Alright.... This was by far my most anticipated album this year simply for the fact that American Idiot is my favorite album of all-time. Green Day has been quoted saying that "21st Century Breakdown is our best album". Hopefully the journey of Christian and Gloria through modern society turns out to be everything I've hoped for. So here is my two cents...

Act 1: Heroes and Cons

Song of the Century - Different opener, I expected them to come out with a bang but I had a feeling there would be some kind of strange twist. The static and melody sorta bring some 70's influence back. Very cool though. 8/10

21st Century Breakdown - This brings me back to American Idiot in an instant. Chugging guitars and tempo changes throughout the track. This is the "true" opener and it doesn't dissapoint. 9/10

Know Your Enemy - Somewhat catchy and a good pick for the first single because it honestly has that "American Idiot" feel. This won't be my favorite on the album though. 7/10

Viva La Gloria! - Piano at the beginning what!?!?! Just as soon as you think it's a ballad, it turns around and kicks into high gear. This one is extremely catchy. Solid. 8/10

Before The Labotomy - I've heard this one for the past couple days because of that radio thing they did. This song has a very melodic intro before coming into the heaviest part of the album thus far. Not to mention, the harmonies mixed in. The ending is great too because it incorporates the melodic intro with the heavy guitars and drums. My favorite track thus far! 9/10

Christian's Inferno - Weird intro with Billy Joe making kind of a statement. It kicks into some classic Green Day though. This one is a rocker all around with Billy screaming "Christian's inferno!". This is a little darker than most Green Day songs though. A pretty good ending on top of it. 8/10

Last Night on Earth - I was very interested in this one after hearing the live recordings. It's definently a ballad and I heard it was compared to "Wake Me Up When September Ends". It has an old school ballad feel. Melodies and harmonies that make me think of the 70's and 60's for some reason. This has been my least favorite thus far. 6/10


Act 2: Charlatans and Saints

East Jesus Nowhere - Great intro that kicks into a slower pounding beat. Really heavy! The chorus is extremely catchy as well. This will be a favorite for most people I think. 8/10

Peacemaker - A driving acoustic guitar with speedy drums. Almost has an irish feel to it. I keep waiting for it to really kick into some heavy electric guitars and it just doesn't. The chorus has some orchestra that makes it sound cool. There's also a mini guitar solo that sorta leads back to the build of the chorus again. From what I read, I was expecting some real heaviness and it wasn't quite there. It's solid though. 8/10

Last of the American Girls - This is going to be extremely catchy. It sounds a little bit like Warning. From what it sounds like, this could be single material. A few Beach Boy harmonies thrown in near the end. I'm alright with this one. 7/10

Murder City - There's a cool continuation from the previous song. This track is catchy as well. Great melody that brings back subtle memories of "Letterbomb". The chorus is extremely catchy as well. This will be one of my favorites I'm sure. 9/10

?Viva La Gloria? - Alright, this brings back memories of "Mama" or "Blood" from My Chemical Romance's "The Black Parade" album. This is somewhat dark with some weird chugging acoustic guitars and 60's/70's surfer vibes. The chorus is pretty solid though and the mini guitar solo helps add substance. The ending is the best part though. I'm not really sure about this one. It's going to have to grow. 6/10

Restless Heart Syndrome - Another piano intro that fits really well and the orchestration is solid. I really love later in the song when it kicks into some great harmonies and some parts that bring back memories of "Boulevard". The ending is great though. 8/10

Act 3: Horseshoes and Handgrenades

Horseshoes and Handgrenades - This is a pretty solid rocker and the explicit language is more noticed in this track than any other really. There's a pretty cool scream in the middle of the track that's pretty interesting. I think the lyric "I'm not ****ing around!" is going to picked up pretty quickly by everyone. Good track! 8/10

The Static Age - I was really excited to hear this one. A pretty cool intro and an extremely catchy chorus that really sit well. I am really digging this track. The last part of the song goes up an entire octave that really makes it more of an anthem. Great song, love it! 9/10

21 Guns - This song is fantastic. Brings back memories of "Boulevard" with the intro. The lyrics are fantastic and the chorus really isn't what you'd expect. This song is a slow anthem that I think people are going to love hearing live. This one is also very single worthy. I really expect it to be one. Everything about it leaves chills. I think it's the best on the album really. 10/10

American Eulogy - This one is split into two parts. The intro comes back to "Song of the Century" before kicking into a crazy catchy chorus. It's sort of a throwback to "Jesus of Suburbia" with the whole transition from "Mass Hysteria" to "Modern World", the two parts. Pretty solid. 8/10

See The Light - Brings back the intro from "21st Century Breakdown" which sounds really cool. I can tell you, the album ends on a high note though because this song is a catchy Green Day anthem. Some great guitar work and mini solos really solidify this track as being a closer. I love how it closes with those same notes from the intro to this and "21st Century Breakdown" Fantastic. 9/10


Act 1 - 8/10
Act 2 - 8/10
Act 3 - 9/10

Overall - 8/10


My expectations very so high after American Idiot that listening to this with those high expectations kinda ruined it for me. The question is... Is it better than American Idiot?? I honestly can't say that it is. It's more layered and dynamic, but I'm missing more of the core Green Day that made me love this band so much. Don't get me wrong, this album is fantastic, but it's probably a step behind American Idiot in my opinion. I hope to change that with more listens but we'll see. Act 3 was definently my favorite and 21 Guns, Murder City, Before The Labotomy, See The Light, Static Age, and 21st Century Breakdown are my favorites thus far. Hope you guys enjoy it, let me know what you think!


Oh, and here's the link to listen!

http://www.wmuk-apache.co.uk/greenday/player.swf

Ryan