Fan Review of 21st Century Album through the Oakland Shows

Rob Spectre was lucky enough to go to the 2 small Green Day shows in Oakland and he reviews the album based on these last 2 live performances. Green Day, as Rob describes them “the most important band in the post-Bush free world” played in their home town and played their entire album live for their loyal and local fan base.

Rob feels that the first 2 acts of the album are somewhat week, as described below:

The record’s self-titled overture falls far short of “American Idiot” in capturing the essence of what follows and the first single “Know Your Enemy” sounds derivative and gives 21st Century Breakdown a flat start. “¡Viva La Gloria!” and “Before the Lobotomy” are possible catalogue classics with the final two tracks in Act I saving Heroes and Cons from a failed close. Act II – Charlatans and Saints – is hampered by the weight of its ballads, suffering as the product of a likely patchwork songwriting process.

…but thinks that they bring redemption with the final act, Horseshoes and Handgrenades as he so elocuently states:

[...]the twenty minute final act of the new record. “21 Guns” and both sections of “American Eulogy” flow like the finest moments of American Idiot and are sure to be every bit as essential as “Jesus of Suburbia.” The latter’s anthem – “I don’t want to live in the modern world” – is a stirring and satisfying climax.

Head over to DreamNotOfToday to read his conclusion about 21st Century Breakdown and experience his unique writing style.

[Picture Credit - Mette Hedin]

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