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`The shape-shifting Brand New is a band that many lump into the “alt-rock” category. Their nine-year-old discography shows the group moving through genres such as punk-rock, emo, folk, indie-rock and the “alternative” sounds reminiscent of bands like Modest Mouse and Radiohead.
Their newest release, “Daisy,” released on September 22 and continues to weaken boundaries assumed by their previous labels; making the band all the more difficult to classify.
For fans and followers, “Daisy” is a continuation of the emotionally packed, atypical song structures found on their last album, “The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me.”
The first track, “Vices,” opens with a disconcerting hymnal; a sample that envelops the album by appearing again at the end of “Noro,” and suddenly shifts into the loudest, brashest song Brand New has written.
Jesse Lacey chooses screaming vocals, which bring to mind some of the songs on their 2003 release, “Deja Entendu.”
However, this unexpected charger does not represent the majority of sound in the album because the next two songs, “Bed” and “At The Bottom,” slow down and mellow out.
These tracks, along with “You Stole” and “Daisy,” show Brand New’s most recognizable sound.
Delicate guitar work, preformed and written primarily by guitarist Vince Accardi, and vocals construct a brooding groove that builds tension, which is perfectly broken by crashing drums and at times, Lacey’s loudness.
His voice soars and it cracks. His screams and whispers even come off as honed and practiced. Also, layering is often a gimmick for many bands, but Brand New masters the technique and makes it seem effortless and natural.
This provides the somewhat gloomy album with a sound not far from beautiful.
Lacey’s lyrical content has progressed along with the band’s instrumentals.
His words are piercing, chilling, and rhythmic, and they seem to fit nicely in the common mood that pervades the last album: disheartenment. “You Stole,” one of the standout tracks on “Daisy,” may contain some of the lowest lyrics on the album: “So we just hurry up only to wait/And add to the list of all the places we hate/And I’ll pretend like I’ve got something to say but I’ve got nothing.”
Christian spirituality and religious iconography comprises a portion of the lyrics as well, although it verges not on any form of evangelism.
These images are almost as pessimistic as the rest of the album. With the closing track, “Noro,” leaving the listener with, “Well, God knows I’ve tried/I’m on my way to hell,” it is easy to feel that hope is not Lacey’s strong suit.
With despair aside, “Daisy” is a success. Many can safely say that Brand New have labored their way over the last five years to a sound like no other.
The fact that they flawlessly weave beautifully brooding music with lyrical moroseness is impressive and pleasant.