Brand New - 'Deja Entendu' (Eat Sleep)
3/5
By: Thomas Hannan
When the Oxford 'Concise Picture Dictionary Of Rock & Roll' is finally published (anyone come up with a way of drawing 'post rock' yet?), beside the word 'Emo' shall sit a flattering photograph of Brand New. So defining of their genre is their sound that the word that named it before might as well become obsolete; you can even sense the sub-genres on the horizon - post-Brand New, alt.Brand New, hardcore-Brand New...
All of which are actually featured amidst 'Deja Entendu', the second effort from this Long Island quartet. It's a record which although defines a style that is almost insufferably 'now', is actually something of a significant step forward for our boys. Their previous, now somewhat discarded album 'Your Favourite Weapon', was an exercise in vaguely technical pop-punk. So raise your glasses in admiration at their progress, and bottoms up for also making what is often a rather fine record with it.
Admittedly, if emo ain't yo bag, there's not really a lot of point in bothering. Its ingredients are poignancy, swooping atmospherics, screams, harmonies and heady melancholia. Heat for twenty minutes, stirring occasionally, and you get this rock stew. But the reason that Brand New have the potential to be a landmark band is that there really is something more to them than that. None of it should prove particularly challenging, musically, lyrically or any other way. But if this was as straight-up as its individual parts suggest it logically should be, then we'd have it sussed by the end of the first spin.
But praise be, for 'Deja Entendu' prefers to keep its cards close to its chest, taking time to reveal its charms. Once one is found, they spring up in numerous locations. 'Sic Transit Gloria' is probably the first instance of note, an almost hauntingly soft background melody weaving around before an explosive chorus lets loose, a trick used to equally grand effect on the marvellously titled 'OK, I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't'. Something about the effort you've had to put in to get the most out of these tracks also ensures that once you've figured out their plan, you'll be quite happy to play along for the time being too.
Even if Brand New's trek into the unknown is to be applauded, it's still the truth that they remain painting with a limited palette. And as such, it's not always gold. Once again, it's a case of lack of inspiration on points such as 'Jaws Swimming Theme' and the unnecessarily long acoustic ramblings of a closing 'Play Crack the Sky', where ideas seem to be spread a little thin. When they keep it simple, as on 'Me vs. Maradona vs. Elvis', they actually find much greater success.
Nobody likes a whining rich boy, and that's the only other criticism that could be aimed at 'Deja Entendu's occasional, over-prominent self-indulgence. Yet, generally, it's a sweeping success. 'Good To Know That If I Ever Need Attention All I Have To Do Is Die', they mutter towards the close. Making a record as good as this one would be a much less tragic route.
Artists in this article: Brand New
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