My most treasured single CD is Green Day’s version of John Lennon’s ‘Working Class Hero’ released a few years ago in aid of Oxfam. I mention it because it’s my firm belief that it was that song that inspired Billie Joe to write and record both AMERICAN IDIOT and 21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN - two great albums.

In fact you need to look no further than the second verse of the opening song (’21st Century Breakdown’) to find “My generation is zero, I never made it, as a working class hero.” Angst and punk rock go hand-in-hand but there’s only one band I can think of who can make this potentially deadly musical combination so accessible, so intelligent, so entertaining. That band of course is Green Day but it’s been four long years since AMERICAN IDIOT was released and sold in the millions around the world. So why so long before this beauty landed? The answer lies in the album of course. It’s beautifully crafted and scripted, and compiled with the care of a brain surgeon. Good wine takes time and with music, certainly where Green Day is concerned, gestation and birth doesn’t happen in short-time.

The big question remains: Was it worth the wait? The answer is a resounding Yes. 21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN is better than AMERICAN IDIOT or rather it represents a major progression in several ways. So let’s start with the writing which is astute, intelligent and accessible. Not one of the 18 songs here misses the mark whether the subject matter is poverty, crime, politics, religion, war or love. And it’s all covered here in three chapters (Heroes And Cons, Charlatans And Saints, Horseshoes And Handgrenades).

Melodically I doubt whether there’s been a better rock album in the last five years. It’s this vital component that opens the door song after song, time and time again and engenders a sense of anticipation in between the momentary gaps between songs. Production is peerless allowing those wonderful lyrics and vocals to be heard clearly over the top of rock instrumentals that often leave one breathless.

There’s also a lightness of touch which opens up the record for younger listeners and fans to appreciate the messages that Billie Joe wants them to hear and understand.

Finally there’s the deft track order that provides a sequence of songs that mix and match pace and vibe so fabulously well. A prime example is the fantastic rock single ‘Know Your Enemy’ followed immediately by the very beautiful piano-led ‘Viva La Gloria.’ This is followed by a lone acoustic guitar-led ‘Before The Lobotomy’ where the vocal dominates until the vibe becomes rocky around a minute in. ‘Christian’s Inferno’ is an undisputed, gentle nod to the Beatles while ‘Last Night On Earth’ offers a rock and rhythmic counterpoint in no uncertain terms to end the first chapter on a devestating note. For a song that combines several musical elements (piano, strings, rock instrumentals, soft and hard) check out one of the album’s many highlights. ‘Restless Heart Syndrome’ will knock you off your feet… Then There’s the explosive, angry ‘Horseshoe And Handgrenades’ - I could go on and on about the superb songs here…

There will be those critics who will complain that one AMERICAN IDIOT is enough, and I have to confess that I had my doubts. But the proof (as always) is in the listening. My conclusion is that 21st CENTURY BREAKDOWN is a rock masterpiece and I just hope that I don’t have to wait four years for another one (maybe two…). Essential.

5/5