21st Century Breakdown - Green Day

For me, turning 17 was sound tracked by one seminal album, American Idiot by Green Day simply down to its pure energy and youthful quality coinciding with my exploration into true adult society. So, when Green Day brought out the follow up album, 21st Century Breakdown earlier this year, I was reluctant to listen through the fear of re-igniting said energy from happier times into the bleak, post- graduate sludge. How foolish I was! 21st Century Breakdown represents an evolution from their previous album in terms of maturity and experience. Don't get me wrong, the trademark Green Day traits are present and correct, once again set to the backdrop of a 'rock opera' soundtrack depicting the angst and frustration of a changing America. However, subtle differences appear as the band behave in a more intimate and tender manner, seen most notably in 'Last Night On Earth', '21 Guns' and 'Restless Heart Syndrome', which in turn drenches the album in depth and weight. Hardcore fans of the band will enjoy instant anthems 'Know Your Enemy', 'Murder City', 'Christians Inferno' and relatively gentle 'Last Of The American Girls', as well as quirky yet beautifully snarling gems such as 'Peacemaker' and '?Viva La Gloria? (Little Girl)'. The production, by the band and Butch Vig, must also be acknowledged here as once again the collection of standout tracks often fuse together seamlessly, enhancing the rolling narrative, and also the agitated tone to the album. The only apparent fault with this release is the way in which all the tracks sound oddly familiar and catchy, as if the music has been written before. This may be down to the extremely commercial nature of the bands recent work as with American Idiot previously, but it may also be the very fact that these songs and stories were always meant to be told, and have finally seen the light. So, whilst the modern world crashes and burns around us, as the title suggests, rest assured that there will always be subtle reminders of the good times and songs of hope from prophets such as Green Day!