Brand New - The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me
Brand New is a alternative rock band from Long Island, New York. They are currently made up of band members Jesse Lacey, (lead vocals, rhythm guitarist) Vincent Accardi, (lead guitarist, backing vocals) Brian Lane, (drums) Garrett Tierney, (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Derrick Sherman. (keyboards, guitars, backing vocals) They have at this time released four studio albums: Your Favorite Weapon, Deja Entendu, The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me, and Daisy. I would like to focus this post on their third release, 2006's The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me.
Brand New are not known for being a "happy" band by any means. Often dark and personal, Jesse Lacey's lyrics tend to focus on the more tragic aspects of human life. Dealing with themes of isolation, death, self-depreciation and loss, Brand New paints a draining portrait of existence. The music itself often transitions from soft, sorrowful moments to loud, cathartic exclamations that helps amplify the mental and emotional confusion represented in the lyrics. However, despite the album's overall depressing tone, there is certain appreciation for life that creeps out of the songs that makes living satisfying once again.
1. Sowing Season (Yeah)
The album's opener starts off very slowly with only light instrumentation and soft vocals. However, by the time the chorus kicks in, this picture of serenity is shattered with the simple word, "Yeah." With that word, the music explodes along with the vocals to create an overall satisfying listen and a promising start to the album. Sowing Season creates a good example of the abrasive, yet brutally honest, nature of this album.
2. Millstone
To put it bluntly, this is a very harsh song. With opening lyrics, "I used to be such a burning example/I used to be so original/I used to care I was being cared for/Made sure I showed it to those that I loved," Millstone expresses a sense of nostalgic regret, both longing to return to more innocent times and desiring to right past wrongs. Mournful, even by Brand New standards, this is just the openness I love to hear from Brand New.
3. Jesus
Similar to Millstone, this song has a feeling of intense regret for failures in the past. Jesus adds another flavor to the mix by showing uncertainty and doubt plague a troubled mind.
4. Degausser
Degausser is another one of Brand New's more "quiet" songs, but it still manages to get its point across quite well. A well placed group chant makes this song for me, as it shows just how well Brand New is at conveying their thoughts in creative ways.
5. Limousine
This is undoubtedly one of the most depressing songs I've ever heard. Focused on the tragic tale of Katie Flynn, a 7-year old who was decapitated after her aunt's wedding in a car crash, this song starts off bleak, but grows into a anthem for the appreciation of life. I think Brand New not only wanted to tell a story, but they want their listeners to reflect on the life they're leading and to enjoy it now, because it will end eventually.
6. You Won't Know
Another song like Sowing Season that starts off very quiet, but erupts into a fast paced and in your face song in the chorus. I think if Brand New has any definite strength, it's their ability to combine contrasting loud and soft sounds in the matter of seconds if necessary.
7. Welcome to Bangkok
Unlike the typical Brand New song, Welcome to Bangkok contains no vocals. This is a bit of a creepy song with very intense instruments. I may not be entirely sure what the purpose of this song is, but I wouldn't replace it. It works as an excellent bridge to the rest of the album.
8. Not the Sun
Not the Sun starts off with a quick bass introduction and is followed by strangely upbeat guitar chords. This song is more reminiscent of their older material, which is a nice throwback. Despite the more pop rock sound, this songs still fits in well with the rest of the album and is one of my personal favorites.
9. Luca
If I would label this song as anything, I'd call it haunting. Lacey's vocals and lyrics create an eerie and suspicious atmosphere that left me wondering what direction this song was heading in when I first heard it. They didn't let me down though and were able to wrap the song up nicely. Luca is probably one of the best songs on the album.
10. Untitled
A short, simple and quick song. Nothing extravagant, but I respect it for its simplicity.
11. The Archers' Bows Have Broken
Lacey experiments with a more unconventional style of singing here that was a little hard for me to get used to. I used to think that this was the weakest song on the album, but after a while it grew on me. The vocals may be different but they do add a lot to the song. The instruments here have a strong presence and manage to add just enough at the right moments to make this a great song.
12. Handcuffs
The acoustic guitar driven closer makes the perfect end to The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me. Calm, yet just as dark as Brand New's other songs, I think Handcuffs manages to lull the listener to some sense of serenity as the album finishes.
This is undoubtedly one of the most depressing songs I've ever heard. Focused on the tragic tale of Katie Flynn, a 7-year old who was decapitated after her aunt's wedding in a car crash, this song starts off bleak, but grows into a anthem for the appreciation of life. I think Brand New not only wanted to tell a story, but they want their listeners to reflect on the life they're leading and to enjoy it now, because it will end eventually.
6. You Won't Know
Another song like Sowing Season that starts off very quiet, but erupts into a fast paced and in your face song in the chorus. I think if Brand New has any definite strength, it's their ability to combine contrasting loud and soft sounds in the matter of seconds if necessary.
7. Welcome to Bangkok
Unlike the typical Brand New song, Welcome to Bangkok contains no vocals. This is a bit of a creepy song with very intense instruments. I may not be entirely sure what the purpose of this song is, but I wouldn't replace it. It works as an excellent bridge to the rest of the album.
8. Not the Sun
Not the Sun starts off with a quick bass introduction and is followed by strangely upbeat guitar chords. This song is more reminiscent of their older material, which is a nice throwback. Despite the more pop rock sound, this songs still fits in well with the rest of the album and is one of my personal favorites.
9. Luca
If I would label this song as anything, I'd call it haunting. Lacey's vocals and lyrics create an eerie and suspicious atmosphere that left me wondering what direction this song was heading in when I first heard it. They didn't let me down though and were able to wrap the song up nicely. Luca is probably one of the best songs on the album.
10. Untitled
A short, simple and quick song. Nothing extravagant, but I respect it for its simplicity.
11. The Archers' Bows Have Broken
Lacey experiments with a more unconventional style of singing here that was a little hard for me to get used to. I used to think that this was the weakest song on the album, but after a while it grew on me. The vocals may be different but they do add a lot to the song. The instruments here have a strong presence and manage to add just enough at the right moments to make this a great song.
12. Handcuffs
The acoustic guitar driven closer makes the perfect end to The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me. Calm, yet just as dark as Brand New's other songs, I think Handcuffs manages to lull the listener to some sense of serenity as the album finishes.
Haha, I used to LOVE this album. I got it when it came out and listened to it a ton. Haunting, beautiful little thing. "You won't know" is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteBut then I went and saw them back at the end of...I guess it was 2007...in Myrtle Beach. And Jesse was so strung out on something that he just poorly screamed the whole time. Works on some of the songs but was annoying when he butchered some of the songs (especially Milestone). I left rather disappointed.
You Won't Know is one of my favorites as well.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear that you didn't have a good experience seeing them live. I've heard that they are an excellent live band when they're all in one piece.