Green Day found their way into the hearts and minds of America’s youth in the mid-90s with the release of the band’s third album, Dookie. It is hard to believe that 15 years have come and gone so quickly since the release of that landmark album. It is even harder to believe that the Northern California pop-punk trio responsible for that album, would have gone on to carve out such a niche for themselves, churn out a slew of monster hits and still continue to evolve musically.
The 2004 release of American Idiot blew the collective minds of music enthusiasts and the group’s fans alike. The album sold 12 million worldwide copies worldwide in an era where illegal downloading was at its peak and CD sales were plummeting. This was surely due to the fact that the band easily blended a radio-friendly sound with a powerful message that served as the voice for many who felt they had none in the era of the Bush Administration.
Green Day’s eighth studio album, 21st Century Breakdown, is set to rock its way into stores May 15, 2009. The new release is one of 2009’s most anticipated albums and it does not disappoint as the band continues to explore new musical ground. At its core, the album is an ambitious rock opera that tells the tale of two characters, Christian and Gloria, over the course of three soaring acts: “Heroes and Cons,” “Charlatans and Saints” and “Horseshoes and Handgrenades.” Balancing both light and dark moods, the album serves as a manifesto of sorts for a generation still trying to make a sense of wars abroad, recession at home and the hope for a brighter day in America.
On the album, the music surges effortlessly with the raging guitar, tight drumming and vocal harmonies that fans have come to expect from the trio. However, the band isn’t content to simply dish out another serving of the same old sounds. With the legendary Butch Vig (producer for such monster acts as Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage and Nirvana) along for the ride, the band introduces new elements, such as Beatles-esque strings, inviting piano work and even a glammed out guitar sound reminiscent of Queen’s Brian May. At no point on the album do any of these new elements from their ever-growing musical arsenal seem forced. Given this room to experiment and grow musically as they have on this album, one has to wonder what lies in store for future Green Day’s future works.
21st Century Breakdown is one of Green Day’s best albums to date and is proof that there is still much musical ground left for them to discover. Standout tracks include “East Jesus Nowhere”, “Restless Heart Syndrome”, “Know Your Enemy” and “American Eulogy.”
Curious to hear what Green Day has in store for you? Hear it for yourself! Stream the album here >
Check out the video for “Know Your Enemy” below:
The Tour Dates Are As Follows:
July 3 – Seattle, WA
July 4 – Vancouver, BC
July 6 – Edmonton, AB
July 7 – Saskatoon, SAS
July 9 – Winnipeg, MAN
July 10 – Fargo, ND
July 11 – Minneapolis, MN
July 13 – Chicago, IL
July 14 – Detroit, MI
July 16 – Hamilton, ONT
July 17 – Ottawa, ONT
July 18 – Montreal, QUE
July 20 – Boon, MA
July 21 – Philadelphia, PA
July 22 – Pittsburgh, PA
July 24 – Hartfo, CT
July 25 – Albany, NT
July 27 – New York, NY
July 29 – Washington, DC
July 31 – Nashville, TN
August 1 – Atlanta, GA
August 3 – Tampa, FL
August 4 – Miami, FL
August 5 – Orlando, FL
August 7 – New Orleans, LA
August 8 – Houston, TX
August 9 – San Antonio, TX
August 11 – . Louis, MO
August 12 – Kansas City, MO
August 13 – Omaha, NE
August 15 – Denver, CO
August 16 – Salt Lake City, UT
August 18 – San Jose, CA
August 20 – San Diego, CA
August 21 – Las Vegas, NV
August 22 – Phoenix, AX
August 24 – Sacramento, CA
August 25 – Los Angeles, CA
