This week, though it has only dropped a few degrees, I have already gotten in the car with two different people on two different occasions who have been listening to The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me. I have yet to fully embraced the inevitable fall playlist consisting of Brand New’s entire discography, but it is not far off in my future. Every October my Brand New collection assumes position in 4 of my 6 disc changer slots and the tradition begins. I don’t take it lightly when I say that Brand New is the band that metaphorically changed my life. I think they have done that for a lot of people though. Not so often do lost souls trying to find their place in this world come across a band that has incredible lyrics, mysterious album art, incendiary walls of sound and yet subscribes to the new-age hipster aesthetic while also nodding to nostalgia. Brand New is like no other. They are the band that manages to remain with the image of underground obscurity yet “Jesus Christ I’m alone again” is a phrase any twenty-something kid with tattoo and a tumblr can sing. Brand New is my favorite band.
With four albums and a fourteen-year career, Brand New has been all over the rock spectrum. With their first release Your Favorite Weapon having some of the most well known songs such as “Mixtape” and “Seventy times 7” it’s the only Brand New album that just doesn’t quite seem like it is even by Brand New. When I want to listen to Brand New, it isn’t exactly because I am in a pop punk mood and that is what their debut album was. Deja Entendu was a huge step for Brand New. This was the album that got me into Brand New. Nothing feels quite like winter as much as “The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot,” “Sic Transit Gloria…Glory Fades” and “The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows.” These songs are foundation of what Brand New is capable of. If there is an album that you would know by Brand New, it is The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me. This is one of those rare albums that you can listen to from start to finish without skipping a single song. With amazing tracks like “Degausser,” “Sowing Season” and “Jesus Christ” Brand New became everyone’s favorite band to feel emotional to. The album came out almost ten years ago and it still is relevant in the music scene.
Stream Brand New’s new song “Mene”
Brand New’s most recent album, and when I say recent, I mean 2009, takes a certain type of listener to enjoy. The first time I listened to Daisy I hated it and now I think it is a masterpiece. It is almost as if you have to earn the appreciation of it. “At the Bottom” is my favorite song from Daisy. Although Brand New hasn’t released an album in almost 7 years, they have released two new songs this year and fans are hoping to have new music to listen to soon. Brand New has been back on the road touring and are playing several dates this fall. I know I speak for many when I say I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a new album to make this winter the most emo one.
Tune into 90.5 Wednesday’s from 2 to 4pm or listen live at wusc.sc.edu to get your Brand New fix.
