Review of Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown
The Symbolic Nature of Christian and Gloria
Jul 4, 2009
Green Day has come a long way since its original introduction into the pop/rock/punk world. Its earlier albums such as 1994's Dookie were more playful and sometimes silly, but managed to deal with some deeper themes. The earlier albums also contained typical stand alone songs. Then came 2005’s American Idiot, which was a punk opera that told a complex story with political and moral undertones.
The band's newest endeavor, 21st Century Breakdown, manages to combine the best of both of these concepts: it follows a sort of vague story, but each character represents some sort of archetypal concept. Each song stands alone or can be viewed through the lens of another song to expand upon its meaning.
Act I: Heroes and Cons
The album starts with a slew of songs that both introduce and comment on the current state of confusion on both a large scale and individual level, and also introduce the main characters. Christian is a rabid revolutionary ready to implement violent action if necessary. He falls for Gloria, and more pacifist and idealistic version of Christian. It is also important to note the obvious religious connotations of the names as well. Being a typical pop/punk album, the theme tends to be quite dark throughout.
The album starts with the introductory “Song of the Century,” followed by the catchy commentary of “21st Century Breakdown.” “Know Your Enemy” is a heavier call for action, and “¡Viva la Gloria!” is a ballad gently showing the conflicting views between the main characters, while also showing the blinding power of faith.
The highlight of this act is “Before the Lobotomy,” a slower song dealing with the loss of self and modern “conditioning,” and is followed by the angrily retaliatory “Christian’s Inferno,” and the ballad “Last Night on Earth,” which is reminiscent of a 50s era love song.
Act II: Charlatans and Saints
This act starts with a more intense rock song “East Jesus Nowhere” that is a call to violent action against hypocrisy, and is followed by the ironic and fast paced “Peacemaker,” and then “Last of the American Girls,” a sobering look at the beauty and tragedy of modern youth.
“Murder City” and “¿Viva La Gloria? (Little Girl)” show the disillusionment of Christian and Gloria and the breakdown of the ideals that they represent. The concluding song of this section is the slower “Restless Heart Syndrome,” which is reminiscent of American Idiot’s “Give Me Novocain,” both of which deal with the use of substances to dull the pain of dealing with the troubles of life.
Act III: Horseshoes and Handgrenades
The intro to this act, “Horseshoes and Handgrenades” is probably the hardest and angriest song on the album. The album then takes a slower and more pop turn with “The Static Age,” which reflects on the numbness of the modern information overload, and “21 Guns,” a sobering reflection of the price of overzealous idealism.
The album’s climax comes in the form of the two part “American Eulogy,” which builds up into a chaotic hysteria denouncing the deteriorating condition of modern life.
The post-climatic “See the Light” leaves the album on a hopeful note, giving strength to the idea that there is still the possibility of salvation, even if the world seems out of control.
Idealism and Cynicism
Overall, the album has showed more evolution on Green Day’s part. The band has managed to perfect the ideas introduced in American Idiot. Each song reinforces or expands upon the concepts introduced in the others.
Although still retaining the idealism of youth, Green Day manages to incorporate the cynicism that comes with getting older. The end result is a both immature and sobering look at life and modern society. Each song manages to invoke distinct ideas and feelings.
This band is one that has managed to break out of the mold and explore and try new things with great success. It will be interesting to see what they will come up with next.
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