So take me out tonight. This ship of fools I’m on will sink. I’m my own stone around my neck. (If you’d) be my breath, there’s nothing I wouldn’t give. Lyrics like this can only make me imagine what kind of struggles Jesse Lacey and the boys of Brand New went through in the making of their third album and major label debut, “The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me.”
Whatever happened in their two year recluse, I will forever wonder. But the Long Island natives sure stepped away from their early punk-based sound and bashing Taking Back Sunday lyrics to their new Modest Mouse/Radiohead-esque vibe and one might even say, their most disturbing lyrics yet.
Brand New should look into getting a patent on changing their sound from CD to CD because like their completely different styles from their first album, “Your Favorite Weapon,” to their sophomore release, “Deja Entendu,” they’ve done it again with “The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me.”
Change does not necessarily mean bad, though, especially in Brand New’s case.
Their third album seems to be their most dark, disturbing and even mysterious album to this date, but at the same time, it could quite possibly be their best effort yet.
If as a Brand New fan you are looking for the old sound from “Your Favorite Weapon” and “Deja Entendu,” don’t be disappointed when that sound is lacking on the new album.
That being said, if you are a Brand New fan, you would not be surprised but expect such a drastic sound change from these guys.
It may have glimpses of other bands’ sound, but let me assure you that no other band can make a sound this unique and pure as Brand New.
One might get a glimpse of what this album has to entail by taking a look at the CD art above. The imagery on the cover can only portray an album as such. Although signing to a major record label, Interscope, for their newest record, the band shows that the transition took no toll on which direction they wanted to go with their music and new CD.
Most songs on the CD tend to start off with soothing calm guitars but then run straight into distorted riffs, walking hand in hand with heavy bass lines (Check out “Sowing Season(Yeah)” and “Degausser”).
Although Brand New has abolished pretty much all of their sound associated with their past two albums, they continue to astound me with their experimentation in breaking music boundaries.
Brand New brings life to a music scene where good looks and a fancy club dance (that we are all so fond of) outsells bands that affect our lives through their unavoidable passion for music.
Although some might not agree with me, this album tests and breaks the limits that are so easily forgotten today in music.
So to those few still out there, “Here, Here to Rock and Roll.” Bottom Line: 9.0/10