The Bottom Line
No surprise here. Green Day return with rousing anthemic rock on "Know Your Enemy" from the album 21st Century Breakdown. According to lead vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong the song is a clarion call to liberate yourself from televised crap. The lyrics aren't quite so explicit, but there is plenty of fist-pumping energy. It's great to have them back, but ultimately "Know Your Enemy" is standard issue Green Day.
Listen to a preview clip of "Know Your Enemy"
Pros
- Anthemic punch of guitar and drums
- Billie Joe Armstrong is one of the best vocalists in rock
- Catchy and melodic
Cons
- Dull, repetitive lyrics
- No new ground broken
Description
- Written by Green Day
- Produced by Butch Vig
- Released April 2009 by Reprise Records
Guide Review - Green Day - "Know Your Enemy"
Green Day cemented for themselves legendary status with their last album, the masterpiece American Idiot. With their follow up 21st Century Breakdown they are aiming for the same type of masterful punk pop opera following a couple through the dangers of a post George W. Bush world. "Know Your Enemy" does have some indications they could pull it off again, but this song is not a stroke of genius on par with the last album's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" or "Holiday."
The production from Butch Vig of Garbage is clear and muscular moving Green Day's drum and guitar attack far up in the mix. Those in need of a powerhouse singalong rock anthem this summer will need to look no further. Everything is polished a bit and highly melodic so that "Know Your Enemy" is certainly more power pop than punk. That point should serve Green Day well in garnering radio airplay.
We will still need to wait approximately a month for the rest of 21st Century Breakdown, but "Know Your Enemy" is a great appetizer for one of the most eagerly awaited albums of 2009.
