21st Century Breakdown
By: Jared Jackson
Published in East Carolina University’s The East Carolinian
When Green Day released “American Idiot” back in 2004, the group was on the verge of disaster.
After the trio’s previous two efforts, 1997’s “Nimrod” and 2000’s “Warning,” failed commercially, it was do-or-die time for one of the last mainstream punk rock bands around.
While recording their next LP, tentatively titled “Cigarettes and Valentines,” the group’s master tapes were stolen from the recording studio. Instead of trying to recreate the songs, Green Day decided to start fresh and, in the end, the punk-rock opera “American Idiot” was born.
Upon release, “American Idiot” became a quick commercial success, topping the charts at No. 1 in 19 countries. The U.S. Green Day’s masterpiece captured the Grammy for Best Rock Album and has sold over 14 million copies worldwide since its release.
After such a commercial success, many wondered where Green Day would turn next and if Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool could possibly top their crowning achievement…Click here to read the rest of this article
