Green Day's new album 21st Century Breakdown is a three part concept album supposedly even more haughty than the last one. This means it's either going to be really fantastic or grandiose rock and roll gasbaggery. The first single, 'Know Your Enemy', thankfully pushes the odds toward the former.
The album follows a young couple through their trials in the modern world through three parts: "Heroes and Cons," "Charlatans and Saints," and "Horseshoes and Handgrenades." Like Zen Arcade if the protagonist had a girlfriend? And cost more that $3200 to record? Maybe.
It's Green Day's first with producer Butch Vig, who helmed little albums like Nirvana's Nevermind and Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream, as well as lesser known gems like Freedy Johnston's This Perfect World and L7's Bricks are Heavy. There's no discernable grunge stamp on 'Know Your Enemy' that I can hear, but Breakdown will most certainly go beyond Green Day's traditional format on display here.
21st Century Breakdown comes out May 15th.
Note: Sorry about the ad. WB kills all YouTubes.
