Brand new released their last (third) album, The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me (2006), three years ago now. The mysterious band from Long Island had fans itching to get at the very least a brief listen into what the new album might sound like. Would it be as drastic of a change as was the transition from their second album, Deja Entendu (2003), to their third album, or would it follow in the same direction as their dark and brooding previous work? But now with the new album (Daisy) being released fans can either rejoice or complain. If they’re wise they should be more than satisfied.
Brand New is a band that openly admits they don’t care what their fans want to hear. They play what they want to, and make music that they want to hear. Die hard fans are aware of this and just accept any change the band generates. What keeps fans is this certain appeal, this certain aurora that the band possesses. It’s something to do with the honesty in the music that few bands can attempt to rival. Daisy is a tad bit different then anything they’ve done before due to the fact that guitarist Vin Accardi wrote almost every song, where as in previous efforts singer/guitarist Jesse Lacey was the master song writer. Regardless, it is still very much Brand New, and Jesse has even stated that he and Vin have grown so close over the years everything he would write, Jesse feels the same way.
The album starts out what sounds like an old record being played and a woman belting out a heartfelt tune only to be loudly interrupted by what is quite possibly the band’s hardest song ever, vices. This sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the entire album. While there are a handful of mellow, slower songs, they all contain rather dark subject matter. The first single is a song called At the Bottom. One of the better songs on the album in my opinion and features something new from the band and is scattered elsewhere in a few different songs. The newness is the very southern rock vibe some of the guitars give off and even Jesse’s vocals. There are some songs that don’t work quite as well. Two are really similar and share almost the same formula; Sink and In A Jar. Start off with a strong almost southern rock feel, to only explode into chaotic not so catchy screaming layered over guitars that are all over the place. Top 3 songs are: Bought a Bride, Daisy, and Noro. Those three in my opinion pack the most emotion, thoughtful lyrics and catchiness that should have fans old and new rejoicing.
8.5 out of 10
