With a decidedly more leaner pop-rock structure than the punk-rock outlook of their earlier political parable, American Idiot, Green Day’s latest album, 21st Century Breakdown, is stadium-sized ambitious. The 18 track album is tremendously ear-friendly, thanks to Nirvana-fame Butch Vig. There is a marked salute towards their idols – Queen and Who, specifically – in the way they’ve embraced classic rock. The theme – Gloria and Christian, caught in an apocalyptic mess – works too, but for the fact that it takes itself way too seriously, even after the target of their earlier angst – Bush regime, is no more! The 3-act album requires multiple listens to appreciate the thematic nuances cited, but even for its sheer sound, it’s a definitely a damn good hear! 21 guns, Horseshoes and hand grenades, Peacemaker, Christian’s inferno, Viva la Gloria, Know your enemy and the title song are some of the tracks that instantly appeal. My personal picks are the more ballad’ish Restless heart syndrome and Last night on earth. Even though there are only 2 tracks that cross the 5 minute mark (21 guns and the title track), the album does get tedious since it demands submission into its self-indulgent utterances so convincingly.
Keywords: Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, Tré Cool, American Idiot, 21st Century Breakdown
