sean-reid's Blog
| | | Album Review: Brand New - Daisy |
Today I finally got round to sitting down and reviewing the much-talked about 'Daisy' by Brand New.
I did it to the best of my ability and not from a fans perspective. If as a fan of the band, I won't over-hype this album, as it dosn't really deserve it.
I'm going to assume people on this site will jump and defend this album to death. That's fine by me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect that.
However I also assume alot of these people are "fanboys (or girls)", who will defend a band no matter what they do. In their eyes the can do no wrong. But people have to realise no one or no band is perfect.
That is exactly what 'Daisy' is. Not Perfect.
Here is the review. | | Tags: brand new, daisy, album review, alterthepress, |
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| | First Impressions (kind of): Brand New - Daisy |
Since leaking at the weekend and causing a bit of a stir on several music forums, Brand New's 4th full-length, 'Daisy' has caused much discussion and split opinion.
After a few listens (about 4/5), it can be said Brand New continue to progress and be a somewhat, innovative band. At first 'Daisy' is uneasy to listen to, with Jesse Lacey's screaming and shouting, on top of what seems a messy record.
However on further listens, you get used to it but it is not a record that flows easily. Tracks like 'Gasoline', 'Vices' and 'Bought a Bride' become favourable, whilst 'Bed' and 'You Stole' could be skipped.
As a fan of Brand New, I won't be a 'fanboy' and say its "record of the year" or their "greatest album". Far from it, 'Daisy' at times to unaccesiable and it may, dare I say it, alienate fans.
It is a record that needs time to grow, and may not be to everyone's liking. This is basically because Brand New are the type of band, that don't make an album for the fans, they take the 'selfish' route and have made an album for themselves.
(expect a full review on AlterThePress.com in a few weeks) | | Tags: Brand New, Daisy, First Impression, |
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| | | | | | Classic Album Review: Brand New - Deja Entendu |
"Deja Entendu" was Brand New's second album and The title is French, literally translating to "already heard," which is said to be at critics who claimed that the band sounded like every other group in the genre. The band's previous release 'Your Favorite Weapon' was seen as a more Pop-Punk record but with "emo" lyrics basically because Jesse Lacey's songwriting was more intelligent and more thought-out than the various Pop-Punk bands around at the time.
This basis of intelligent lyrics was expanded on"Deja Entendu" which was released in June 2003 on Triple Crown Records. The album weaves it way in with the slow and soothing opening track, "Tautou" before kicking into the bassline of single, "Sic Transit Gloria... Glory Fades". A song which is about a troubled relationship, where the boy is being pressured into sex by the girl; the opposite to what you would expect.
"I Will Play My Game Beneath the Spin Light" starts off with Lacey strumming an acoustic guitar and singing about life on the road. Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't" is an egostical song with Lacey boasting about himself and hoping the song becomes more than him or the band before the song goes into a loud chorus with Lacey confessing he wants to be believe in the band's own ability.
"The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows" was the lead single for the album and it starts off with a quiet guitar before it kicks in. The chorus is a battle of words between Lacey and guitarist Vincent Accardi and then the breakdown see's Lacey saying he will lie only for the one he loves and that he is a good liar.
"The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot" is mostly an acoustic song with a simple beat. "Me vs. Maradona vs. Elvis" is a slow and dark affair which gives the image that Lacey is going to do something wrong to a girl. "Guernica" was written about Jesse's grandfather dying of cancer and this is shown throughout with lyrics such as
"Please use my body while I sleep
My lungs are fresh and yours to keep,
kept clean and they will let you breathe"
Despite the negative lyrical imagery of the track, the song itself is a loud and angry.
"Good to Know That If I Ever Need Attention All I Have to Do Is Die" I have to admit is a little depressing with the ear-screeching start and slow guitar and beat before a typical rock chorus is used. The remainder of the track see's the band showing it's musical talent.
"Play Crack The Sky" is the closing track and is an all-acoustic song. It see's Lacey telling a story of a ship being attacked by a fierce storm before stating "this is the end" with Lacey and his band members vocals making a near haunting sound, as with the backvocals being held on.
What Deja Entendu Means To Me?
Brand New are my favorite band and Jesse Lacey is a genius! There I said it, plain and simple. I knew very little about Brand New when I brought this album, I had already heard the 2 singles and vaguely remember seeing the video for "Jude Law and a Semester Abroad" on TV. I remember useless pieces of information, in this case I remember I brought this on the day I went to see Blink 182 at Nottingham arena, my first ever gig. I also remember the promotional sticker on the front of the CD, the ones that have excerpts from reviews, saying it's brilliant and giving it 5 stars etc. In the case of this album, it was very true. This album is through and through amazing.
From the moment it starts it hooks you in with a band that know who they are and what they want. As I have stated numerous times throughout my review, Jesse Lacey's songwriting is 10 out of 10. Untill then I had never known an album where the song's were so intelligently written. There was just something about them that stood out.
I have to admit I can't really describe what this album means to me but I know it's important to me. It's influenced me as the person I am today. It's helped when I've been down or angry or when I need soemthing to lift me.
So why are Brand New my favorite band? Well I don't know what it is but they have that special something about them, maybe it's they have managed to distance themselves from all the other "emo" bands etc? maybe it's because they rarely do interviews and prefer to let the music do the talking for them? maybe it's because Jesse Lacey is a fucking lyrical genius? maybe it's all of these and more?
I highly recommend if you don't know who Brand New are or have never gave them a chance (then why havn't you?), then you should because you are missing out on something special. | | Tags: Album Review, Brand New, Classic Album Review, Deja Entendu |
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