It's been three years in the making but it's finally here; Brand New's latest effort, Daisy.
Now off the bat I will express that anyone hoping for another Deja Entendu will be disappointed. This album, although having some resemblance to Deja at a some moments, is a rugged noise-rock ballad.
The album opens with a sound clip of a woman singing what sounds like an old gospel tune. I was put off in a way at first because it seemed a bit strange to me. Jesse has said in interviews that he has a lot of various old tapes and hoped to use them. As I've given this album a few listens though, they've begun to grow on me.
The opening track "Vices" actual music doesn't kick in for about a minute. When it does begin though, it hits you hard and seemingly comes out of nowhere. Out of all the tracks on Daisy, this one is a far cry from anything we've heard from Brand New in the past. Although it may be hard to swallow at first, it gives a taste for what's to come.
The next track: "Bed," is a slower, more melodic showing. This one is the closest that any devout fans of Deja Entendu will relate to. With it's steady pace and inventive lyrics, it leaves you satisfied as it closes with a very eerie but quick guitar outro. "At The Bottom" seems like it would be better suited as a B-side as opposed to the first single off the album. Some of the lyrics seem to be lacking in this one more than any other track on the album. With lyrics like: "And there's a lake / and at the bottom you'll find all our friends / they don't swim 'cause they're all dead" seem a little too bland.
"Gasoline" is a track written entirely by Vin. I'm really pleased that Jesse passed the hat a bit and let Vin have more of a say in Brand New's musical direction. It's an excellent track with a very catchy drum beat. "You Stole" shows just how well Brand New can take a slower, more quiet track and come out of nowhere with raging guitar licks before returning to a more calm pace.
Next up is "Be Gone." It's basically a two minute gem with a catchy blues style acoustic guitar. The lyrics are almost entirely inaudible because of some effects, but it doesn't prove to be too bothersome. I like to view "Be Gone" as this albums "Untitled"(The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me). "Sink" is my favorite track of the album. I feel it conveys the most energy and emotion than any of the others. Jesse's screaming parts on this track really show just how well it has progressed throughout the years.
"Bought A Bride" is the first track of this album in which I was able to hear in it's rough form; as Jesse started playing it at his solo shows last year. The lyrics are well-written but I feel as though the guitar and drums could have been more involved. Overall though it's a fairly solid track.
The next track is "Daisy," the title track of the album. It begins similarly to "Vices" in that it uses another audio clip for a brief moment before the track. A man is heard introducing the classic tune "Just As I Am" before Jesse's voice kicks in. As it does,there begis a repetition of the lyrics "I am" for the verses. It's a short diddy, but an enjoyable one.
The album begins to close up with "In A Jar." The verses in this track again bring us with some very clever lyrics. I especially enjoy the line: "Maybe I should rest, but on the seventh day / I've created nothing and I'm wide awake." The chorus kicks in with some more of Jesse's semi-audible screaming before returning to his softer lines. This is the only track on the album that flows into the next one. "Noro" is also the last track here; it's also the longest. A very catchy guitar riff repeats as Jesse explains why he's "on his way to hell." The distortion begins to pick up as the song progresses and gives us one hell of an interesting sounding guitar solo until the very end. After the music in "Noro" ends, the album finishes with the same woman continuing to sing the song from the start of "Vices." This seemed to me as an odd way to end it, but leave it to Brand New to keep surprising their fans.
Overall, Daisy is an amazing effort to verge the gap between melody and sudden bursts of vocal energy. I don't believe it will be very well received by fans who didn't enjoy The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me, and it may even turn off some who view Deja Entendu as their best album. On a side note, it's the shortest album they have released in their near decade of putting out music. Brand New continues to progress in a different direction with every outing. I have to say, I'm still torn on whether I prefer this one over TDAG. Still, Daisy is a raw and edgy epic; and thus far for me, the best album this year. Don't miss it.
Cheers,
Sammers
