Now let's begin with my perception of how Brand New progresses through each album, and as I get to them, I'll discuss they're overall theme. To me, each album is a period of time in life, and the moments that occur within it. In short, its about being young, and getting older and older.
Their first album, "Your Favorite Weapon" is generally the high school experience and all the angst and confusion that comes with this age. Most songs themes deal with heartbreak, (The No Seatbelt Song) jealousy (Jude Law and a Semester Abroad) and the anger of losing a friend to a relationship over the same person (Seventy Times Seven) ::listen to this one!:: More so, this album is a great representative for the bulk of the typical high school teenager. Another key track and terrific album opener is "The Shower Scene".
"Deja Entendu" is Brand New's sophomore effort, and it is a big progression from "Your Favorite Weapon". This is the album that put these guys on the map. With their semi-first single, "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows" and a music video to boot, Brand New started getting a nice cult following, including myself at this point :). This album starts to dissipate from all of the pressures of high school and faces a new challenge: change. In these songs you definitely feel the uncertainty of what lies ahead, with learning how the world of love and relationships (Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't) takes its toll on you by not completely knowing your role or understanding why there is so much pressure to fit into it all (Sic Transit Gloria). There is also the added fear of all you friends growing and changing and you not being able to keep up with them. One of the greatest, if not the best of their entire body of work alone, on this album is "Good To Know That If I Ever Needed Attention All I Would Have To Do Is Die". This kinds ties the whole album's theme together. All throughout are hints of a slight disconnection from friends, old loves and parents. The song that always grabs me off of this one is "Guernica". Just a favorite lyric - "...is this the way a toy feels when its batteries run dry. I am the watch you always wear, but you forget to wind." Other key tracks: "The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot" and "Tautou".
Up next is a my favorite and probably the best of their work so far, "The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me". When I first heard this I thought if it was really Brand New, haha. I knew it was Jesse's voice, but I was now expecting those sounds, and those lyrics...those lyrics!! I mean, what a change, what a growth! This album shows an almost spiritual growth in the band's style. With the opener, "Sowing Season (Yeah)", TDAGARIM gets a solid start, letting you know that things are going to be a lot different now. Life is hard, especially when you've lost all of your friends, and have realized that your going to be letting a lot of people down, including yourself at times (Milestone). The theme of this one has to do with accepting responsibility and the sacrifice that comes with becoming an adult with priorities, while at the same time questioning your morals on life and religion (Jesus). The just mentioned song is quite beautiful itself. My favorite and the song that glues this record together is "Degausser". There's a lot of talk about keeping yourself in the right, loving for the right reasons, and an undertone of what Gods reaction will be on Judgment Day. "Limousine" follows, with the lyrics at the end pleading "..I love you so much, but do me a favor baby don't reply. Cause I can dish out, but I can't take it." Oh, and let's not forget "Luca". This song is haunting, about cutting ties, accepting the constant of truth and how much anger can really consume someone. Other must-listen songs are "You Won't Know" and a great close to the album, "Handcuffs".
And now we come to a close, for now (hopefully) on Brand New as we reach their latest release, simple titled "Daisy". This album sees a very different and somewhat dark, heavier sound from the band. All of what Daisy represents is an overall feeling of being weighed down and jaded to how life will be. The album opener "Vices" begins with what sounds like the soundtrack to an old movie from forgotten times. Out of nowhere the song blasts and rockets you into the album, and abruptly "Bed" begins to play, with the refrain 'lie to all your friends' inter-laying between the lyrics of the song. Next up is the album's single "At the Bottom". This song pretty much encapsulates the tone, by stating fact that you are going to get old and you are going to grieve, love, live, hate, think, and ultimately die, just like everything else. But not all is gloom, here. Daisy has it's hints of hope in the title track, exclaiming that "if we take all these things and we bury them fast, and we pray that they turn to seeds, to roots, and then grass...it'd be all right". Other key tracks that tie the album together on a nice string bracelet that your best friend since grade school made for you: "Bought a Bride" "Noro" and a very personal favorite "You Stole".
Here's to hoping that this band continue to flourish and grow and expand their musical sound to new heights as time goes on. Cant wait for the next album, guys.
