The follow up to American Idiot is finally here. Does the packaging match up to Green Day’s ambitious concept album?
There is nothing more disappointing than a band going all-out musically, but leaving you dry with stale album packaging. After all, if you are going to make a concept album as ambitious as the trio’s brand-new 21st Century Breakdown, shouldn’t the packaging be used to enhance the concept? Not only does Green Day do this, they went above and beyond to offer, in addition to the standard CD, a Best Buy-exclusive deluxe edition featuring a 52 page book of lyrics and extended art. Like the album’s tracklist, the lyric book is split up into three acts, with each song’s lyrics accompanied by elaborate artwork. Most of the art is depicted as graffiti being sprayed on a wall or various places – but they did a fantastic job making it tie into the themes of the album. One picture shows Christian and Gloria’s (the albums protagonists) bloody hands cuffed to each other while another shows them huddled together over a trash can with fire. It really gives you some insight into the hardships this couple endure during the story of this album. But even if you are the type that could care less about the concept, the album art/packaging is superb.
Unfortunately, the limited edition is only sold at Best Buy. But, I highly recommend over the regular. For one, the limited has more album art – and all of the art is in color. Unlike other limited editions, every picture in this package is utilized to enhance the story/theme. The regular edition also has about half of the art that is featured in the limited, but is in all black and white. But even if you have to settle for the regular, you will not be disappointed. The presentation is still incredible, and still lives up to albums grandiosity. However, you will be wishing you could see this in color.
Conclusion: Easily one of the best-packaged albums to come out this year. Green Day goes all out in delivering a package that flows with their concept album. Not only does it please the eyes, it enhances the story and themes to their epic story. Both editions are fine, but your money is best spent on the limited. For only $16.99, it is well worth it.
Video:
Packaging Review – 21st Century Breakdown [2009] from onethirtybpm on Vimeo.
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