Note to Billy Joe: if you’re going to write a political album, make sure there’s an appropriate political environment. If you don’t, you may end up making “21st Century Breakdown.” It portrays America as a country of disillusioned cynics railing against censorship, corruption and manipulation.
Sound familiar? It’s what the band told us about their 2004 anti-Bush album American Idiot. The difference? Back then, we were disillusioned cynics railing against censorship, corruption and manipulation. Remember, in 2004 it was the top of the fourth inning in Bush’s eight-year ballgame. Now, we are the most hopeful we have been in generations. Not even a near economic depression nor a foreign war on two fronts can rain out our game. Green Day's storm clouds don’t reflect that hopefulness we expect for a band touted as the anthem writers of change. The album’s point of view is more infuriating when contrasted to how brilliant the songs are– hefty melodies, an emotional range in Billy Joe’s voice that challenge the riffs to crest in Who-like proportions.
Had the album come out before the 2008 election it might have found ears hungry to hears it’s rebellious message. Maybe years from now the world will sync up with its pessimistic landscape. Either way, the music will stand on its own regardless of the propaganda.
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