Review Summary: 21st century breakdown is one of the stupidest albums ever made
So, by looking at that summary above, I am sure you think I am some kind of green-day-hater. I assure you, I am not. You see, this album really isn't bad at all. Why then, do I give it a 2? Because for the life of me, I have no idea why this album was made.
Im sure that that first paragraph got plenty of you fellow fans a little angry, and i can understand that. But what i say is true - This album does not do anything to further green day's career. it felt like all this time, we were building up to something. Dookie was a small masterpiece, Warning was an underrated album, american idiot changed our outlook on them; it just felt like something....spectacular was going to happen. Not a word was heard about the album up to its completion, and then it was hyped to no end. Look, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the album, from a musical standpoint, its just a letdown. A massive letdown. let me tell you why.
Let's take a step back to look at some green day songs....welcome to paradise. A song that really changed the game. Full of emotion, great, raw sound, and everybody knew it. From there, we went to songs like warning, with an interesting twist that drove a new sound. American idiot....Jesus of Suburbia. An epic, and while the album had a little more filler than i had hoped, It was still an accomplishment musically. I get absolutely no feeling of that here. Instead, i get a collection of mildly-alright songs that are being played on the radio nonstop. I don't want to keep saying it, the album is not bad, but the execution is. Have a look at East Jesus Nowhere, 21 Guns, and.....i guess last of the american girls. Now throw out the album. you have not missed anything. That is why I gave the album a 2/5....it's just pointless. Yes, when i walk down the street, I do once in a while put on 21 guns. Maybe east jesus nowhere. Pretty good songs. But, for 10 years, as i walk down the street i have been putting on songs like waiting, burnout, and other gems. I would have rather had a bad album period than this forgettable romp through "unexplored territory." You see, every time a concept album comes along, people randomly praise it, even though the music is severely lacking sometimes. And what is weird about this album is the music isnt EVEN LACKING, it's just got no passion soul, or any point at all. It's like they came up with an idea of what a great album is and let Billy Ray Cyrus take over the production, which is honestly a massive problem with the album. Not only is it overproduced, the songs have very strange, very tangy feels to them.
HOWEVER, my job is to review the album, and truth be told, its got some high's. Do you know your enemy is not a very good song, but after playing NHL 10, i realize its a pretty good sports song. Also, the guitarwork on here needs some love. It's still as good as ever, and while some may laugh at that remark, its damn good riffs. Also, the concept itself needs admiration. It's an ambitious project, and the whole "glam Apocalypse" vibe they have is pretty good. The music videos are fairly decent as well.
Look, it's all subjective. I'm sure die hard fans will be glad it's out. The whole problem i have with it is that it is an 18 song album with about 3 memorable tracks, and even then they cant hold a candle to an album like nimrod. The pitfall of this album is that it fails to connect with people, and the end result is just some hollow assembly line production feel.
