It was a tough choice this week with so many albums coming out (see next post for details of the others) but as a big Brand New fan I had to go for this one! 'Daisy' is the fourth studio album from Jesse Lacey and co. and, as with all their other albums, was produced by Mike Sapone(Taking Back Sunday, Crime In Stereo).I love each of Brand News first three albums. Every album has had a very different feel to it and each time you can see a progression in the maturity of the sound. Debut 'Your Favourite Weapon' was very much a full of energy, teenage angst album labelled by many to be 'emo' but for me more punk influenced rock. They followed this up with 'Deja Entendu' which maintained the slightly dark, post break-up lyrical content but had a progression in sound departing slightly from the punkier sounds of the debut. 'The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me' then came out with a more progressive and reflective sound and lyrics moving from talking of girls to a much more spiritual level. So where too next? What is the next natural progression for this band?
I never would have expected what I got from the album opener "Vices". Starting off with an old hymn warbled over clunky piano which abruptly gives way to Jesse Lacey's screams and chaotic guitars. I have to admit on my first listen it actually made me physically jump! This introduction is a signal of what is to come on the album with massive contrast between the calm and the chaotic. There is a real strength in the diversity on the album which really grabs your attention and doesn't let go.
The influences of their post-hardcore roots come through on tracks like "Gasoline", "Sink" and "In A Jar" where Jesse Lacey deomnstrates his ability to scream with the best of them. They haven't completely departed in style from previous albums with tracks like "You Stole", which for me is one of the highlights and would not have sounded out of place on 'Deja Entendu'.
I think the best way to describe this album both lyrically and musically is intense. As always seems to be the case with Brand New the lyrics are not exactly happy! The main themes seen on this album are fire, forests, loneliness and religion. Musically the massive tempo changes and guitar work ranging from the intricately technical to the chaotically heavy add to the emotionally exhausting ride this album takes you on.
Personally I love this album just like I have loved all of Brand News albums to date. It is the most out there, in some ways the most daring and ambitous but they pull it off with some distinction. It is maybe not as immediately accessible. I didn't love it from first listen but I was drawn in by it, fascinated by it and after a few more listens grew to love it. The usual Brand New trademarks of brilliantly biting lyrics, passion and technically brilliant guitars are all present and the invention and originality of it has really take them up a level. Rumour has it that this could be their swan song as album closer "Noro" states "I'm on my way out, I've tried, God knows that I've tried". If it is then I think it is a fine way to finish for an incredibly talented band but I really hope there is more to come! Either way I have tickets to see them at Wembley Arena in January and I can't wait! Check out 'Daisy' on Spotify
http://open.spotify.com/album/0Y8HZ5l1A03EhGySqYaEib
No comments:
Post a Comment