Some American

a considered opinion: brand new - daisy

I’m probably the last person one would expect to review a record by Brand New, an act whose over-wrought screamo underpinnings violate my tastes in music at their most fundamental level. Worse than that is specific my frustration with frontman Jesse Lacey, a musician who I feel is immensely talented but has continued to stay in a very defined corner throughout his recording career. When discussing Brand New with friends of mine who are fans, my number one objection is always that the music just isn’t adventurous enough and that the band is playing it safe.

While not a KID A-style left turn for the band, Daisy indicates divergence for Brand New’s sound. It is a difficult listen, one eschews its emo heritage (for the most part) and embraces subtle layering, a more mature outlook, indie rock and even a bit roots music nostalgia. Throughout I heard touches of Isaac Brock, the Dillinger Escape Plan, and even the YYY’s Nick Zinner; all of which caused a great deal of consternation for the band’s usual audience I’m sure. But as I don’t count myself amongst that group, I found every tempo shift, unexpected stylistic departure, and discordant flourish to be surprising and engaging, particularly on the two tracks that book end the album, “Vices” and “Noro.”

Unfortunately the great leap forward made by some of the song writing makes the inadequate lapses back into the band’s more standard format disappointing. The middle of the album really suffers because of it, transitioning from the slow, palm-muted mediocrity of track “You Stole” in such close proximity to the bizarre and adventurous swamp-stomp of track  ”Be Gone” that it almost feels like a mistake. The peaks and valleys only continue on from there.

Lacey has gone on record as saying that he feels that Daisy represents the band at a crossroads, and that he wasn’t sure if the band could continue on in its current form. I can certainly hear what he’s saying, as the stylistic tug of war going on throughout the album is very jarring. Whatever his feelings on the matter, and while I’m sure that the album left most the band’s audience feeling luke warm, I can say for sure that I want more of the new Brand New that Daisy displayed and less of the old.

Some American RECOMMENDS about 2/3 of Brand New - Daisy

Brand New - Be Gone

Brand New - Noro