21st Century Breakdown
by Green Day
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: May 15, 2009
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 391 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 323 out of 391
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 391
  3. Negative: 37 out of 391

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  1. flocko
    Jul 8, 2023
    10
    one of my favourite green day albums, its a bit long but I loved it enough for a 10
  2. ovenlord
    Jun 7, 2022
    9
    Definitely underrated, maybe not as good as American Idiot, but still provides good music and an entertaining experience
  3. lucas_alves24
    Aug 27, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Um dos álbuns essenciais pra se começar a ouvir a banda e criar um gosto favorável pela mesma. Foi o 1º álbum que ouvi da banda e me apaixonei por grande parte das músicas.
    A minha favorita é sem dúvidas Last Night On Earth, que além de harmoniosa é a música mais linda que a banda compôs desde Good Riddance(Time of Your Life) do álbum Nimrod.    … Expand
  4. Erowden48
    May 7, 2020
    9
    Amazing album. Almost as good as American idiot. Green Day’s rock opera great. One of my favorite albums of all time.
  5. drongodan
    Feb 11, 2020
    8
    Another epic rock opera. Disappointingly falls short of American Idiot. Nevertheless this is still a good album. Fave tracks: 21 Guns, Viva La Gloria! , The Static Age
  6. MompyMomo
    Feb 7, 2020
    9
    This is my favorite album of all time. The songs are really diverse as well.
  7. Chase_P
    Nov 25, 2019
    10
    This is, in my opinion, Green Day's best effort to date. Narrowly behind are American idiot and Dookie. Billie Joe Armstrong has taken the Rock opera he perfected with American Idiot and perfecting it again on a higher level. The storytelling is crisp and deeply entwined throughout this record. The production quality is exquisite. The melodies and lyricism hearken back to American Idiot.This is, in my opinion, Green Day's best effort to date. Narrowly behind are American idiot and Dookie. Billie Joe Armstrong has taken the Rock opera he perfected with American Idiot and perfecting it again on a higher level. The storytelling is crisp and deeply entwined throughout this record. The production quality is exquisite. The melodies and lyricism hearken back to American Idiot. The perfect blend of the already great three piece now has strings, pianos, and other accompanying instruments that were much more rare on their previous releases. They also stay true to themselves while delving into something new. This is a great album all around and deserves nothing less than a 10.… Expand
  8. SBells27Reviews
    Nov 15, 2019
    8
    While this doesn't top American Idiot, it's still a really solid album. Most of the album's songs are good, even if none top Jesus of Suburbia, Whatsername or American Idiot from AI. It also keeps the pace and the songs feel jointed overall. I guess my only problem is the story. In American Idiot, the story wasn't neccessarily perfect but you could tell how the story was presented. Here,While this doesn't top American Idiot, it's still a really solid album. Most of the album's songs are good, even if none top Jesus of Suburbia, Whatsername or American Idiot from AI. It also keeps the pace and the songs feel jointed overall. I guess my only problem is the story. In American Idiot, the story wasn't neccessarily perfect but you could tell how the story was presented. Here, not only the story is more complicated to understand, not much happens throughout the story. That said, this album is definitely a better listen without taking the story into consideration that much.… Expand
  9. Gamesearcher1
    Aug 29, 2019
    7
    An American Idiot clone? Yes, I can agree with that. Bloated in places? Yes, definitely. But still a pretty good listen? Yes. The highs of this album are really high, and I mean, on par with songs from the album’s predecessor. But the lows are just dreadful. Not to mention all the filler in the album. Also, the story of Christian and Gloria isn’t really all that interesting. Nimrod provedAn American Idiot clone? Yes, I can agree with that. Bloated in places? Yes, definitely. But still a pretty good listen? Yes. The highs of this album are really high, and I mean, on par with songs from the album’s predecessor. But the lows are just dreadful. Not to mention all the filler in the album. Also, the story of Christian and Gloria isn’t really all that interesting. Nimrod proved that an eighteen-song album could be done well by the trio, and this album just doesn’t show that as well. Still, it has a lot of great moments.
    Favourites: Restless Heart Syndrome, East Jesus Nowhere, Last Night on Earth, ¿Viva la Gloria?.
    Least Favourites: American Eulogy, Know Your Enemy, See the Light    … Expand
  10. MysticManiac
    Mar 10, 2018
    10
    In my opinion, Green Day's best album. Yes, even better than American Idiot. So many tracks that are unjustly criticized
  11. raciocinio
    Dec 16, 2017
    10
    ................................................................................................................................Excellent record by Green Day Another one
  12. cretamitic16
    Feb 22, 2017
    10
    Green Day's second rock opera release was absolutely amazing. Almost every song is incredible, and with a mix of harmonized vocals, layered guitars, pop rock influences as well as their usual punk rock rage, 21st Century Breakdown is easily one of the best rock albums of the decade.
  13. gigizayn
    Dec 22, 2016
    10
    aMAZING Follow up to the AmazING American Idiot (2004)...

    Green Day prove that are a Force of Music not only of Punk Rock Genre.

    Billie Joe Armstrong is a force of nature
  14. sicrano
    Oct 17, 2016
    10
    ...Masterpiece...... 70% is a shame critics always have been dumb this album deserves more than 79% And American Idiot too................................................................................
  15. than_Q
    Oct 11, 2016
    7
    Oh Green Day, I will never understand you. This whole album feels kind of weak for Green Day, I mean, it wasn't too long before the release of 21CB that is possibly the best album that they will release, only 4 years (which admittedly is actually quite a while for Green Day, since it used to seem as though they churned out albums regularly), but 21CB just seems weak, I like how they splitOh Green Day, I will never understand you. This whole album feels kind of weak for Green Day, I mean, it wasn't too long before the release of 21CB that is possibly the best album that they will release, only 4 years (which admittedly is actually quite a while for Green Day, since it used to seem as though they churned out albums regularly), but 21CB just seems weak, I like how they split up the album into parts, like one big Jesus of Suburbia, but only 2 of the 3 parts are enjoyable (looking at you, Horseshoes & Handgrenades). This certainly isn't a bad album by any means, but it just doesn't satisfy my taste as a Green Day fan.

    I think that my main problems are the concept and the fact that the album is like a cheap knock off of American Idiot. The concept is great on paper, two lovers in a Bush era world trying to survive, but god it turned out poorly, even worse than the Black Parade by MCR and for the first part of that album, you could understand what was going on to an extent! I really don't get it, the whole Christian & Gloria story, nothing starts, nothing happens, nothing concludes, maybe if it wasn't a concept album at all, then I would like it more, but this is just pathetic. The other problem that I have with this album is the fact that all the tracks sound like B-sides, leftovers from American Idiot that they decided to release and they just so happened to change the names of the tracks to create a story of sorts.

    By no means will I negatively score the album, because it's a good album, and I think that I should be generous with my scoring, since the only thing to really compare it to would be American Idiot, the holy grail of punk, so as an album, it's good, as a Green Day album, it's really not great, maybe if you wanted to set your expectations really low before you listen to American Idiot and then be completely shocked by how good it is in comparison. Don't buy if you're a Green Day fan, you won't be a fan afterwards.    … Expand
  16. GerardistheWay
    Aug 5, 2016
    9
    I must say, in terms of sound quality and consistency, that this is one of the finest rock albums ever produced, as well as another Green Day masterpiece on par with American Idiot.

    The sonic tone, with the ever-familiar aftertaste of ardent punk, manages a successful splice with stadium rock that allows for both fun, catchy songs ("Horseshoes and Handgrenades", "Know Your Enemy"), as    I must say, in terms of sound quality and consistency, that this is one of the finest rock albums ever produced, as well as another Green Day masterpiece on par with American Idiot.

    The sonic tone, with the ever-familiar aftertaste of ardent punk, manages a successful splice with stadium rock that allows for both fun, catchy songs ("Horseshoes and Handgrenades", "Know Your Enemy"), as well as more grandiose tunes that soar to heroic heights ("21 Guns", "Last of the American Girls") and tug on the heartstrings of the listener, as well as a few tracks that bring out the best of both worlds ("East Jesus Nowhere", "21st Century Breakdown"). The band has never sounded as good as they have on this album, not even on American Idiot in which they were still experimenting with their shift into rock opera territory and still had an overwhelming punk flavor. For some reason I skipped over this album and went straight to the Uno/Dos/Tre trilogy after finishing American Idiot, and the clean, clipped sound of the guitar on those albums just didn't do it for me. But where those albums failed, Breakdown exponentially succeeds as a perfect blend of sugar, spice, and everything nice.

    The themes and story of the album have received some criticism, and while I agree that the storyline isn't as focused as Idiot's, it doesn't need to be--rather, it functions more like a collection of short stories than a novel. Christian and Gloria function as the primary characters, but rather than having their tales told in a linear manner, the album's scattershot presentation of them is perfectly reflective of the album's main theme--the collapse of American (and truly, world) culture during the modern age. External forces such as religion and politics are attacked with force and vigor alongside internal ones such as a growing sense of insecurity and alienation, the feeling that the lives of individuals don't carry as much weight as they did even twenty years ago.

    The juxtaposition between Christian and Gloria is one of the most interesting things the album has going for it, in my opinion--Christian, struggling to be good for Gloria while still battling with his own demons, and Gloria, who is placed upon a pedestal as an example to and a light for the masses scrambling in the dark for answers and purpose--and the characters are highly self-reflective of frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and his wife Adrienne. Armstrong's battles with substance abuse are well-known in the music community, while Adrienne is his rock, the visual representation of the ideals which he believes are the best humanity has to offer (self-admittedly, "Last of the American Girls" was written with Adrienne in mind), and he dramatizes and romanticizes the struggles they endure every day in order to create a lasting, rallying battle cry for the people of the US, and the world.

    In closing, 21st Century Breakdown is quite deserving of its Grammy Award for Best Rock Album, as it succeeds as a fun, thoughtful yet easily accessible album that offers something for rockers everywhere, on top of spreading a pretty poignant message about the dissolution of society in our day and age. 9/10    … Expand
  17. clinteastwoo
    May 11, 2016
    10
    ....................................................................................................................................................................Album of genius
  18. PeopleChoice
    May 1, 2016
    7
    Is not a punk album, but it's still catchy, 21st Century Breakdown would probably be the laziest album of the band, arenas will be a bit disappointed, but some tracks will return the powerful crowd as Bullet In a Bible or as the breakout Dookie
  19. Zaynhewsonjavad
    Apr 4, 2016
    10
    ..............................................................................................................................................................................................MOPUS..........................LIKE American idiot
  20. Zanessa250QI
    Apr 4, 2016
    10
    ......................................................................................................................... An Another Masterpiece Album of Green Day, Too Masterpiece like American Idiot (2004)
  21. SirTacos
    Dec 22, 2013
    10
    I seem to have an unpopular opinion when I say that 21st Century Breakdown is superior to American Idiot, and I think one reason for this is that "21st" has more.
  22. Solyarka
    Mar 26, 2013
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If you don't like Green Day or preffered they're 90's songs, Keep reading, If you love Green Day, also keep reading. Much like the Epic American Idiot, 21st Century Breakdown is an album in the style of an rock opera, so expect this album to become a musical in the near future. While the narrative isn't as gripping as the tale of St Jimmy, The story is still strong, half the songs are Awesome while the other half are boring as other than that it's a solid album, go buy it… Expand
  23. ricco94
    Mar 8, 2013
    10
    Another masterpiece by Green Day. No bad songs, only good tracks and many great songs (21 Guns, 21st Century Breakdown, Know Your Enemy, Viva La Gloria, The Static Age). Green Day do it again.
  24. MetalMovieNerd
    Nov 6, 2012
    10
    Why? Can some one explain to me why this album is considered bad? And don't give me "because its not as a good as American Idiot" or "just because it is" crap that doesn't make sense! On its own merits, 21st Century Breakdown is a well produced, smart, and heavily re-playable album. As well, Green Day despite 5 years since American Idiot sound just as good if not better when it comes toWhy? Can some one explain to me why this album is considered bad? And don't give me "because its not as a good as American Idiot" or "just because it is" crap that doesn't make sense! On its own merits, 21st Century Breakdown is a well produced, smart, and heavily re-playable album. As well, Green Day despite 5 years since American Idiot sound just as good if not better when it comes to playing the actual music. So for all of the people claiming its bad, go listen to a pretentious indie or dubstep album. I however am going to be listening to good music that takes talent to play thank you very much.… Expand
  25. axelkoch
    Oct 27, 2012
    7
    Just as I expected, Green Day wasn't able to keep up with their masterpiece 'American Idiot'. A break of almost five years didn't help, this record does not have the strong base story that its predecessor had. I could've overlooked that but next thing is, there is ONLY ONE good song! - Peacemaker. Most of the rest is pretty good, but there are also a couple of weak songs (including everyJust as I expected, Green Day wasn't able to keep up with their masterpiece 'American Idiot'. A break of almost five years didn't help, this record does not have the strong base story that its predecessor had. I could've overlooked that but next thing is, there is ONLY ONE good song! - Peacemaker. Most of the rest is pretty good, but there are also a couple of weak songs (including every released single). The rock opera flair gets lost and the whole album is not that ingenious anymore. But nonetheless, I recommend you to buy it, just 'cause you can have much fun headbanging to it.… Expand
  26. JoshuaStDenis
    Jun 5, 2012
    10
    A great follow-up to "American Idiot", this album proves to yet again succeed convey Green Day's brilliant messages. "21st Century Breakdown" proves to be no disappointment.
  27. SuperArff
    Apr 9, 2012
    8
    Better and more songs than American Idiot, but it doesn't have any of the great plot elements of American Idiot, and feels sort of bland. Overall it's an OK album, but after the masterpiece of American Idiot, this really is a bit of a disappointment. It lacks the energy and political commentary of American Idiot, but I would still recommend it if you are a Green Day fan.
  28. Zegilgamesh
    Jan 6, 2012
    7
    21st Century Breakdown isn't American Idiot, and won't ever live up to the standards set by Dookie, but it still exceeds at tearing down the walls of the 21st century.
  29. grandpajoe6191
    Nov 10, 2011
    8
    Greenday's "21st Century Breakdown" is unpredictable and epic in every sense. The songs are good and has a smell of rock. Overall a great package, but "American Idiot" was better.
  30. Spielberg00
    Sep 10, 2011
    8
    Green Day's songs are now at the point where they are all beginning to sound quite similar in almost every possible way. At least these are enjoyable, intense pieces from another great concept album.
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Most Discussed Album of 2009
23
#23 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
  1. Pitchfork
    48
    The performances are blandly professional, because any major-label rock band of Green Day's abilities could shit this stuff out in their sleep, and emotionally inert. This is the crafting of a modern epic as a dreary day-job routine.
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  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    70
    21st Century Breakdown is far from a bad album, and, like Idiot, will likely be the best release this year from such a popular band.
    Read full review
  3. The Boston Phoenix
    88
    It could have easily gone any of several wrong ways, but Green Day's punk has long since been tempered with pop's most attractive attributes, and 21stCentury Breakdown, like its predecessor, is unapologetically accessible and relentlessly exhilarating.
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