ound: This is Green Day's best album ever. I was skeptical, but this far out does Dookie. It takes the essence of American Idiot, and takes it what you would imagine for they're tenth album. It is hard hitting, alt-punk.
This album is about a couple ,(Christian and Gloria), and them dealing with the mess of the 21st Century. There are 18 songs, and 2 bonus tracks on the iTunes deluxe edition.
Billie Joe uses a lot more piano than ever, and it works amazingly. Heavy guitars, really good use of orchestra, and really good singing. My favourite songs would have to be Viva La Gloria!, Before the Lobotomy, The Static Age, American Eulogy, and Murder City. All the songs are amazing, but these are the best IMO. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: Some of my favourite lyrics ever. Not straight foward and borign, not confusing metaphors, but straight foward and awesome. They really outdid themselves in this department. They match the music perfectly. In this album Billie Joe sings the best he ever has, and as well as a few well placed screamos.
These are great to sing along to, as well as pretend to play the drums at the same time.
Okay. This band has meant a TON to me for years, and after having seen them three times - Brixton, Milton Keynes and the exclusive Top of the Pops gig - I was already convinced they are the best band in the world.
BUT
In this past week, not only did I get to meet all three of them (on the pavement outside the BBC studios in Maida Vale), I also got to see them in a tiny venue in Paris last night. They did the new stuff (ten tracks) then 7 oldies but goldies. In the street, they spent about a quarter of an hour signing, posing and chatting, and I was totally blown away by how down to earth and approachable they were. I thought I would melt into a pile of drool, but they made me feel like I was talking to old friends, not mega-super-ultra stars. On stage last night they were polished to perfection - it sounded like they had performed this stuff FOREVER and it was utter magic.
The new album is incredible. The words and the melodies haunt me - I am trying so hard not to overplay it but it draws me in like a magnet. I didn't think they could ever top Nimrod for versatility, but this album shows off their magnificent inventiveness and variety.
Okay, so this might run long, but I'm gonna put down my first experience listening to this album.
I downloaded it at my sisters house last Friday night. I wasn't in the best state of mind at the time, even though spending time with my family was nice. My mom was in the hospital, though, and they didn't know what was wrong with her. I was tied in a knot.
I put it in the car, turned it up obscenely loud, and drove around for a little while. It was about 1:30 in the morning and I was looking for things to do to kill time. I washed the car, I got food, I drove around, and just listened. When 21CB came on, I got chills up and down both of my arms. Then the rest of the cd happened. It wasn't that I wasn't impressed, because I was in a way. My heart felt so heavy, and while they did lift it as they always have, it was new and different and it didn't excite me like I had hoped it would. I got to track 11 before I finally admitted defeat and had to go home lol
But the next day was a horse of a different color.
I went to get my mom, and on the way, I cranked it up again obscenely loud, pulled my hair back, rolled the windows down, and enjoyed the beautiful Green Day. Sunshine and kick ass music. I fell in love. And I have continued to fall in love ever since. I am overwhelmingly proud of these guys, this music is shiny and professional and beautiful. It pisses me off when I read negative reviews from anyone, because that means they just don't get it. They don't feel it. That probably shouldn't anger me, it should make me pity them for not being able to extract even a modicum of joy from this album by a band that has filled my life with it. So I don't read them anymore laugh.gif I love this album. So far that's the only memory I have made with it, because most of my friends live in other places. But I have been text messaging lyrics to Amanda and Beth almost every day, back and forth, and I find that fun. I'm learning it and discovering it as I have every other GD album over the past 15 years. It's a little adventure. They're responsible for so much, I hope I get the opportunity to thank all three of them one day. I love them. No one around me understands that. Doesn't matter, it doesn't change a thing. I might not be 'sentimental' over it like I am the others, but it will come. And I say this is one of, if not THE, best albums of their career.
Okay, I'm done rambling for now lol
KMC Community Forums
May 15th, 2009 12:01 PM
