| Green Day | Primary Artist |
| Tre Cool | Percussion, Drums |
| Patrick Warren | Conductor |
| Mike Dirnt | Bass, Bass Guitar, Vocals |
| Billie Joe Armstrong | Guitar, Piano, Vocals |
| Jason Freese | Piano |
| Green Day | Composer, Audio Production |
| Ted Jensen | Mastering, Remastering |
| Joe McGrath | Engineer |
| Butch Vig | Producer, Audio Production |
| Patrick Warren | String Conductor |
| Bill Schneider | Guitar Techician, Band Coordinator |
| Mike Fasano | Drum Technician |
| Billie Joe Armstrong | Composer |
| Kenny Butler | Drum Technician |
| Chris Dugan | Engineer |
| Brad Kobylczak | Engineer |
| Tom Kitt | Arranger, String Arrangements |
| Andrew Schubert | Engineer |
| Brad Townsend | Engineer |
After hours of youtube surfing i was able to hear at least small clips of most of the songs from this slbum being performed live. I can honestly say that this is an amazing album written by an amazing band. I thought it impossible for them to be able to top American Idiot but I believe they have. The single "Know Your Enemy" is awesome because they seem to have recaptured their old sound (which many people prefer to the new Green Day sound) but still maintained that awesome level of maturity that they had with American Idiot. Many people say that politics should be left out of music. Maybe they're right but since that's never going to happen then we must thank and praise Green Day for being able to deliver their political message with a very granduer and overal musically pleasing style. I tip my hat to Billie Joe, Mike Dirnt, and Tre Cool for the many hours of entertainmentn that their first seven albums have provided and for the many hours their eighth album will provide in two days!
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
oh my gosh....soooooo good! cant wait to go to the concert!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Maske
Posted October 1, 2010
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I obviously don't have this CD yet, but it's one that I've anticipated for awhile now. I heard their song "Know Your Enemy" on the radio and I had a feeling that their next album is going to be a keeper. I definitly recommend this to any Greenday fans out there.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
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green day is the best of the best enough said
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.There is a big difference between just any old album, and a new Green Day album. For years Green Day has held a snotty, obnoxious, lovable punk sound. 21st Century Breakdown still embodies some of the original Green Day power, but also holds a newer, more mature sound.
Lead singer, Billie Joe Armstrong wows many with his screechy, punk voice. However, it has evolved from the nascent 1039/Smooth EP. His voice has now strayed from the screaming Sid Vicious to one that could... well, sing.
Mike Dirnt, and his bass, still remain pure, unfiltered, rock and roll. And, if I may say so myself, it will be a cold day in hell when his grimaces stop scaring the bejesus- yet warming the hearts - out of so many people.
Tre Cool is certainly a sight to see. As he always has been. He probably remains the most constant thing in the band, from album to album. His crazy faces and wild antics show through in his drumming, which sounds like a windup crack monkey. Enough said.
The bonus tracks could make anyone music fan EXTREMELY happy. A very vintage sounding Green Day song, Another State of Mind, is perfect for the oldie Green Day fan. Next comes the fabulous version of The Who's A Quick One While He's Away. Definatley two songs worth listening too...
21st Century Breakdown has some unforgettable hits, like the title track, Know Your Enemy, and the ballad, 21 Guns. If I were you, your money certainly would not be wasted if you were to go out and buy this album. Just don't look for it at Walmart!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
It is great to lesten to. I love every song on the CD.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Ann1
Posted October 1, 2010
Though different then there previous cd American Idiot, their new cd is much more smoother and laid back. One of my favorite songs is 21 Guns. A hit with several other Green Day fans.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.rackbar
Posted October 1, 2010
Thought provoking. Love it.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Just another great CD from Green Day! I would definately recommend it. The track 21 Guns is amazing.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 1, 2010
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This new CD has all the hit potential of American Idiot with interesting melodic structure in addition the basic three chord Green Day we all know and love. There are shades of other songs inherent in this album, but that it does not detract from the overall musicality.
Highly Reccommend tracks 4. !Viva la Gloria!, 3. Know Your Enemy, and 9. Peacemaker.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Great collection of new songs by Green Day. My favorites are Know Your Enemy and 21 Guns. Last night on Earth reminds me of a song from the Beatles. Fans of Green Day will enjoy this new CD.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.amazing album by one very amazing band!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Five years after the smash hit American Idiot, Green Day releases it's "spiritual" sequel: 21st Century Breakdown. With leading singles, the fist pumping anthem Know Your Enemy and rock ballad 21 Guns, this rock opera is by far Green Day's most ambitious album.
Rather than following their biggest album since their mainstream debut, Dookie, quickly with a follow up Green Day opted to take it's time with the followup. After spending most of 2005 touring in support of American Idiot, they reconvened in 2006 to start work on 21st Century Breakdown. In January of 2008, they entered the first of four studios they would record the album at with producer Butch Vig, and finally released the album nearly five years after American Idiot. The question is: was it worth the wait?
It was more than worth the wait. With 21st Century Breakdown, Green Day doesn't just show grand ambition, but also creates their most personal album to date. Where American Idiot spoke of life during the Bush administration, 21st Century Breakdown looks at life after the Bush administration and the frustrations with religion, society, government, and, naturally, authority in general. Taking pieces from his own life, Billy Joe Armstrong writes upon his experiences and views ("Born into Nixon, I was raised in hell" from the song 21st Century Breakdown refers to his birth in 1972 while the line "We are the class of '13" refers to Armstrong's own son's future graduation date of 2013) to craft an album that is more accessible for it.
When you listen to this album you notice that it does sound a bit different than past Green Day albums. Rather than just taking a straight up punk approach, Green Day listened to vinyl records ranging from The Who, The Kinks, and even Meat Loaf in preparing for this album. Because of this the album has a slightly more retro and arena ready feel than past Green Day albums. Songs like Viva la Gloria! and Before the Lobotomy would sound completely at home in the 60's and 70's if the distortion was stripped away, and they even delve into mariachi on Peacemaker and Greek stylings on Viva la Gloria? (Little Girl). Also, rather than writing most of the songs with guitar as normal, Billie Joe Armstrong wrote most of the songs with piano giving them a more organic and earthy singer songwriter feel even amongst the distorted guitars and punk back beat drums.
But, for those of you who love old school Green Day, don't fret, they're still all about punk and have never sounded tighter. With lines like "Raise your hands now to testify/ Your confession will be crucified/ You're a sacrificial suicide/ Like a dog that's been sodomized" from East Jesus Nowhere Green Day still doesn't leave anyone to wonder about their punk cred. And after listening to the title track from this album, any questions about how tight they are will vanish from anyone's mind. If anything, Green Day has only gotten better with age.
In short, I personal think that this is arguably Green Days best effort. Branching out proves to only suit Green Day in a way that most bands don't seem to be able to pull off.
Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
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I always thought that Green Day was, is, and always will be the Best Band Ever, and this album is no exception. Green Day just keeps getting better and better. And to the review I read, they haven't lost their impish, irreverent humor behind! This album makes fun of Religions! Stupid critic who can't interpret songs! That is a reason why I love Green Day though, their humor, musical ability, and their personalities! (Just for the record, I'm going to say a famous Billie Joe Armstrong quote: "Y'know")
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
Loved this CD - Green Day writes relevant songs - CD is soulful and punk at the same time - excellent band..
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
I have always been a fan of green day. and it seemed that all there albums got worse and worse but when i bought this album i thought what a trurn around i think this is the best one so far.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.SherWI
Posted October 1, 2010
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The headline says it all....sounds too much like AI musically in alot of the songs, like it's trying to be AI Part Two but is weak - like a sequal to a good first movie where the stuff just gets old. If I had never heard American Idiot, I would have graded this higher, however.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
This may be a generationaI problem. I purchased this on the advise of my son. While we have similar tastes in music sometime, I find this CD to be a real downer. It is mean spirited and ugly. I listen to music to feel good and this CD does not do that. I will not be listening to it again.
0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Your-average-consumer
Posted October 1, 2010
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The lyrics are amazing, original, and inspiring. The tunes are original, thoughtful and flowing. It is a bit load with the electric guitar, which makes the lyrics hard to hear at some points, but in the way of sounds the electric guitar is absolutely amazing. The lyrics put American Idiot to shame, but American Idiot still takes the cake in the way of moving tunes. All in all, one of the best albums I have ever heard!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
I was disappointed with this work because the initial reviews I read said it's as good as American Idiot. It's not even close. There are maybe one or two tracks with hit potential but the rest is just average stuff.
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Editorial Reviews
All Music Guide - Stephen Thomas Erlewine
American Idiot was a rarity of the 21st century: a bona fide four-quadrant hit, earning critical and commercial respect, roping in new fans young and old alike. It was so big it turned Green Day into something it had never been before -- respected, serious rockers, something they were never considered during their first flight of success with Dookie. Back then, they were clearly (and proudly) slacker rebels with a natural gift for a pop hook, but American Idiot was a big album with big ideas, a political rock opera in an era devoid of both protest rock and wild ambition, so its success was a surprise. It also ratcheted up high expectations for its successor, and...