Gloria, where are you Gloria?
21st Century Breakdown is the eighth studio album by punk rock band Green Day, and my favorite to date. From the start, Billie Joe Armstrong takes us on a journey, brilliantly conveying frustration and anger with the state of the country today. In "21 Guns," we face defeat. We are told to face the reality of our lives and lay down our arms, to give up the fight. In "21st Century Breakdown," the album's title song, the resignation of "21 Guns" is contrasted with anger, as Armstrong opens up the wounds of a generation led astray by its predecessor. He proudly shouts that we are the workers of America, reminding all who listen that while we have felt defeat, we are still the lifeblood of this nation. We're slowly coming to the realization that this sad state of affairs the country is in is not our fault, and, frankly, we are pissed. Don't believe all you hear from our heroes and con men.
The album speaks of a generation mourning the loss of a fantasy. The kingdom we were brought up to love, the flag we salute, doesn't seem to represent all that we had believed in any more. In "American Eulogy," we hit mass hysteria. The media-perpetuated truths have mislead the masses and confusion has set in. This track is all about finding a voice in the dull roar that is our nation. Screaming loud enough so that the eyes of the youth are opened and the voices of the media and our politicians are silenced, questioned, and rightfully so. Disgust and contempt oozes only to be brought to a solemn note by the piano opening of one of the best tracks on the album, "Viva La Gloria." In this track, we meet for the first time Gloria, of whom the album is partially about. The album loosely follows a young couple named Christian and Gloria. Set in Detroit and following the presidency of George W. Bush, the album hopes to capture the troubles of dealing with the mess our 43rd President left behind. Armstrong, who wrote the album almost completely by himself (even going so far as to keep the words from his bandmates until late 2008), begs Gloria to not lose the light she holds inside, to not lose hope. In the next song, "Before The Lobotomy", we meet Christian. The sadness and anger come through with a vengeance. Dealing with it with whiskey shots and cheap cigarettes, broken dreams and shattered hearts, Christian shares Gloria's sadness, but his sadness is re-enforced by anger, as shown in "Christian's Inferno." In "Before the Lobotomy," "Christian's Inferno," and "Peacemaker," Armstrong sings almost in the first person. The personality of this album, and its intrinsic meaning to Armstrong, shines in these three songs.
The cynicism and disbelief in change is showcased in "East Jesus Nowhere." Distaste in the blind faith in God to make things right and disgust in the way the religious movement has impacted this generation with it's rules and judgements comes out like a crowd shouting upon a building, almost as if he is firing a warning shot. A revolution is coming and there's nothing you can do about it. In "Horseshoes And Handgrenades," put simply and in his own words "I'm not fucking around," the punk influence finally finds its voice. Up to this point, with the exception of "East Jesus Nowhere," most of the songs have shown strong influence in classic rock. The punk influence and the band's roots cannot be missed, here however. With authority, Armstrong screams, "He's gonna drink, fight and fuck, and theres nothing you can do about it."
In "Know Your Enemy," the band begs to ask the question - do you really know who your enemy is? The album is in full revolution mode at this point and it's only track three. While the song is powerful, it takes watching the video to really have the point driven home. Standing there in Washington DC with fire blazing on the edges of the stage, you see the glow of Washington over the band's shoulders, daring you to ask the question, "Who are these people, and what exactly are they doing to my country? What are they doing to me?"
That is the theme really, anger and disgust, rise up and fight, and it doesn't break from it. Armstrong captures the feelings of a nation by echoing his own frustrations, and once he grabs you by the lapels, he doesn't let go, not for a second. As the album wears on, the anger doesn't fade. Down to the last song, "See The Light," we are reminded that we have all been taken, so to speak. However, it's not too late to retake our country; all we have to do is get out there and let our voices be heard. We have to fight. This album is about figuring out that we don't have to accept it anymore and, frankly, I think we need to listen.
Do you know what's worth fighting for? When it's not worth dying for? Does it take your breath away and you feel yourself suffocating? Does the pain outweigh the pride? And you look for a place to hide? Did someone break your heart inside...
You're in ruins.
Rating: 10/10
