MUSIC THEORY

It's hard for me to go through all these albums! I usually just start an album and listen to it. But I don't take note of which song is which.

oh

I've listened through everything at least once, except for Shenanigans.

Cool. I'm reading a review on ultimate guitar.com about their new album. It says Restless Heart Syndrome has an amazing guitar solo.

I HAVE the new album. Bought it yesterday when it came out. When I get home I'll tell you what I think about it, cause I haven't REALLY thought about everything yet.

ok write a review lol

Oooh I will. I'll do it when I get home.

When would that be?

Now. I'm working on it. I'm listening to the album and thinking about what I want to say. I'll just edit this and put it here.

21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN.

To avoid having to type out the albums, 21st Century Breakdown will be referred to as ,"Breakdown" and American Idiot, "Idiot"


If you thought American Idiot was a Rock Opera, then you're soon to see what a real Rock Opera is. If you thought Idiot was soft, then you've yet to see what soft really means.


Breakdown is set into three acts which are

I. Heroes and Cons
II. Charlatans and Saints
III. Horseshoes and Handgrenades.

So I'll go through piece by piece, since the acts are actually distinctly different.

ACT ONE: HEROES AND CONS.

The first song, "21st Century Breakdown" is a great way to start the album off. The "oooo's" in the beginning really give it the "musical" sound that Green Day tried so hard to capture on this album. It's a great start, sets the tone for the first act, and introduces us to Christian, our main Character. (don't expect me to tell the story, I'm just throwing that out there) The first act is a mix of energetic and emotional songs. The emotions that show in the first act though are love and devotion. It's got a happy punk pop sound to most of the songs that you can't help but nod your head and sing along with. The songs that aren't as upbeat are by far the most emotional/serious songs Green Day has ever written. Very nice use of Pianos and string instruments. Some of the songs are a little on the repetitive side, but most songs are short so it doesn't show to much.

This is by far my favorite act and I'd give it a 9

ACT TWO: CHARLATANS AND SAINTS

This act kind of does away with the love from before, and replaces it with anger. The music and lyrics are much darker this time around, and Billie Joe really stretches himself to get some interesting sounds that sometimes work, sometimes don't. Example, "Peacemaker" has an almost Mexican sound, that isn't BAD, but it's not a favorite, while "¿Viva La Gloria?" has an almost "evil polka" sound, if you follow me, but then goes into normal Green Day sound for the chorus.

This is a good act, but they seem to have strayed maybe too far from their punk roots in this act. I like the songs, but none of them are really memorable, save East Jesus Nowhere and Restless Heart Syndrome.

7.5

ACT THREE: HORSESHOES AND HANDGRENADES

The 3rd and final act has a mix of both the first and second act. It's got an angry couple of songs, but 21 Guns brings back the emotions from Act 1. It's not as strong as the other acts, and probably my least favorite. I just have to stop here and say although it's my least favorite act, it probably has my favorite song on the album: 21 Guns. It's amazing, to say the least. His voice, the guitars, everything. Amazing. Sadly, the rest of the act isn't as impressive. I would have wanted a stronger ending for the last act, and the last song really leaves me wanting more.

7


OK, so now that I've gone through the acts, let me just talk about the album as a whole.

Well, it's definitely new. I must admit I was afraid they were just ripping off themselves and it was gonna be Idiot all over, but it isn't. It has a different sound than Idiot. Besides East Jesus Nowhere (sounds like Holiday) and Restless Heart Syndrome (sounds like Blvd. Of Broken Dreams) it really has it's own unique sound.


What really sets it apart, I think, is the musical aspect of it. By musical I mean that it almost sounds like it was written for a play. The back up vocals are louder this time around, so the "ooo's" come out only second to the main vocals, and not by much. The use of Lydian scales and string instruments really set it apart from Green Day's previous work.

Billie Joe's voice, what can I say? It's beautiful. How he can have such a raspy scream in some songs and then have the most emotional, soulful voice is beyond me. But I think what really caught me was the use of Falsetto in the album. I did NOT expect it, but it's amazing. Don't believe me? Listen to Last Night on Earth, 21 Guns, or Restless heart Syndrome.

The guitar work on the album is incredible on some songs, and unheard on others. They offer a lot more melodies and solos on the album, but some songs are practically all orchestra instruments. The solos have improved IMMENSELY since American Idiot, playing melodic and lengthy (for punk) solos. Of course, there isn't much to say when it comes to verse/chorus of the upbeat songs, just regular Green Day pounding some Power Chords.


If you liked Idiot, then yes, this is definitely worth the buy.
If you thought it was OK, but like old Green Day better, you'll probably be a little disappointed, but I'd still buy some songs off of it.
But if you thought American Idiot was a step in the wrong direction, chances are you won't like it. I'd still suggest buying some songs though, because they really are amazing.


Here's my favorites, if you don't get the whole album, at least buy these.

21 Guns
Last Night On Earth
East Jesus Nowhere
Horseshoes and HandGrenades
Restless Heart Syndrome
Know Your Enemy
21st Century Breakdown

These are just my personal favorites, but the whole album is pretty good. I'd give it an 8.

how about the guitar work?

Sorry, I forgot to mention that, I was tired. hang on I'll fix that and put it near the end.

that's ok. I'm not amazed at my little vox though.

Like I said, it's good for practice.
Oh and I have a prediction to make.

At least one of the following songs will be played on the radio until everyone hates it (which is a shame)

21 Guns
Restless Heart Syndrome
East Jesus Nowhere.

In fact, they each are like an Idiot song, in a way.

21 Guns - Wake Me Up When September Ends. Starts with acoustic guitars, kind of a bittersweet song, goes into heavy electric guitars for the Chorus.

Restless Heartsyndrome - Blvd Of Broken Dreams. Hard to explain, but it does sound like it.

East Jesus Nowhere - Holiday. Upbeat verse that goes into half-time feel for the Chrous, with a nice bass bridge.

I took back the vox

Yeah, that doesn't surpirse me.

why?

Because, it's a good practice amp for beginners or if you need something versatile to mess around with, but you've already got a good amp and some pedals.

is there some book with all the good licks in it or something?? I always forget the good ones I write and end up with nothing but improvizing on the spot. I mean I like improvizing but I think I need some solid licks that I memorized to give me some time to think of what to play next.

I'm not sure I usually just make up my own and play them over and over and over until I've drilled them in my head.

do you write them out ever?

No, I don't think so.

maybe someday I'll be able to write out the sheet music for that stuff lol

Lol that would be cool.

yeah I need to start looking into comin down there