Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown

In 1987, Green Day the California-based punk band was introduced. With their release “Dookie” in 1994, they soon become mainstream, with a regular radio rotation. Although they kept their punks roots and unique looks their music became more listener friendly.

Green Day has sold sixty-five million records worldwide, and a fan base that doesn’t disappoint. With the new May 15th release, “21st Century Breakdown” it can be said that Green Day does not disappoint either. After a five-year hiatus, since 2004′s “American Idiot”, Billie Joe, Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt return with a fresh approach. “21st Century Breakdown” is a three-part musical that into the lives of a couple of young kids, Gloria and Christian, who are doing their best given the trials and tribulations they have faced them, so far, in the 21st century.

The album is slightly political in nature, with references to George W. Bush, as being partly responsible for the problems these young kids are in. Other lyrics criticize religion, and anti-war ideals.

“21st Century Breakdown” is a significant step forward in Green Day’s musical progression, one in which they chose to move farther away from their straight punk roots and into a more rock-related, radio-friendly sound that harkens to mind bands like NOFX and Good Charlotte, who started with a more roots-of-punk sound and eventually evolved into politics and religion. 2004′s, “American Idiot”, which was hailed as Green Day’s first attempt at a rock opera, seems to have set the tone for their new sound and style. Rolling Stone is calling Green Day’s latest studio album “even more ambitious than American Idiot”, which is quite a compliment, considering the complicated nature of that album and the politics involved.

Green Day’s latest is being produced by Garbage drummer, Butch Vig, who helped out with 1994′s “Dookie” and has previously produced for such bands as Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins, which shows that the trio are definitely moving in a new and different direction that their previous albums. “21st Century Breakdown” is reminiscent of influences such as Queen and The Clash, and is sure to be a winner for Green Day enthusiasts and might even persuade those who have left the fan base because of the new direction to give it a listen.