It was April 16 2009. I got up early and rushed to the office just so I could listen to the first single Green Day has released in many years, “Know Your Enemy”. For many years, I have been looking forward to hearing the new album Green Day was going to produce, all because Green Day had such an impact on my life. My love affair with music started because of the hit song from Green Day, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”. I was only a teen then, and I remember I was on the verge of failing every single subject I was taking at school. Armstrong’s voice in that particular song conveyed remorse and regret to me, and it was something I could relate to. I regret not taking my studies seriously and when I heard the song, I was instantly hooked. It made me feel something I could not feel from music in the past.

Many years down the road, I became a big Green Day fan. I have every single one of their albums, and I could never get tired of listening to their songs. When I heard “Know Your Enemy”, I suddenly felt as though I was a teen again. I remember all those painful nights where I had to study late into the night, with only Green Day’s music for companionship. The wait is finally over.

On 15 May, I bought the album, 21st Century Breakdown. I was extremely careful not to listen to any of the online spoilers posted on the numerous Green Day fan sites prior to the album release. Below is my honest opinion about the album.

1) 21st Century Breakdown

When I heard the introduction to the song initially, I was a little fearful. “What’s this slow strumming guitar doing in a Green Day album?” When the main part of the song kicked in around 30 secs, I was instantly relieved of any apprehension. This sounds like the Green Day I know. On came the electric guitar and the energetic drum beats. “My generation is zero, I never made it as a working class hero” crooned Armstrong. The tempo then gets faster towards the middle of the song to a your typical punk rock sound. The song then transform into a very impressive and soulful outro around 4:15. This is my favourite part of the song. “Oh dream, American Dream” made me feel the same way I feel when I was listening to American Idiot for the first time from their previous album.

2) Know Your Enemy

Know Your Enemy is your typical upbeat sounding kind of Green Day music. I remember watching them perform this live on The Daily Show hosted by Jon Stewart. The kind of energy it brings to the listener is amazing. Your typical feel-good kind of song.

3) Viva La Gloria

This song is one of those songs where I can’t seem to appreciate. The use of piano and the violin, seems so out of place for a Green Day kind of Song. The more upbeat 2nd half of the song does manage to salvage the situation a little, but it’s a largely forgettable song to me.

4) Before the Lobotomy

This song is one of the lows in the song. It reminds me alot of a ballad, and the only time Green Day has done an awesome ballad is when they played Good Riddance (Time of Your Life). Another forgettable song.

5) Christian’s Inferno

Finally, back to the punk rock sounds are we? This song reminded me alot of Green Day’s earlier works, especially the Dookie era. Should be one of those songs that you jump to at their live concerts.

6) Last Night on Earth

Another ballad-sounding track. Not much comments except that if you’re into Green Day’s previous works, you probably won’t like this much.

7) East Jesus Nowhere

If this song had a brother, it would be Holiday from American Idiot. Easily the best track to lift your spirits in this album. There are so much awesome parts to this song. The upbeat riffs, the transition into a phase where only drums are heard in the background together with Armstrong’s voice. Then it goes back to the upbeat phase and lastly it reaches my favourite part, the guitar solo at 3:19. Although short, it has done it’s part by lifting my spirits along with the roaring guitar.

Peacemaker

What’s this? A latino sounding track? Go figure.

9) Last of American Girls

Typical feel good punk rock song which can totally fit into the soundtrack of a future American Pie movie. Once again reminds me of their older work before American Idiot, where they sang about things that were trivial, unlike American Idiot. How important can a song about a girl be? Nevertheless, pretty nice song to drive along to.

10) Murder Cool

Pretty catchy rhythm, but in my opinion nothing too memorable about the lyrics.

11) Viva La Gloria (Little Girl)

The second part of Viva La Gloria, once again, not to my liking. However, I am sure the band had tons of fun producing this track when they were recording. It’s really different from the kind of song they usually play. Somehow the intro reminded me of “Blood” from My Chemical Romance.

12) Restless Heart Syndrome

Piano? Ballad? Another attempt at Time of Your Life that failed. Next.

13) Horseshoes and Handgrenades

Holiday #2 in the album. Sorta similar to the style of “The Offsprings” , a very loud spirit-lifting kind of song.

14) Static Age

The next song is so awesome that it makes this song looks negligible.

15) 21 Guns

When I first heart this song I literally teared. I did not know why, I was not suffering from depression nor was I unhappy or upset that day. Perhaps, this song was what made the years of wait all worthwhile. Armstrong always sounded very soulful when he played Time of Your Life, a single that established him as a good vocalist. When he started singing this song, you knew it was going to be something special. The words came out of his mouth full of hurt and agony. “1, 21 guns” Armstrong sings in falsetto, and I went “wow”. Halfway through the song, I realised this song was very therapeutic to those who are feeling down and out, because afterall it’s a song that tells you to accept reality and deal with it. Sort of a message to stop fighting and denying reality. “Did you try to live on your own When you burned down the house and home? Did you stand too close to the fire? Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone?” Billie Joe sang with slightly more angst starting 2:50 which is essentially the BEST part of this album. And after those 4 lines end, a lengthy and great guitar solo kicks in.

16) American Eulogy

American Eulogy will be one of the songs that will be a hit during a live concert, and the crowd will surely will have a good time yelling “I don’t want to live in a modern world, I don’t want to live in a modern world”

17) See the Light

More piano at the start? Bad way to end the album.

All in all, was it worth the wait? If they had not produced the song 21 Guns, I would say no, and would slip into depression for a week. However, to be fair, American Idiot was a really hard album to compare with, because it was such an incredible album. I think 21st Century Breakdown was nowhere, near American Idiot, but it is still good music to any Green Day fan. If you are more of a mainstream music kind of person, perhaps only 21 guns would appeal to you.

The part is, ever since I was a little boy, I wanted to watch Green Day perform live. Watching Bulletern world”

17) See the Light

More piano at the start? Bad way to end the album.

All in all, was it worth the wait? If they had not produced the song 21 Guns, I would say no, and would slip into depression for a week. However, to be fair, American Idiot was a really hard album to compare with, because it was such an incredible album. I think 21st Century Breakdown was nowhere, near American Idiot, but it is still good music to any Green Day fan. If you are more of a mainstream music kind of person, perhaps only 21 guns would appeal to you.

The best part is, ever since I was a little boy, I wanted to watch Green Day perform live. Watching Bullet in a Bible made me realised I would pay whatever the price is for a ticket to a live Green Day Show. And finally I got my wish. Next year on 14 Jan 2010, I finally get to watch my childhood heroes play LIVE.

I am pretty sure I am going to have the Time of My Life.