Brand New: ‘The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me’
Rating: 4/5
Tracks to download: “Jesus Christ,” “Luca,” “Millstone”
For fans of: Straylight Run, Jack’s Mannequin, The Starting Line
Brand New’s latest album, “The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me,” was a shock to hear at first. It sounds completely different from their previous albums, “Your Favorite Weapon” and “Deja Entendu,” and it took me a few listens before I could really think of it as the Brand New I love. But after three years (“Deja Entendu,” their last album, was released in June of 2003), some change should be expected, and in this case, change is good.
The album has a more mature sound than the older two, and the musicians seem to have become more proficient at their instruments, or at least more willing to experiment. “Luca” has an almost classic rock feel, sounding something like a throwback to an older era. Most of the songs have a much heavier sound than those in “Your Favorite Weapon” or “Deja Entendu,” and the album has more variety between songs. “Not the Sun,” for example, sounds very different from their other songs, which is a little bit refreshing despite the slightly trite lyrics. With that exception, most of the lyrics are well-written. “Sowing Season (Yeah),” the opener, has especially poetic lyrics, as does “You Won’t Know.”
While poetic, the lyrics in “The Devil and God” are pretty depressing and even slightly morbid, not unlike those in “Your Favorite Weapon” and “Deja Entendu.” The chorus of “Jesus Christ,” a ballad, is “And I, will die/all alone/and when I arrive/I won’t know anyone.” This kind of sentiment is echoed in “Millstone” and “Handcuffs.”
Fans of Brand New will most likely find that “The Devil and God” takes some getting used to. However, it is definitely worth listening to. The album is more professional and more musical than their older albums, but is still recognizable. The lyrics may depress you a little, but if you’re a Brand New fan, chances are you’re used to that already.
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