had broken up! but, that will never happen, right…
Yes this is their 1st album since American Idiot under the greend day band name. But they also have a few other bands. “Foxboro Hot Tubes” is a green day side band and also “teenagers from outer space”. I dont like there sound that they came up with for teenagers from outer space but I like the mix between the 50’s and 90’s mixed sound from there foxboro hot tubes band. If you like green day take a lison to some of there side projects.
I thought it would be more like Dookie… Now i’m less excited and afraid of being disappointed
i have been waiting 5 years for this! The next few months are going to be like another 5 years…I can’t Wait!!!
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