Jump to content

21st Century Breakdown

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Before the Lobotomy)

21st Century Breakdown
The album's cover shows a piece of stencil graffiti art on a brick wall depicting a man and a woman in a passionate embrace.
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 15, 2009 (2009-05-15)
RecordedJanuary 2008 – April 2009
StudioOcean Way Recording, Hollywood; Studio 880, Oakland, California; Jel Studios, Newport Beach, California; Costa Mesa Studios, Costa Mesa, California
Genre
Length69:17
LabelReprise
Producer
Green Day chronology
Bullet in a Bible
(2005)
21st Century Breakdown
(2009)
Last Night on Earth: Live in Tokyo
(2009)
Singles from 21st Century Breakdown
  1. "Know Your Enemy"
    Released: April 16, 2009
  2. "21 Guns"
    Released: May 25, 2009
  3. "East Jesus Nowhere"
    Released: October 19, 2009
  4. "21st Century Breakdown"
    Released: December 21, 2009
  5. "Last of the American Girls"
    Released: March 22, 2010

21st Century Breakdown is the eighth studio album by the American rock band Green Day, released on May 15, 2009, through Reprise Records. Green Day commenced work on the record in January 2006 and forty-five songs were written by vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong by October 2007, but the band members did not enter studio work until January 2008.[1][2]

21st Century Breakdown is a concept album/rock opera much like their previous album American Idiot (2004). According to the band, the album is a rumination of "the era in which we live as we question and try to make sense of the selfish manipulation going on around us".[3] The singles "Know Your Enemy" and "21 Guns" exemplify the themes of alienation and politically motivated anger present in the record.

To handle the record, they turned to producer Butch Vig, best known for producing Nirvana's Nevermind (1991). Critical response to 21st Century Breakdown was generally positive. The record achieved Green Day's best chart performance to date, reaching number one on the album charts of various countries, including the United States Billboard 200, the European Top 100 Albums, and the United Kingdom Albums Chart. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album at the 52nd Grammy Awards on January 31, 2010. As of December 2010, 21st Century Breakdown has sold 1,050,000 copies in the United States[4] and more than 4 million worldwide.

Writing and recording

[edit]

Green Day began to write new songs for what would become 21st Century Breakdown in January 2006 after touring extensively in 2005 in support of their seventh studio album American Idiot.[5] At the time, frontman Billie Joe Armstrong stated: "We'll start with silence, and that's how we'll be able to find the inspiration to find another record."[6] The band did not release any details of the writing and recording process until October 2007, when Armstrong said in an interview with Rolling Stone that he had written "something like 45 songs".[1][2] The band members worked on the primitive conceptual stages of the album at their rehearsal studio in Oakland, California. Little was revealed on the themes or musical style of the album, but Armstrong stated: "I want to dig into who I am and what I'm feeling at this moment – which is middle-aged." He added that many of the 45 songs were written on piano instead of guitar.[1]

Green Day began the recording process for 21st Century Breakdown in January 2008.[7] Later that year, it was confirmed that the band worked with producer Butch Vig.[8] The album was recorded with Vig throughout 2008 and into early 2009 at four locations in California: Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood, Studio 880 in Oakland, Jel Studios in Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa Studios in Costa Mesa.[9] While recording in Hollywood, the band members bought cheap turntables from Amoeba Music and listened to many vinyl records for inspiration, including albums by The Beat and The Plimsouls.[10] Armstrong cited as inspiration the music of The Kinks' Ray Davies, The Pretty Things' S.F. Sorrow, The Doors' The Doors and Strange Days, and Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell.[10] Drummer Tré Cool noted the influence of Eddie Cochran and The Creation on Armstrong's writing.[10] David Bowie is credited as a songwriter on the song "21 Guns" to avoid a potential plagiarism lawsuit, as the melody of the chorus is similar to the Bowie-penned "All the Young Dudes".[11]

While writing at his home studio, Armstrong worked on a cover of The Who's 1966 mini-opera "A Quick One, While He's Away"; Green Day recorded a full-band version of the song during the album sessions.[12] Vig noted that frustrations would sometimes cause delays in the recording process for 21st Century Breakdown.[2] Armstrong kept his lyrics closely guarded and intentionally mixed his demos so that the vocals were low in the mix and thus unintelligible to the other band members.[10] It was not until late 2008 that he chose to share his words with Cool, Vig, and bassist Mike Dirnt by sitting down with them and reading the entire album's lyrics aloud in order.[10] The band members made the finishing touches on the album in early April 2009 and claimed that its release would lead to a "kind of... post-partum depression".[13]

Themes and composition

[edit]

I look at Christian and Gloria, and it's me. Gloria is one side: this person trying to hold on to this sense of belief, still trying to do good. Whereas Christian is deep into his own demons and victimizing himself over that.[10]

Billie Joe Armstrong, on the link between the two main protagonists of 21st Century Breakdown and himself

21st Century Breakdown continues the rock opera style of its predecessor, American Idiot.[14] The album is set in Detroit, Michigan and is divided into three acts: "Heroes and Cons", "Charlatans and Saints", and "Horseshoes and Handgrenades".[15] Its loose narrative follows a young couple named Christian and Gloria through the challenges present in the U.S. following the presidency of George W. Bush.[16] Bassist Mike Dirnt has compared the relationships between the songs to those in Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run, saying that the themes are not as tightly interwoven as in a concept album, but that they are still connected.[17] Many of the record's themes and lyrics are drawn from Armstrong's personal life and he sings in the first-person narrative style about abandonment and vengeance in "Before the Lobotomy", "Christian's Inferno", and "Peacemaker".[10] Rolling Stone noted that the album is "the most personal, emotionally convulsive record Armstrong has ever written".[10]

The title track's opening lyric "Born into Nixon, I was raised in hell" references Armstrong's birth year of 1972, while "We are the class of '13" references the fact that his eldest son, Joseph, would graduate from high school in 2013.[10] Dirnt has expressed his belief that "Last of the American Girls" was written about Armstrong's wife Adrienne, who he claimed is steadfast in her beliefs and assertively defends them, as is the topic of the girl in the record.[10] Armstrong has cited his "disconnected" childhood—he was raised by his five older siblings after their father's death, while their mother worked graveyard shifts as a waitress—as the roots of the discontent expressed on 21st Century Breakdown.[10] "East Jesus Nowhere" rebukes fundamentalist religion and was written after Armstrong attended a church service where a friend's baby was baptized.[10]

Musically, 21st Century Breakdown is similar to the punk rock style of American Idiot,[18][19] but many critics have claimed that Green Day's traditional sound has evolved in the five years, with 21st Century Breakdown incorporating new influences such as heavier, louder pop rock and arena rock on an epic scale.[20][21] Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone indicated that the album provides ballads that are Green Day's most polished; he claimed that the band "combine punk-thrash with their newfound love of classic-rock grandiosity".[18] MTV compared the material to that of classic rockers like The Who,[22] while Spin called the title track "Green Day's most epic song yet".[23] Cool has remarked: "It's important to us that we're still looked at as a punk band. It was our religion, our higher education". However, he also noted that Armstrong had delved into the past in writing 21st Century Breakdown, gleaning inspiration from the artists who shaped rock music.[10] Armstrong himself has stated: "Ground zero for me is still punk rock. I like painting an ugly picture. I get something uplifting out of singing some of the most horrifying shit you can sing about. It's just my DNA."[10]

With a running time of almost 70 minutes, 21st Century Breakdown is Green Day's longest album to date.

Critics have labeled 21st Century Breakdown as pop-punk,[24][25][26] punk rock,[18][17] power pop,[27][28] arena rock,[29][21] post-punk,[30] alternative rock,[31] and pop rock.[20]

Promotion and release

[edit]
Green Day performing in a 21st Century Breakdown showcase concert at the Kesselhaus, Berlin, May 7, 2009

Green Day commenced work on the record in January 2006. The writing and recording process spanned three years and four California recording studios, and it was finished in April 2009. On February 9, 2009, Green Day announced the album title and that the record would be split into three acts: "Heroes and Cons", "Charlatans and Saints", and "Horseshoes and Handgrenades".[32] On March 17, a teaser trailer for 21st Century Breakdown was posted on the band's website.[33] The international release date of May 15 was announced on March 25.[34] In early April 2009, Green Day premiered "Know Your Enemy" on television; a portion of the song was used as introductory music to the 2009 NCAA men's basketball tournament championship game.[35] The band first performed 21st Century Breakdown in full during a string of California club shows in April 2009.[36][37] At each show, concertgoers were given programs containing all of the album's lyrics.[37] The first single, "Know Your Enemy", was released on April 16, 2009,[38] and soon after the world premiere of the song's music video occurred on April 24 on the MTV UK website.[39]

21st Century Breakdown was released internationally on May 15, 2009, through Reprise Records.[40] The special edition vinyl version was limited to 3,000 copies and consisted of three 10" records, one for each of the album's "acts", a CD copy of the album, a 60-page art booklet, and a code for the digital download of the full album.[41][42] The album artwork process was led by Chris Bilheimer and is based on a work from artist Sixten, who confirmed that the couple on the cover were "just friends of a friend at a party in Eskilstuna, Sweden" and explained that a mutual friend snapped a picture of the pair kissing.[43] He added: "I love their passion, and just had to make a stencil out of it to spread the love."[43] The cover art was noted for a marked similarity with that of Blur's 2003 album Think Tank, itself a stencil by artist Banksy, except that one had the couple wearing diving helmets.[44] Green Day showcased a collection of similarly themed art, called "The Art of Rock", at an art exhibition in London between October 23 and November 1, 2009.[45] The "kissing couple" on the cover later was re-created in the music video for "21 Guns".

The record debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in the U.S., where it sold 215,000 copies in its first week, which was a shortened three days. In its second week, 21st Century Breakdown moved an additional 166,000 copies, sliding to number 2. In its third week, it sold 76,000 copies. 21st Century Breakdown slid down to number five in its fourth week but achieved the coveted Gold status for sales of 500,000 copies in the same week. chart.[46] The album remained at number one on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart for three weeks.[47] In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at #1, selling 79,770 copies in its first week and it has sold over 600,000 copies to date.[48] In Canada, the album debuted at #1 on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 30,000 copies in its first week.[49] The album debuted at the top of sales charts in twenty four total countries,[46] including a peak of number one on the European Top 100 Albums.[50] 21st Century Breakdown was only released in a Parental Advisory version containing explicit lyrics and content; Walmart refuses to sell albums with a Parental Advisory sticker and requested that Green Day release a censored edition. The band members responded by stating: "There's nothing dirty about our record... They want artists to censor their records in order to be carried in there. We just said no. We've never done it before. You feel like you're in 1953 or something."[51] The second single, "21 Guns", was released to radio stations on May 25.[52] The band embarked on a world tour in July 2009; the North American leg lasted through September and the European leg ended in November.[36] "East Jesus Nowhere" was released as the album's third single on October 19, 2009.[53][54]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?5.4/10[55]
Metacritic70/100[56]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[57]
The A.V. ClubB+[25]
Entertainment WeeklyB[58]
The Guardian[21]
Los Angeles Times[59]
MSN Music (Consumer Guide)C[60]
NME[30]
Pitchfork4.8/10[31]
Rolling Stone[18]
Spin[61]

Reception to 21st Century Breakdown has been generally favorable, according to aggregating website Metacritic, which reported a rating of 70/100 based on 30 critical reviews.[56] Dan Silver of The Observer awarded the record four stars out of five and likened it to both Bruce Springsteen's music and the avant-garde writing of Chuck Palahniuk.[62] Rolling Stone's David Fricke called 21st Century Breakdown "a compound bomb of classic-rock ecstasy, no-mercy punk assault and pop-song wiles; it's like The Clash's London Calling, The Who's Quadrophenia and Hüsker Dü's Zen Arcade all compressed into 18 songs".[2] Dan Cairns of The Times concluded: "Lyrically, it may succeed in capturing the contradictions, vulnerabilities and longing for harmony that thrum through Armstrong, Dirnt and Cool, their country, and humanity as a whole. But its real triumph, in an age of trimming, of market testing, of self-censorship and lowest common denominators, is not simply to aim insanely high, but to make it to the summit."[63]

Criticism centered on the concept of the record; BBC's Chris Jones said that it is "griping vaguely against 'authority'" and that "too many buzz words obscure incisive meaning".[64] Steve Kandell of Spin wrote that the humor of American Idiot was "sorely missed" and that the energy of the album seemed "directionless".[61] The Guardian's Alexis Petridis indicated that "the storyline becomes impossible to follow".[21] Robert Christgau of MSN Music panned the album, reserving particular distaste for the multiple songs that heavily utilize dynamics, before concluding, "I don't like right-wing Christianists either. But as every oppressed teen in the right-wing orbit knows full well, they're not as garbled and simplistic as Armstrong's anthems insist."[60] Adam Downer of Sputnikmusic was even less receptive, calling the album "more conceptually vague/ridiculous than American Idiot", and going on to say that it "spirals out of control in its own heroic glory and never regains focus, thus ending with a product that Green Day couldn't afford to produce: an average record".[65] Slant Magazine claims that "...an uncanny sense of familiarity hangs over too much of the album. The melodies of several tracks suggest ghosts of older Green Day songs."[26] Kyle Ryan at The A.V. Club gave the album a B+, noting it as "going [even] bolder" than American Idiot. Ryan also declared "21st Century Breakdown reinforces what American Idiot first revealed: Green Day should never be underestimated."[25]

Accolades

[edit]
Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
Rolling Stone United States Best Albums of 2009[66] 2009 5
Kerrang! United Kingdom Reader's Choice: Best 50 Albums of the 21st Century[67] 2009 17
Rhapsody United States The 25 Best Albums of 2009[68] 2009 16

Album awards

[edit]
Year Ceremony Award Result
2009 Grammy Awards Best Rock Album Won
Teen Choice Awards Music Album Group Nominated
TMF Awards Best International Album
Kerrang! Awards Best Album
2010 MTV Video Music Awards Japan Album of the Year
NME Awards Best Album
Worst Album

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Billie Joe Armstrong; all music is composed by Green Day, "21 Guns" credits David Bowie as additional songwriter.[11]

No.TitleLength
1."Song of the Century"0:57
Act I: Heroes and Cons
No.TitleLength
2."21st Century Breakdown"5:09
3."Know Your Enemy"3:11
4."¡Viva la Gloria!"3:31
5."Before the Lobotomy"4:37
6."Christian's Inferno"3:07
7."Last Night on Earth"3:56
Act II: Charlatans and Saints
No.TitleLength
8."East Jesus Nowhere"4:35
9."Peacemaker"3:24
10."Last of the American Girls"3:51
11."Murder City"2:54
12."¿Viva la Gloria? (Little Girl)"3:48
13."Restless Heart Syndrome"4:21
Act III: Horseshoes and Handgrenades
No.TitleLength
14."Horseshoes and Handgrenades"3:14
15."The Static Age"4:16
16."21 Guns"5:21
17."American Eulogy" (A. "Mass Hysteria" / B. "Modern World")4:26
18."See the Light"4:35
Total length:69:13

All lyrics are written by Billie Joe Armstrong; all music is composed by Green Day, except where noted

Amazon.com MP3 version bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
19."Burnout" (Live in St. Petersburg, FL at Jannus Landing on March 11, 1994)2:21
Total length:71:34
iTunes deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
19."A Quick One, While He's Away" (originally performed by The Who)Pete Townshend7:59
20."Another State of Mind" (originally performed by Social Distortion)Mike Ness2:46
Total length:79:18
iTunes pre-order edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
21."That's All Right" (originally performed by Elvis Presley)Arthur Crudup2:01
22."Like a Rolling Stone" (originally performed by Bob Dylan)Bob Dylan6:10
Total length:87:29
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleLength
19."Lights Out"2:16
Total length:71:25
Rhapsody version bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
19."Know Your Enemy" (live)4:47
20."The Static Age" (live)4:30
Total length:77:90
Target version bonus CD (Live in Japan)
No.TitleLength
1."American Idiot" (live)4:18
2."Jesus of Suburbia" (live)9:22
3."Holiday" (live)4:34
4."Are We the Waiting" (live)2:49
5."St. Jimmy" (live)2:58
6."Boulevard of Broken Dreams" (live)4:41
Total length:29:08
Japanese bonus DVD
No.TitleLength
1."Know Your Enemy" (live at Abbey Road) 
2."East Jesus Nowhere" (live at Abbey Road) 
3."St. Jimmy" (live at Abbey Road) 
4."21 Guns" (live at Abbey Road) 
5."American Idiot" (live at Abbey Road) 
6."Know Your Enemy" (music video) 
7."21 Guns" (music video) 
8."21st Century Breakdown" (music video) 

Personnel

[edit]

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Label Format Catalog
World May 15, 2009 Warner Music Digital download
United States Reprise CD, double LP 517153[57]
United Kingdom Warner Music CD 9362-49802-1[70]
Europe
Australia 9362498021[71]
Deluxe CD 9362497777[71]
May 29, 2009 LP 9362497853[71]
Japan May 15, 2009 Warner Music Japan CD WPCR-13377[72]
January 20, 2010[73] CD+DVD (Japan Tour Edition) WPZR-30361
July 11, 2012[74] CD (Japan Edition) WPCR-75691
September 26, 2012[75] SHM-CD WPCR-14540

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for 21st Century Breakdown
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[130] Gold 20,000^
Australia (ARIA)[131] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[132] Platinum 20,000*
Belgium (BEA)[133] Gold 15,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[134] Gold 30,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[135] 2× Platinum 160,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[136] Platinum 30,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[137] Gold 16,386[137]
France (SNEP)[138] Platinum 100,000*
GCC (IFPI Middle East)[139] Platinum 6,000*
Germany (BVMI)[140] 3× Gold 300,000^
Ireland (IRMA)[141] Platinum 15,000^
Italy (FIMI)[142] Platinum 70,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[143] Gold 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[144] Platinum 15,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[145] Gold 15,000*
Sweden (GLF)[146] Gold 20,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[147] Platinum 30,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[148] Platinum 300,000^
United States (RIAA)[150] Platinum 1,000,000^ / 1,050,000[149]
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[151] Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes

[edit]
  • Fricke, David (May 28, 2009). "Green Day Fights On". Rolling Stone. pp. 48–50.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Green Day break studio silence on new album". NME. October 8, 2007. Archived from the original on April 26, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d Fricke, p. 48
  3. ^ Riley, Jack (May 15, 2009). "Caught in the Net: Gremlins Beset Russian Fairy". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on May 26, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  4. ^ Grein, Paul (December 22, 2010). "Week Ending Dec. 19, 2010: Michael Wouldn't Have Liked This". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on December 31, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  5. ^ "Behind The Scenes: Green Day On Saturday Night Live". Access Hollywood. May 16, 2009. Archived from the original on June 18, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
  6. ^ "Green Day Talks About New Album And Silence". SpotlightingNews. January 3, 2006. Archived from the original on January 7, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  7. ^ Wan, Stephanie Ng (December 5, 2007). "Green Day Working on Next Album". Soul Shine. Archived from the original on June 16, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  8. ^ "Video Confirms Green Day Working With Butch Vig On New Album". Rolling Stone. October 14, 2008. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  9. ^ 21st Century Breakdown (CD). Green Day. Reprise Records. 2009. 518576-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Fricke, p. 50
  11. ^ a b Bowie
  12. ^ Fricke, pp. 48–50
  13. ^ "Green Day Reflects On 21st Century Breakdown". Gantdaily.com. April 27, 2009. Archived from the original on June 16, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  14. ^ "Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown: We heard (some of) it! | PopWatch Blog". Entertainment Weekly. February 11, 2009. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
  15. ^ JBev (May 20, 2009). "Green Day's Latest Breakdown". JamsBio. Archived from the original on June 22, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  16. ^ "Green Day Swings for the Fences on "21st Century Breakdown"". Rolling Stone. March 20, 2009. Archived from the original on March 26, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  17. ^ a b "First Listen: Green Day Revive Dramatic Political Punk on "21st Century Breakdown"". Rolling Stone. February 11, 2009. Archived from the original on June 16, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  18. ^ a b c d Sheffield, Rob (April 27, 2009). "21st Century Breakdown : Green Day : Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  19. ^ Gundersen, Edna (May 14, 2009). "It's a new, motivated Green Day for the 21st Century". USA Today. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  20. ^ a b Fallon, Chris (May 14, 2009). "Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown – Album Review". AbsolutePunk. Archived from the original on May 21, 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  21. ^ a b c d Petridis, Alexis (May 8, 2009). "Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on May 11, 2009. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  22. ^ Montgomery, James (February 12, 2009). "We Preview Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown – News Story". MTV. Archived from the original on February 14, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
  23. ^ Goodman, William (February 13, 2009). "First Listen: Green Day's "21st Century Breakdown"". Spin. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
  24. ^ Diver, Mike (April 23, 2009). "Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown". Clash Music. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  25. ^ a b c Ryan, Kyle (May 19, 2009). "Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown". The A.V. Club. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  26. ^ a b Robbins, Charles (May 15, 2009). "Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown". Slant. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
  27. ^ Fusilli, Jim (July 16, 2009). "Great Days for Green Day". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  28. ^ "Green Day: '21st Century Breakdown'". Digital Spy. May 14, 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  29. ^ Heisel, Scott. "Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Alternative Press. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  30. ^ a b Beaumont, Mark (May 15, 2009). "Album review: Green Day". NME. Archived from the original on May 17, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
  31. ^ a b Harvell, Jess (May 22, 2009). "Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 23, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
  32. ^ "Green Day name new album". NME. February 9, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  33. ^ "Green Day Confirm 21st Century Breakdown Release Date!". Rocklouder. March 25, 2009. Archived from the original on June 16, 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  34. ^ "Green Day Nail Down "21st Century Breakdown" Release Date: May 15th". Rolling Stone. March 25, 2009. Archived from the original on April 20, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  35. ^ "CBS Sports' NCAA Championship Game Covereage to Tip-off with World Television Premiere of Green Day's New Single "Know Your Enemy"". MarketWatch. April 2, 2009. Archived from the original on June 16, 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2009.
  36. ^ a b Madison, Tjames (May 26, 2009). "Green Day taps big names as tour openers". LiveDaily. Archived from the original on May 30, 2009. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
  37. ^ a b Fricke, David (April 15, 2009). "Green Day Bring 21st Century Breakdown to Life at Stunning Oakland Gig". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 17, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
  38. ^ "Green Day's "Know Your Enemy" is No. 1 at Alternative Radio". MarketWatch. April 27, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
  39. ^ "Know Your Enemy Video". MTV. Archived from the original on April 28, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
  40. ^ "Green Day Announce New Album Title". Rocklouder. February 9, 2009. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
  41. ^ "Limited Special Edition of 21st Century Breakdown". GreenDayMusic.com. Retrieved May 26, 2009.[dead link]
  42. ^ "College News and Green Day Giveaway". College News. Archived from the original on May 7, 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2009.
  43. ^ a b "Green Day artist reveals story behind new album cover". NME. February 11, 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2009.
  44. ^ Lewis, Luke (February 10, 2009). "Green Day Artwork – Have They Stolen From Blur?". NME. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2009.
  45. ^ Cochrane, Greg (October 15, 2009). "Green Day stage 'art' exhibition". BBC News. Archived from the original on October 18, 2009. Retrieved October 18, 2009.
  46. ^ a b Caulfield, Keith (May 20, 2009). "Green Day rule U.S. and international pop charts". Reuters. Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2009.
  47. ^ "Top Rock Albums – 21st Century Breakdown". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 16, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
  48. ^ Jones, Alan (October 13, 2016). "Commentary on Singles". buzzjack.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016.
  49. ^ Williams, John (May 20, 2009). "Green Day hits No. 1 on charts". Jam!. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  50. ^ a b Sexton, Paul (May 28, 2009). "Green Day Rises To European Chart Summit". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 16, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
  51. ^ "Green Day lashes out at Wal-Mart policy". Newsvine. May 21, 2009. Archived from the original on May 25, 2009. Retrieved May 21, 2009.
  52. ^ "Modern Rock singles listing". FMQB. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2009.
  53. ^ Murray, Robin (September 25, 2009). "Green Day Single News". Clashmusic.com. Clash. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  54. ^ "Green Day Single News: East Jesus Nowhere Due". GreenDay.com. September 25, 2009. Archived from the original on December 10, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
  55. ^ "21st Century Breakdown by Green Day reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  56. ^ a b "Reviews for 21st Century Breakdown by Green Day". Metacritic. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  57. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "21st Century Breakdown – Green Day". AllMusic. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
  58. ^ Greenblatt, Leah (May 5, 2009). "21st Century Breakdown". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  59. ^ Powers, Ann (May 15, 2009). "Giving rock's past a kick in the pants". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
  60. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (July 2009). "Consumer Guide". MSN Music. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
  61. ^ a b Kandell, Steve (April 30, 2009). "Green Day, '21st Century Breakdown' (Reprise)". Spin. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  62. ^ Silver, Dan (April 19, 2009). "Rock review: Green Day, 21st Century Breakdown". The Observer. London. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
  63. ^ Cairns, Dan (April 26, 2009). "Green Day return bigger and better – Times Online". The Times. London. Retrieved May 7, 2009.[dead link]
  64. ^ Jones, Chris (May 8, 2009). "You may not get any deep insights, but you are getting some great tunes". BBC. Archived from the original on May 15, 2009. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
  65. ^ Downer, Adam (May 11, 2009). "Green Day 21st Century Breakdown". Sputnikmusic. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
  66. ^ "Rolling Stone (USA) End Of Year Lists". Rocklist.net. Archived from the original on July 23, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  67. ^ "Kerrang Readers 50 Best Albums Of The 21st Century". Ilxor. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  68. ^ "The 25 Best Albums of 2009 - Rhapsody: The Mix". October 2, 2011. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  69. ^ "21st Century Breakdown - Green Day". AllMusic. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  70. ^ "Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown (CD, Album)". Discogs. Retrieved October 18, 2009.
  71. ^ a b c "Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown (Album)". Australian-charts.com. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
  72. ^ "21st Century Breakdown". Warner Music Group Japan. Archived from the original on August 19, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  73. ^ "21st Century Breakdown (CD+DVD)". Warner Music Group Japan. Archived from the original on December 30, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  74. ^ "21st Century Breakdown (CD, Japan Edition)". Warner Music Group Japan. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  75. ^ "21st Century Breakdown (SHM-CD)". Warner Music Group Japan. Archived from the original on August 24, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  76. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Hung Medien.
  77. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown" (in German). Hung Medien.
  78. ^ "Ultratop.be – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  79. ^ "Ultratop.be – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown" (in French). Hung Medien.
  80. ^ "Green Day Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard.
  81. ^ "TOP 50 Prodejní – 2009, week 22". ČNS International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on December 18, 2008. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  82. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Hung Medien.
  83. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  84. ^ "Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  85. ^ "Lescharts.com – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Hung Medien.
  86. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.
  87. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2009. 21. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ.
  88. ^ "Top 75 Artist Album, Week Ending 21 May 2009". GfK Chart-Track. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  89. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Hung Medien.
  90. ^ 米3人組バンド、グリーン・デイが初のアルバム首位 (in Japanese). Oricon. May 18, 2009. Archived from the original on June 17, 2009. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
  91. ^ "Mexicancharts.com – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012.
  92. ^ "Charts.nz – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Hung Medien.
  93. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Hung Medien.
  94. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
  95. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Hung Medien.
  96. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Hung Medien.
  97. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Hung Medien.
  98. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Hung Medien.
  99. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  100. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  101. ^ "Green Day Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  102. ^ "Green Day Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard.
  103. ^ "Green Day Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard.
  104. ^ "Green Day Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard.
  105. ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2009". ARIA Charts. Retrieved January 11, 2010.
  106. ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 2009" (in German). austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  107. ^ "JAAROVERZICHTEN 2009: Albums" (in Dutch). Ultratop.
  108. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2009: Alternatieve Albums" (in Dutch). Ultratop.
  109. ^ "REPORT ANNUELS 2009: Albums" (in French). Ultratop.
  110. ^ "Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  111. ^ "Album 2009 Top-100" (in Danish). Hitlisten.NU. IFPI Denmark. Archived from the original on September 26, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  112. ^ "Jaaroverzichten - Album 2009" (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  113. ^ "2009 Year End Charts – European Top 100 Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  114. ^ "Myydyimmät ulkomaiset albumit vuonna 2009" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  115. ^ "Top Albums 2009" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  116. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts 2009" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
  117. ^ "Classifica annuale 2009 (dal 29.12.2008 al 27.12.2009) – Album & Compilation" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  118. ^ オリコン年間 アルバムランキング 2009年度 [Oricon Annual CD Album Ranking 2009] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  119. ^ "Charts Year End: AMPROFON" (PDF) (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 21, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  120. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 2009". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  121. ^ "Årslista Album, 2009" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  122. ^ "Årslista Album (inkl samlingar), 2009" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  123. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2009". swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  124. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 - 2009". Official Charts Company.
  125. ^ "Top Alternative Albums - Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  126. ^ "2009 Year End Charts – Top Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  127. ^ "Top Rock Albums - Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  128. ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 2010" (in German). austriancharts.at. Hung Medien.
  129. ^ "Top Albums 2010" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  130. ^ "Discos de Oro y Platino - Green Day" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  131. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  132. ^ "Austrian album certifications – Green Day – 21 Century Breakdown" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  133. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2009". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  134. ^ "Brazilian album certifications – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  135. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Music Canada. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  136. ^ "Danish album certifications – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  137. ^ a b "Green Day" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  138. ^ "French album certifications – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  139. ^ "IFPI Middle East Awards – 2009". IFPI Middle East. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  140. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Green Day; '21st Century Breakdown')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  141. ^ "The Irish Charts - 2009 Certification Awards - Platinum". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  142. ^ "Italian album certifications – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  143. ^ "Japanese album certifications – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved June 7, 2021. Select 2009年5月 on the drop-down menu
  144. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Recorded Music NZ. June 1, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  145. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  146. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2009" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  147. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('21st Century Breakdown')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  148. ^ "British album certifications – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  149. ^ "Upcoming Releases 2013". Hits Daily Double. September 6, 2012. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  150. ^ "American album certifications – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown". Recording Industry Association of America.
  151. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2009". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
[edit]