This is an amazing album from beginning to end. A great natural progression from Deja Entendu. From start to finish between the ambient vocals/guitars and nice layering of heaviness at the right times, Brand New really delivers here

An amazing album. can't wait to hear what they come up with next.

Posted by beaustir45 on 2007-11-16 02:50:34
My Score:

i was expecting this album to be harder because of the growing trend of bands getting harder
wrong it was soft and amazing

This album really is amazing.
The only thing Id like to add is that the song "Jesus Christ" is actualy not religious at all, you just need to look deeper than the forward lyrics suggest.
"Sowing Season (Yeah)" is also amazing, and Im a fan of "Not the Sun" as well.

Their new single, "Fork and Knife" is really good, and a little less 'emo' than The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me.

Posted by krid1987 on 2007-07-20 21:32:28
My Score:

A classic!

Posted by attemptx on 2007-07-14 13:02:23
My Score:

"the second instrumental, "Untitled," is completely unnecessary and -- here's where I'll say it -- should have been replaced by another of the demos/"Not the Sun" is not that great (save for the ace breakdown),"- I completely agree. I was not impressed at all with "Untitled" and Not In the Sun was my least favorite track, however after listening to it a few times it wasn't as whiny as I thought it was.

My favorite track was a tie between "Archers" and "Luca". At first I was very into "Milestone" and "You Won't Know", but the musicality of Archers won me over. I absolutely loved the drums in that song and I think they were almost better then the vocals. In Luca my favorite part was the end. Brand New always seems to end most of their songs with a verse that doesn't really match the rest of the song, but it normally is very good.

All in all I think this was their best attempt and [since I wasn't a HUGE fan of Deja] they defiantly got it together musically and lyrically.

-Attemptx

sooo overrated.

Posted by tylerdurden8136 on 2007-04-08 14:53:04
My Score:

I disagree. This album just gets better as time goes on.

Amazing. Colin needs to change the score to perfect.

Wow. This album was such a fall album. I mean, it's amazing, but going on spring, it's not as easy to enjoy.

Posted by Satelliteyrs on 2007-01-18 19:32:42
My Score:

damn good band

i love the cover on this album.
nicholas prior did a great job on it.
and as for the music on this album, i knew they would amaze me again and they followed through.i enjoy it.

Posted by cannsaw on 2006-11-30 16:41:59
My Score:

Upon hearing "The Sowing Season (Yeah)", my hopes were up quite a lot, but there's always been one thing about Brand New that bugs me, I mean most punk bands do their fast paced stuff and a slow song as a bonus, but Brand New seem to be the other way round and it can get quite tedious with all this slow, quiet acoustic stuff around, but when Brand New do belt out a heavy punk song, it can usually be worth the wait.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 1:26 PM (EST)
My Score:

For all of you BN hater's who ask the question "why won't this band die" You call yourselves punk's? Punk in our generation is extremely distorted.. Punk is nevermore, sad i know, but if your liking any of these bands that are calling themselves punk you are highly mistaken and maybe should buy some Rage against the Machine.. i hate to say it myself but their is no more punk and i dont think it can ever be revived, its been way to distorted. -

Back to brand new sorry to get off topic. Brand new started off with a pop-punk genre; they were kids, and for being pop punk they were the best pop-punk for their time by far. Even though they had the sketchy telephone lyrics.

Deja Entnedu was a dissapointment at first; Brand new was the only pop punk I listened to and god forbid i wanted to hear another pop punk CD by them again cuz they were the only ones that were good at it.. when i first got Deja Entendu I gave it a few spins and never listened to it again for about 4 months.. Gave it another try and listened to it more and more, and to this day its my favorite CD and i wish it still was; but im pissed because TDGARIM is growing on me i find this CD absolutely phenomonal

This sound by Brand New is not what I expected but "expected" and "Brand New" are oxy-morons in the same sentence.

Brand New without a doubt is EMO but that is exactly what they are They are EMO, the originallity of EMO, The God father's of EMO, not quite, Theyv'e got a progressive style of music that differ's from any band that I have ever heard. I would like to say more but i gotta go to do somethin with my life and go to physics...

Nicholas Cash
Ncostel1@kent.edu

I hear the Modest Mouse in Jesus Christ. Good call.

is it just me or does jesus christ kind of sound modest mousey? i love this album though

"Also worht mentioning is how much they're aiming for a Saddle Creek sound on this album. It sounds like Bright Eyes and Cursive in so many parts."

BN outdoes bright eyes by far on this album. The lyrics are actually thought-provoking instead of whiny pissy ramblings, and jesse's voice is superior in so many ways. Not only, but BN isn't afraid of completely rocking out ("You Won't Know, Degausser").

I couldn't really compare this to Cursive, I love both bands. I think musically, BN probably has the upperhand, but...Cursive has that mystique, that well, makes them Cursive, and it's not something that's very comparable. However, Cursive's new album was pretty dissapointing, and doesn't hold a candle to this.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 26, 2006 at 5:08 PM (EST)
My Score:

coca-cola was the b-side on the sowing season single. it was called "alco-acoc"

this album is so fucking good

"based on one listen it seems a bit unfocused and too many of hte songs seem to overstay their welcome...but the first 3 songs are outstanding, 'jesus christ' especially, probably my fav on the album, after one listen.

I won't grade it yet on the star scale, if I did that to 'entendu' it would have been a 7/10, after 6 months it turned into a 10/10, so I'll get back to you after listen number 20 with my final opinion on that. after one listen, its my least favorite brand new album, but still quite solid, with some very unique moments, musically and lyrically. brilliant at times really, yet another evolution of their sound, but not quite as drastic as the 'your favorite weopen'-'deja entendu' sound jump.

thats it for now"

I have never agreed more with a statement in my life. After 6 or 8 spins I am still wondering if this album is going to grab me the way the first two did. It's a solid listen, entertaining - no doubt, but just not what I was hoping for.

I haven't stopped listening to it. I just can't stop. And I agree, "Untitled" sounds really ackward and "Coca-Cola" would have been a much better song... but it doesn't kill the album at all. I hate to sound like the fan boy I am but, this band has never failed to make amazing music, and this is clear proof that they won't any time soon.

Posted by stricken on 2006-11-24 03:38:13
My Score:

good album.. a nice progression from Deja...... which is where i first started taking notice of the band. though the production does seem kinda off as Lacey's vocals are unintelligible part of the time.

including the lyrics would probably help my enjoyment.

i wonder how many $1 bills they'll be getting in the mail now.

Posted by ozmanx on 2006-11-24 03:11:40
My Score:

I don't get the hype on this band. My sis had their last album and it was boring, sounded just like every other band that was on the radio in that time.

Also worht mentioning is how much they're aiming for a Saddle Creek sound on this album. It sounds like Bright Eyes and Cursive in so many parts.

bright eyes I don't see, but cursive I certainly do. less abrasive and dissonant than cursive's strings and horns tend to get, though.

ummm all the songs have the same format and sound the same. Just as they have on all their albums. How long have these guys been around? Isnt it time for a little change?

have you ever even heard a brand new album? I could see little similarities on Your Favorite Weapon, but Deja Entendu...well. That's a no brainer. None of those songs sound similar, at all. Especially seeing as half of them were acoustic. and they have stellar changes in their music between each album.

you sir, are a dumbass. and probably tone deaf.

what demo number is coca-cola????

Also worht mentioning is how much they're aiming for a Saddle Creek sound on this album. It sounds like Bright Eyes and Cursive in so many parts.

Kanye Beat > Propagandhi

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 23, 2006 at 2:42 AM (EST)
My Score:

OVERRATEED, i don't get the hype this band gets. I really don't get it

1 dollar for the lyrics. Ouch, we have to pay to be blessed with his words. I like them, but not enough to pay for them.

this album makes me sad. not just cause it's so fucking depressing, but also because i know what it could have been.

as far as lyrics are concerned though, this is probably their best.

still... bah.

jamie lee curtis is a hermaphodite.. i would know. i banged her, then she returned the favor.

word.

this is a monster of a record. nice job writing music that's light years from "jude law".

"remedy" by The Game is an instant classic. he's dead fucking serious.

kramer isn't remotely funny or amusing. no mike, it isn't ok for white people who use the N word...EVER. especially when addressing black people who you do not know during a less-than-stellar stand up performace in los angeles...

turkey tomorrow. word up.

Happy birthday Jamie Lee Curtis!

Posted by swank on 2006-11-22 20:52:02
My Score:

Admittedly, I haven't spent enough time with this album as may be required to fully enjoy it, but thus far in my 2-3 trips through the album, the majority of it has failed to grab me. All of the songs seems a little too similar and alot too drawn out.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 5:24 PM (EST)
My Score:

I thought this boring when I first heard it. I think the first 5 tracks are really strong and then it gets pretty dull, despite the final track. If 6-9 were as solid as the rest of the material this disc might really be something. Nice to see these guys doing what they want, not the usual shit they could have stuck with when they were doing the pop/punk thing (which they were good at anyways).

p.p.s. they really should have included Coca Cola over handcuffs, or not the sun, or just threw it in anyway. that song is way too good not to be on here, and I agree, not the sun and handcuffs are kinda meh.

p.s. for people that like their old sound, listen to You Won't Know

ahh that song rips so hard

this cd is so fucking good

haven't heard the album - and won't. but teh cover artwork is rad.
-JIVES

Posted by fritobandito on 2006-11-22 13:15:29
My Score:

I liked this album way, WAY more than I thought I was going to. there aren't too many songs that absolutely blew me away, but those that did REALLY did. Jesus Christ and Degausser in particular. I've got a lot of respect for Brand New; they've made three very distinct, very progressive albums instead of making the same album three times in a row (like their contemporaries, Taking Back Sunday decided to do).

I LOVE brand new. But damn, Doesn't Jesse Lacey know that he can't be Morrissey. Its sad, really.

ummm all the songs have the same format and sound the same. Just as they have on all their albums. How long have these guys been around? Isnt it time for a little change?

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 4:35 AM (EST)
My Score:

very odd album, from the lyrics to the sounds...but i love every part of it.

"I never heard any track from Brand New but "The quiet things no one ever knows" I think this is the best band of the world.
When i heard to first this song I'd feel an unbelivible thing."

What the shit.

Go here (Dictionary.com), stick around for a few days, maybe try conversations in or around your home (don't stray too far), then come back here. Wait...are you foreign?

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 3:07 AM (EST)
My Score:

I never used to like Brand New, and I think this record is pretty good. It's weird how they went from generic punk-emo (or whatever you'd want to call it) on their first album and have now ended up at this.

I never heard any track from Brand New but "The quiet things no one ever knows" I think this is the best band of the world.
When i heard to first this song I'd feel an unbelivible thing.

DeprEcation.

I haven't heard a single song from this album but based on the fact that you found much of deja entendu amazing I'll just assume I should pass. Brand New is another bareable but easily discarded pop/punk/whatever band that the kiddies will wax poetic about until they turn 17, and then completely forget. That's what I did at least.

Posted by coldwaffles on 2006-11-21 23:35:59
My Score:

Benz, this albums is not mostly acoustic, and it contains most of Brand New's heaviest songs.

But yeah, this album is fucking ace. I give it a 10 cause i cant give a 9.5.

based on one listen it seems a bit unfocused and too many of hte songs seem to overstay their welcome...but the first 3 songs are outstanding, 'jesus christ' especially, probably my fav on the album, after one listen.

I won't grade it yet on the star scale, if I did that to 'entendu' it would have been a 7/10, after 6 months it turned into a 10/10, so I'll get back to you after listen number 20 with my final opinion on that. after one listen, its my least favorite brand new album, but still quite solid, with some very unique moments, musically and lyrically. brilliant at times really, yet another evolution of their sound, but not quite as drastic as the 'your favorite weopen'-'deja entendu' sound jump.

thats it for now

paul

" I'd say the strongest point of the record is guitarist Vin Arcadia's ability to take these total pop riffs and transform them to incredibly depressing echoes of faults, in the same way Jesse Lacey has taken his absolutely magnificent voice and uses it to do nothing but depress you."

great sentence colin, good point.

Paul

Posted by baseball on 2006-11-21 22:12:53
My Score:

it seems like a lot of people are writing this off after one listen...let it sink in

great, again

Posted by Jimbojones on 2006-11-21 21:06:45
My Score:

Really good review. I completely agree with the listening of this album through headphones. First time i chucked it on, i was really, really disappointed. I gave it a bit of a chance considering how long i've waited for it, and you start picking up on those little things that make this album whole.

I don't know what it is about instrumentals, but they always seem to shit me, so thats my biggest complaint about this album. But a good effort none the less.

Posted by benz on 2006-11-21 21:03:19
My Score:

I listened to what they had on myspace (their full album stream). I wasn't really impressed at all. Most of the songs sound very similar and overall the whole thing is just boring, flat out.

I liked their past two releases, but this one seems like a band aching to sound "mature", but instead come off as sounding like AM radio lite. There are definetly moments, especially the second to last I think, with the tape loop repeating.

I know the argument against me will be that I think it's boring because it's almost entirely acoustic and low to mid tempo. This, however, is hot true, as some of my favorite albums follow that format (I have a review posted here: http://www.punknews.org/review/4368).

The problem is that there is extremely little variety and the lyrics oftentimes come off as much more melodramatic than even what I think the band had planned. Maybe I need to listen to it more, but I'm afraid I'll just fall asleep.

-benz

i wont hold it to the standard that deja enendu set. i could care less what you have to argue, that album is one of the best I've ever heard. so far though, things are looking good.

If you cannot discern the difference between Brand New and My Chemical Romance, God help you.

Another biased review, I don't know what to think when you're a funboy for this band and a hater of MCR. Where's the objectivity? Both bands can have similar pop-bandwagon jumping criticisms thrown at them.

i am hardly a brand new fanboy.

i would give your favorite weapon a 7/10 and deja a 5 or 6/10.

this is just really good music.

Dude. How can you hate Jawbreaker, minus Box Car?

Sarcasm.

Posted by Not-To-Regret on 2006-11-21 19:22:07
My Score:

Another biased review, I don't know what to think when you're a funboy for this band and a hater of MCR. Where's the objectivity? Both bands can have similar pop-bandwagon jumping criticisms thrown at them.

Dude. How can you hate Jawbreaker, minus Box Car?

how can you hate Boxcar?!?!

Posted by boba_fett on 2006-11-21 18:45:49
My Score:

i found some of the songs to be a little too long, but i guess brand new has always been into long songs. i do find myself skipping the end of a lot of tracks though.

but its ok, this album is at least as good as deja entendu.

Posted by bombshoes on 2006-11-21 18:37:55
My Score:

wow, i've never agreed with a review more.
it's almost as if i wrote this review myself..

Degausser is one of the best songs I've heard in a long time. Kudos to them.

Posted by Godfather on 2006-11-21 17:10:20
My Score:

one of the most overrated bands EVER

We all hate Jawbreaker and love Social D.

Dude. How can you hate Jawbreaker, minus Box Car?

for who started out as an average, very wet behind the ears band of limited range beyond the youth it was directed to (and what band at the start isn't), I found the 2nd album a suprise. It's a keeper. Hell, I even bought it with physical cash money.

So I'm going to give this a spin.

I don't think its fair to blame some 'punk mentality' for some people disliking the 2nd album. I certainly thought it had to have been a different band than the 1st record, and lets be honest, no one likes the other side of the coin, where people are proclaiming the 2nd album to be some stroke of music and lyric "genius".

If there is any one quality that endeared me to brand new since that 2nd record its been their keen awareness not to take the "genius", fawning aspect of music fandom seriously, and actually critique it.

So hopefully, this record will do the only thing music really can do - a spot of reprieve, then back to life.

wyzo

Completly Amazing.

Posted by treos on 2006-11-21 16:07:12
My Score:

Sweet review by the way, says what everyones thinking.

score is for the review and the album

DEFENITELY dig the post rock influence, and my favorite to date. Standout tracks include Degausser, sowing season and Archers

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 3:56 PM (EST)
My Score:

Just like their last cd starts off strong ends very, very weak. The last 2 or 3 tracks are not really worth listening to.

there's some good stuff on this album, but for the most part i don't like it very much

but i will say this: sowing season is a very very good song

this album feels what it would be like if you took a number of different aspects from the "post-rock" thing, and added vocals to it.

i get that impression after one listen, mind you.

either way, i enjoyed it.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 2:48 PM (EST)
My Score:

this record rocks my November and will rock my December

Posted by thekidscaneatabagofdicks on 2006-11-21 14:39:19
My Score:

There is alot of hate out there for you colin. But, based on your reveiw I'll give this disc a chance. Score is for the review.

Overrated

i really like that album cover.

"disappointed that fanboy got to review this.

real boring, slow, goes nowhere.

no thanks.

-dusticles"

True. But I, myself, am not a fanboy, and I think Colin's pretty close to truth in what he says, save for some added enthusiasm that comes from being a huge fan.
My one sentence assessment is this: The album isn't very catchy, but it's about as good as an album can be without being catchy. Whenever I listen to it, I don't find myself getting bored at all. I'm totally immersed in it. All the songs are a bit samey, but it's definitely their best album. I've never really liked them before this, save for "Jude Law And A Semester Abroad".

Is the song Jesus Christ really about Jesus Christ? Is the singer religious?

Posted by OverDefined on 2006-11-21 12:53:20
My Score:

Got a promo of this a few days ago. I think it's boring.

my friend at work deserves this album more than anyone else i know. this one was written for you, dude. much love and respect. life is hard.

Posted by somegirl on 2006-11-21 11:26:12
My Score:

The first time I heard this I wasn't impressed until it was over and I wanted to hear everything again. Some parts of it are so catchy.

Score is for the review-- it's possibly the fairest review I'm going to see for this album.

"it fucking blows my mind that some of you oioioi punk assholes can't admit how lyrically and musically mindblowing deja entendu is"

hey man, Fuck You! Oi! Oi! Oi!

heh, heh, heh

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 11:10 AM (EST)
My Score:

i tried but this one lost me when i realised i was into the third song and i remembered nothing about the first 2

"it fucking blows my mind that some of you oioioi punk assholes can't admit how lyrically and musically mindblowing deja entendu is"

i don't find it lyrically or musically mindblowing. i actually find it boring. Now, because of that, am I an oioioipunk asshole?

I sort of see their demos as their third album, and this as their fourth.

I like the demos more, but this is totally rad too.

i thought the demos were complete shit.

but this album really is outstanding and i don't even like brand new.

Then again "Sic Transit Gloria" was my least favourite song on Deja for a long time before so there is hope.

"Sic Transit Gloria" was priceless lyrically, the only song better than it on "Deja Entendu" was "Okay I Believe You, byt My Tommy Gun Don't" or the third song.

Nice Review. I agree with most of the things you said except your love for "Luca" maybe it hasnt clicked with me yet. Then again "Sic Transit Gloria" was my least favourite song on Deja for a long time before so there is hope.

Posted by kingofsuck on 2006-11-21 08:22:12
My Score:

I agree with most of this review. I know you don't like "Not the Sun" very much, but I like it quite a bit. "Untitled" is kind of unnecessary, but I don't think it takes away from the album that much. I should also mention that I never heard the demos, so I don't have a song that I wish had made it on.

I'd also like to say that before this album, I was a casual Brand New fan at best, but I fucking love this record.

I'm buying this today. Can't wait, hopefully it's as good as people are saying.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 6:35 AM (EST)
My Score:

i hate colin so much

"good thing that isn't a way to judge a record. oh wait, maybe it is with a childish attention span."

Listening to the whole album isn't a good way to judge a record?

Damn. There go all my judgements... of albums... ever.

i love this album

We all hate Jawbreaker and love Social D.

what if I love both?

"good thing they streamed this album on myspace ... otherwise I would have bought it tomorrow without hearing it and wasted my money"

good thing that isn't a way to judge a record. oh wait, maybe it is with a childish attention span.

Posted by danperrone on 2006-11-21 02:23:40
My Score:

this album should be so much better

this is thirteen versions of "i believe you but my tommy gun don't"

Great review. Even if you hate the band/album, this is well-written.

I can't wait to get this.

Posted by tylerdurden8136 on 2006-11-21 02:20:24
My Score:

To the guy below, yeah, you're right. We all hate Jawbreaker and love Social D.

You're a regular here, aren't you?

it fucking blows my mind that some of you oioioi punk assholes can't admit how lyrically and musically mindblowing deja entendu is. along with dear you and clarity, i consider it one of the most complete records of the last decade. it has few flaws; and they are minor.

i have held out on listening to this cd, and i have never been more excited about purchasing a cd in my life.

but to all the ignorant punx!11111 on here, you're missing out on some really fantastic music, simply because it's not social d.

and that's sad.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 2:03 AM (EST)
My Score:

i freaking love it.

if you dont like it, you dont get it, so drop it and calm down. everyone isnt supposed to like the same music - that wouldnt be very much fun now would it?

amazing album.

Totall agree with the review. This album has such good parts that when you stumble on the rare "bad" moments it ticks you off and makes it that much worse. The production is stellar, you have to listen to it with headphones on to really appreciate it. yeah really fantastic album put not perfect 8/10.

disappointed that fanboy got to review this.

real boring, slow, goes nowhere.

no thanks.

-dusticles

i said it before, might as well say it again.

this band is crap.

will someone tell me what makes Brand new so liked. I mean yeah I like um, but some people are like obsessed with them. I really don't get it???

Oh yeah and...Vince Arcadia? As in Joan Of...?

I really can't see much connection between this and Deja Entendu. I've only listened to this once though, and I'm anxious to hear it again and break it down.

I've only listened to the few songs that originally leaked because I didn't want to spoil it for myself. Your review keeps me excited but I have to disagree with your Deja assesment that album is amazing.

is that really the cover? you serious clark?

this album is fucking incredible. yes, it's not perfect...but perfection is rare. and to the loser who asked why this band won't die..it's pretty obvious...they still are able to make an amazing album..even if you don't like it.

Posted by BrendanKelly on 2006-11-21 00:34:08
My Score:

decent

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 12:33 AM (EST)
My Score:

good thing they streamed this album on myspace ... otherwise I would have bought it tomorrow without hearing it and wasted my money

Posted by Anchors on 2006-11-21 00:31:23
My Score:

Definitely spot on with the score.

Degausser, Millstone, You Won't Know, Limosuine, and Jesus Christ are easily some of the best songs they've ever written, but it's not perfect, and I know that's what everyone was hoping for.

Still, a tremendous record, and one that I'll be listening to for quite some time.

straight garbage. why wont this band die?

Stoked to finally buy/hear this in 12 hours. Assumingly worth the wait.