Green Day - "21st Century Breakdown" Review

Green Day's May 15th release, "21st Century Breakdown," boasts 18 tracks that I have been waiting for about 5 years. It's about time! I guess Green Day tried to make up for lost time with an album that is almost like two cd's in one. My only complaint about having so many songs is that for every great song, there is an equally not-so-great song. Green Day should have nixed a few fillers to make a more solid release (*cough* Christians Inferno and Last Night On Earth *cough*). But those are the few exceptions. The whole cd is familiar yet entirely new in sound. There is a lot of variety and some experimentation but not too much to scare away hardcore fans. The title track should please all who love Green Day rock anthems. Others like !Viva la Gloria! and Peacemaker are a bit different but extremely catchy and addictive. All in all, the lyrics are great, instrumentals are solid and varied, and vocals are spot on. "21st Century Breakdown" is definitely not a carbon copy of "American Idiot" but that is a good think in my opinion. The band has given fans an album that is undeniably Green Day but has demonstrated their growth and depth of creative musical ability. Conclusion: I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Get this cd!

Tracklist with my notes and star ratings:

1. Song of the Century
Just a 57 second intro that could have been left off to start the cd off
strong with "21st Century Breakdown"
2. 21st Century Breakdown
One of the best tracks! It is a catchy rock anthem with a few change-ups
throughout which keeps the energy going. It is unique yet familiar. A bit
reminiscent of Queen as well. 4.5 stars 
3. Know Your Enemy
A classic sounding Green Day song with a slightly repetitive chorus. It
is extremely catchy with a good melody but I swear I have heard GD sing
a song that sounded just like this! 3.5 stars  
4. ¡Viva La Gloria!
Begins as a piano ballad and switches to uptempo rock. It's very different
from their normal sound but I loved it once it got going, although it was
somewhat repetitive. 4 stars
5. Before The Lobotomy
This a slow guitar ballad that's rather sappy in the beginning but picks up
later on. Strange lyrics. 3 stars
6. Christians Inferno
Has a highly annoying repetitive chorus (ie the title) followed by creepy
laughter. I don't like it. Green Day should have left this one as a B-side. 
2 stars 
7. Last Night On Earth
Boring piano ballad, sappy shallow love song; horrible lyrics. 1 star
8. East Jesus Nowhere
Another classic Green Day sounding song with some, let's call them "unique"
lyrics. Nice guitar. 3.5 stars 
9. Peacemaker
Has a western-like sound; very different from the norm. It gets pretty
catchy and grows on you. 3 stars
10. Last Of The American Girls
Basically, a song about a girl. She this, she that. Gets old fast. 2.5 stars
11. Murder City
One of my favorites! Great beat, instrumentation, energy. 4.5 stars
12. ¿Viva La Gloria? (Little Girl)
Sort of a continuation of !Viva La Gloria! but way different. Has a
strange but fitting tune. 3 stars
13. Restless Heart Syndrome
Slowish, nice lyrics, great vocals. Not typical Green Day but beautiful!
4.5 stars
14. Horseshoes And Handgrenades
I knew I would like this track when the 1st line was "I'm not F-ing around!"
An energetic rocker! 4 stars
15. The Static Age
Just an ok song, a bit repetitive, kinda hokey lyrics "hey hey it's the static
age!" 3 stars
16. 21 Guns
Slow one. Nice melody, emotion, and lyrics. Very spiritual. Nothing amazing
though. 3.5 stars 
17. American Eulogy (Mass Hysteria/Modern World)
Includes the intro from the cd. Catchy tune, nice mid-breakdown and
instrumentation. 3.5 stars
18. See The Light
Nothing too special, kind of repetitive but ok. Has a classic rock sound.
3.5 stars