Know Your Enemy Green Day Reviewed By : Michael Simon

Following on from the phenomenal hit album 'American Idiot', Green Day's first new single in quite some time sees the band at half steam compared to the career high that preceded it. Whereas the groundbreaking concept album of 2004 elevated the three-piece to a new level musically, 'Know Your Enemy' doesn't seem to have much to say, The track features a distinctly simple melody, a noisy guitar riff and what sounds rather like the same line being repeated over and over. It is a moderately catchy line, emphasising the pop over the punk for some revolutionary fist-pumping rallying that should do a nice of job of filling the lulls in the setlist.

But, while 'Know Your Enemy' is perfectly fine as a rather vague protest song, it certainly doesn't add to the impression of the band's new found maturity. Also, as a rallying song against apathy and misinformation, it seems a bit six months ago (see Eminem's 'We Made You' for some dated Sarah Palin references). Slightly hokey in its own right, it's an interesting teaser of what we might be in for on '21st Century Breakdown'.

6/10

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