Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown

Calling Christian and Gloria

How do you follow up what’s hands down the best album of your career? Where do you go after telling the stories of St. Jimmy and Jesus of Suburbia? American Idiot is perhaps one of the best albums of the last decades; perhaps even of the century. Keep in mind we’re only 9 years into the new century.

21st Century Breakdown, Green Day’s latest album, follows the same concept format of American Idiot. However, this new album stands on its own as it tells a complete different story. This time they tell us the story of Christian and Gloria. A poignant critique of government, war, society and religion. Far removed from the irreverent and childish jokes in Dookie and Nimrod, but just as entertaining to listen to as their great songs of the past. Many of the songs still carry the trademark Green Day sound, while some venture into new territory.

The album is divided into 3 acts: Heroes and Cons, Charlatans and Saints and Horseshoes and Handgrenades. The story being told this time follows the life of Christian and Gloria after the presidency of George W. Bush and the mess he left behind. Christian is a self-destructive, self-absorbed and impulsive kid, while Gloria is more of the activist and political type. They are forced to take care of themselves after everyone else they’ve trusted has turned their backs on them.

The music that accompany the story is fairly trademark Green Day, expect the songs where they adopt a more grown-up Pop-Rock and Arena-Rock sound. Experimenting comes natural and doesn’t seem forced. On the contrary, the music flows and blends with the story perfectly. When I listen to this album I play it from beginning to end without the need to skip any of the songs. I can’t say the same things for many other artists, or even some previous Green Day productions.

For me, this was the most anticipated release this year and I have to say that it lived to the expectation. This, without any doubt, is the best album released this year. Buy it and judge for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.

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