21st Century Breakdown: Album Review

Green Day's long awaited eight album has been released to much fanfare. But is the hype justified?

With American Idiot, Green Day became a household institution with sales and popularity soaring. Their new found political drive became the voice of an angry American generation and endeavoured to awaken the people from an apathetic slumber. Unfortunately, with such lofty ambitions the music of American Idiot became more of a backdrop to politics and not the focal point of the album. I feared that Green Day would continue down this road and place more emphasis on political messages rather than creative forms of expression.

It is with this trepidation that I listened to Green Day's newest offering, 21st Century Breakdown. The album is divided into three different acts and the more expensive edition is bundled with artistic impressions of each act and song. While this approach may seem pretentious or contrived it is indicative of the adjusted focus of the band. Green Day have used these forms along with varying song length, sound and structure to experiment with methods of sharing their message. While the political theme is still evident, it is more expertly weaved through the actual music and as such, both are equally important to the album.

21st Century Breakdown is therefore less politically divisive and more musically creative. This is borne out in many of the songs on the album.  "Before the Lobotomy" and the title track both showcase an array of musical arrangements and a wide range of versatility. Tracks like "Know Your Enemy" are more overtly political and stand as weaker (but more popular with militant American youths) points on the album. At least these songs are shorter and just as musically simple as their message. 

These tracks really bring us to the crux of 21st Century Breakdown: the political messages are there if you want them, but Green Day have managed to make the music the focal point of this new album and I very much hope they continue in this manner.

-The English Student