OK, we posted four separate reviews of Bob Dylan's new release, Together Through Life, on this site and just three reviews of Green Day's new CD 21st Century Breakdown... So let's make up for it by looking at some of the best sourced comments on the new album...
Here we go, you should know the tune.
Jim Harrington, San Jose Mercury News
It could take months, maybe years, to know if the band's latest rock-opera can match, or surpass, the success of its Grammy-winning, multi-platinum predecessor, American Idiot (2004), regarded as one of the decade's most important albums.
One hearing of 21st Century Breakdown, however, is all it takes to discover that Green Day has an excellent chance of equaling its earlier work. And more listens, to absorb the 18-track story line, make clear the disc is arguably more impressive than American Idiot.
Uppermost is the quality of the musicianship... Green Day has never sounded better... Armstrong could be the voice of his generation, creating just the right balance between tuneful anguish and comic relief. The Oakland native's biting guitar work is matched blow-for-blow by Dirnt and especially Cook, who is nothing short of explosive.
The story line is just as compelling as American Idiot but more finely crafted.
Dan DeLuca, The Philadelphia Inquirer
What American Idiot first suggested, 21st Century Breakdown confirms: Billie Joe Armstrong is the Pete Townshend of the first decade of the new millennium.
21st Century broadens the musical palette of the band - Like Who? Exactly.
For its ambition, 21st Century Breakdown is a tightly disciplined work that stretches itself while keeping each song sharp and punchy. Plus, the album rocks out with relentless momentum, and is chock-full of grabby, radio-ready pop songs universal enough to stand on their own...
I've been trying to think of American rock bands who command a massive audience, have something to say, and continue to top themselves a decade and a half after making themselves known to the mainstream, and can only come up with one: Green Day.
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times Pop & Hiss blog
Green Day arguably sounds more potent than ever.
all music
21st Century Breakdown leaves behind the 60s Who fascination for Queen and 70s Who, giving this more than its share of pomp and circumstance.
The band manages to have 21st Century Breakdown work on a grand scale without losing either their punk or pop roots, which makes the album not only a sequel to American Idiot, but its equal.
The Washington Post
21st Century Breakdown is an American Idiot sorta-sequel that's every bit as potent as the original.
Entertainment Weekly
Green Day remains remarkably good at high-blast anthems that burrow directly into the pogo-ing lizard brain id.
Note: To read the complete album review by Jim Harrington of the San Jose Mercury News, go to http://twitter.com/troybear07 and see the link posted on May 18, 2009 at 6:21 p.m.
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