Green Day, go back to the 20th Century
Monday, May 18, 2009
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Green Day is one of those bands. You know the type. They are the kind of band that everyone likes their old stuff, and then there are mixed feelings about the new stuff. I will admit that Green Day was in the unlistenable category for their last album “American Idiot” from all the way back in 2004. I had written them off, and after the absence I thought maybe they had decided to just do some touring for the next 15 years. Make a reunion CD, and then fail like the numerous other bands that have followed that path. Unfortunately, my hatred will have to wait for the next Guns ‘n Roses album to be released. I am certainly not in love with the entire play list, but I won’t be deleting the 18 tracks (17 songs) from my computer and throwing out the disc.
For those of you who don’t know Green Day’s history, it’s pretty basic. Small band has lots of good local fans, small band gets discovered, small band signs big deal, small band becomes big band and all the local fans and their friends turn on them for making money for what they like to do, and the controversy hasn’t stopped. Many bands share distaste for Green Day, like John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) of the Sex Pistols and Brandon Flowers of The Killers.
The progression of the album is interesting in that it is built into three acts, the first being Heroes and Cons, followed by Charlatans and Saints, and finally Horseshoes and Hand Grenades. The music is reminiscent of the “older” Green Day. Specifically my favorite track number 12, “¿Viva la Gloria? [Little Girl].” My least favorite track is, unfortunately, probably the one that will see the most radio airtime: “21st Century Breakdown,” the title track. My hatred for this song almost takes the entire album down. My reasons for the distaste are much the same for why I hated the last album so much. Reminiscing on the hate actually taints my thoughts on the entire album; it feels like the sole reason for putting out music is to corrupt our middle-schoolers’ minds.
Now, if you disagree with me on the quality of the last album, this one will most likely blow your mind. I enjoyed about a third of the tracks, which isn’t bad.
Total rating is, it’s listenable, but only in a playlist of more music.
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