on 2013-02-15 gutterseed Said:

I loved this album. Emo is full of whiney self loathing teenagers crying about their lives. This one isn't. It builds like an Iron Maiden album. The track order is incredible. I love this album because it's so dark. I love the range of the vocalist's voice. I love the melodic tones. I'm not sure I'd compare them to the Pixies though. I think the lyrics are brutally honest and the singer generally feels what he's singing.
While the album is blue, I love the way it builds and I just feel the need to listen to it over and over again.
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2011-09-21 CharlesMartel Said:

Emo gets a bad rap and at its worst it deserves it. At its best, there can be some quite stunning music produced, redolent with the bitterness, hostility and pent-up anger of frustrated youth. This album, which falls into the latter category, is clearly a personal journey for the songwriter and at times his voice drips the heartfelt honesty which is all too often lacking in a genre which is intended to appeal to bored school kids in small towns whose only escape from sitting in some sort of self-enforced misery-collective is getting pissed out of their heads on Saturday Night.

Brand New belie their name in that what they do is not new (what is?) They have taken the best of what has gone before (most notably the Pixies) and improved upon it. Whereas the Pixies were all too often raw noise, Brand New manage that noise, crafting it and shaping it into a weapon intended to penetrate the recesses of your consciousness. When it reaches there, it jolts you out of your complacency and forces you to confront the realities of the songwriter's themes. That may be a long-winded, and dare I say pretentious way of saying the music forces you to sit up and listen, but it does so in a way that is more than just power and noise.

Unlike a lot of other emo albums, the underlying theme of the material is spiritual and religious. "Sowing Season", the opener, is the best track on the album, lamenting the loss of friends in drunken car accidents and then using the promise of religion to claim to have found what was lost through the Resurrection. But this is not a happy reunion. As with "Jesus" a few tracks later, the promise has its downside, and the downside is explored in terms of the relationship you had with that girl which you knew was just wrong from the start.

Many tracks continue and expand on this theme. "Degausser" searches for absolution through discovery while "Millstone" aptly describes the burden of expectation placed upon all young people (school-job-relationship-marriage) in terms of the burden of sin. Even the instrumental tracks, "Welcome to Bangkok" and "Untitled" carry this theme musically as they build into a wall of sound deafening if you have it on too loud. Then with "Limousine" the music stares down the barrel of the gun of hypocrisy while "You Won't Know" suggests that every hope every aim is riddled with ambiguity and the uncertainty that goes with it.

This underlying theme running through the album is a powerful and pertinent one. In a Middle America where the power of ignorance and intolerance is growing through the rise of fundamentalist Christianity, are you really going to burn in Hell if you do what teenagers always do? A documentary series here in the UK, "The Root of All Evil", hosted by Richard Dawkins showed one US pastor taking young children through a realistic theme park like exhibition where the torments of hell were shown in realistic and over-graphic detail. The objective, clearly, was to scare the crap out of them. Yet did anyone think of the awful psychological consequences of this psychological abuse on young, unformed minds? Clearly not. For if "The Devil and God Are Raging inside Me" is anything to go by, when the children of Middle America grow up they are tortured, confused, scared and scarred by the cumulative experience of this belief-system shoved down their throats from an early age. So little do these preachers know what the real consequences of "The Devil and God Are (Truly) Raging inside Me" are. Some of the lyrics to this album should be inscribed on the headstone of the late, un-lamented Jerry Falwell.
Rating: 8/10

on 2008-05-13 mustardseed Said:

I had no connection with this band or its music. I am not sure I had ever heard one of their songs before today. I read this review and was intrigued and then the backstory to 'Limousine'. I had to give it a listen. I am blown away by this song and the way it touched me emotionally. I watched some performances on the net and listened to the song on mp3...there was something to this song. It was dreamy like a great 'Floyd' song but intense and disrupting in a way few songs can be. I am definitely going to check out this album now.
Not Rated

on 2008-05-13 X_NaStY Said:

That's the show I saw too. Thought Thrice was much better.
Rating: 10/10

on 2008-05-13 kev_stev Said:

You might've caught them on the wrong show. I saw them with Kevin Devine and Manchester Orchestra and was absolutely blown away, but then I saw them with mewithoutYou and Thrice (making a combo of my 3 fav bands in one show) and wasn't all too thrilled with their performance. Try again is all I can say, and don't bother with them at festivals; they apparently suck at them.
Rating: 7/10

on 2008-05-12 X_NaStY Said:

Easily my favorite band. This album and Deja Entendu are just amazing. They're not really as good live as I thought they would be, can't really place why though. Maybe I was just expecting way too much because their cd's are so good.
Rating: 10/10

on 2008-04-21 Smeesan Said:

I totally understand where you're coming from kev. To me, Brand New is one of those bands that kinda contort their message into a vague delivery - and any time that happens, it creates a chasm where people are left on one side or the other. I think it's a wonderful album, alongside Deja Entendu, mostly because of how the lyrics woven into the songwriting hits home. But I'm not a diehard fan - I really have to make myself listen to "Your Favorite Weapon" without taking a shower afterwards. Deja Entendu to me was more like a poetic lyricsist speaking with a convenient musical background. The Devil and God... I think is their songwriting peak, how they mix the best of Deja Entendu's lyrics with quality, definitely appropriate (contextually) music. For some, it really misses the mark of what they'd expect out of a quality album. Don't take this as me defending Brand New :) I have run into a lot of people who feel the way about them you do, which is entirely warranted. But man, do they ever illict responses from some people. I guess I'm one of them.
Not Rated

on 2008-04-21 kev_stev Said:

Wow, I like Brand New and all, but I just don't get the hype surrounding this album. I like it, but don't love it.
Rating: 7/10

on 2008-04-20 hstisgod Said:

Damn, I went back The problem with my review is the same problem with listening to this CD. I can't ever listen to it twice and feel like I have before. I could write five reviews about this recording, and still it would come out very different. Critiquing different arrangements than I previously had.

Without a doubt, an album that is slowly taking over albums on my list like DSOTM by Pink Floyd, or Adrenaline by Deftones. I know their genres are different, but their natural songwriting abilities let you breath from a -slapped and sold- plastic style of rock.

It just seems like Devil and God had... had a distinct effort and focus when preparing it. As a music reviewer I'm simply unprepared, as a fan, I'm a failure. I still have yet to see these guys live! It will happen sometime this year.
Rating: 10/10

on 2008-04-20 digitalbath Said:

Hah! As it should be! That's not the only song with a backstory either. "I will play my game beneath the spinning lights" "guernica" "luca" and a slew of others do too.
Rating: 10/10

on 2008-04-20 Smeesan Said:

"and in the choir i saw a sad messiah,
he was bored and tired of my laments,
'said I died for you one time but never again."

About two months too late here, digitalbath, but holy hell I saw what you wrote here, stopped in my tracks, and replayed this song. This part really speaks of the story here - I had never realized the imapact of this song. Thank you so much for enlightening me! This CD will now be on repeat until the end of the century.
Not Rated

on 2008-02-20 digitalbath Said:

Just a comment to anyone giving this album the thumbs down and some little known information.

If the lyrics of this album seem to be a nuisance or aren't well thought out enough for you on the surface, research the album a bit more. Every single song on this album has a back story and knowing the back story behind the songs makes them even more enjoyable.

Before I get into the back stories of the songs however, I believe that the overall complexity and sheer brilliance of this album is highly mistaken for something subpar in comparison to the unreleased demo tracks. The entire album was recorded on low-end EQ purposefully, adding a sound unique to this album that isn't noticed unless you're listening for it but is always noticed on a subconscious level at least. Each song is catchy enough to listen to again and again and again. Overall, this album is much more refined and tailored to more than one audience unlike albums of Jesse Lacey's yesteryear.

Getting to the stories behind the songs, I will only mention one song, it's much more worth it when you actually research some of these yourself.

Limousine:

Though this song may seem repetitive and too long to some, every second this track is audible is a vital second to the story. In New York, there was a man who proposed to his girlfriend at the time. She said yes, but for some strange reason the man decided he wanted to take his own life.

At the same time, a wedding precession was headed down the highway which included two limousines. The front limousine housed most of the wedding party, including a seven year old flower girl. Her mother and a few others were in the following limousine.

As the man, looking for death, and the limousine, looking forward to the rest of their lives, both got onto a bridge, the man decided now was the time. He veered off into the opposing lane and purposefully targeted the wedding precession in an attempt to end his own life. Little did he know, his life wouldn't come to an end tonight.

The flower girl's seatbelt was positioned in a way that when the cars made their dramatic collision, her head was found severed clean off of her body. The flower girl's mother came screaming out of the limousine and could only find her daughter's severed head.

The beginning of the song is in the mother's words. She speaks of her daughter laying her pedals out in the aisle of the church. She speaks of her daughter thoughtfully until the lyrics switch to speaking of the man who has "volunteered grace to end your life." The introduction continues on with it's somber mood until the mother proclaims she has "one more night to be your mother." As soon as this is said, drums introduce the car crash.

The vocals begin to scream the lyrics, detailing the crash itself until it returns to its former melancholy feel in the man's words in order to describe his ultimate guilt in having not taken his own life, but someone else's.

And now for the most intense build up of all time:

What most people simply write off as "Well I love you so much" is actually the girl's mother speaking first, and then the man returning with his own guilty reply.

"Well I love you so much, but do me a favor baby don't reply, because I can dish it out, but I can't take it. One'll love you so much... Two'll love you so much... Three'll love you so much... Four'll love you so much... Five'll love you so much (We'll never have to rot together underneath the dirt)... Six'll love you so much (I'll never have to lose you in the crowd)... Seven'll love you so much... Seven'll love you so much... Seven'll love you so much (I should be laughing right now).

In this dramatic build up, the mother repeats "I love you so much" for each year of her daughter's life until she gets to seven, the age in which her life was taken from her. In the background you can hear the girl's mother somberly adding what she'll never get to do with her daughter again. Seven is repeated until it is entirely worn out, like the mother and on the peak of the build up, the song ends.

Truly Amazing. Listen to this song as a passenger in a car in the black of night with your eyes closed after reading this and then tell me that this album isn't amazing. Do the same with Luca.



Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2007-07-10 kev_stev Said:

Contrary to many opinions, I feel that THE DEVIL AND GOD ARE RAGING INSIDE ME was a letdown in comparison to Brand New's 2003 release, DEJA ENTENDU. Many of the songs are flawed: the opening track "Sowing Season" is repetitive and has this quality of "forced" passion, while tracks like "Not the Sun" and "The Archers Bows Have Broken" are sloppy, fast-paced, and overall disappointing songs. Snoozer "Untitled" was better off not being on the album, though it avoids any lyrical nuisances that come up in songs like "You Won't Know:" "talking smack, you heart attack." There are some really great songs: "Jesus Christ" is full of passion and melancholic energy, while "Welcome to Bangkok" is one of the heaviest songs Brand New has made to date. This album isn't all too bad, it has some great tracks, but I expected more from Brand New--especially after hearing their demos.
Rating: 7/10

Review:

on 2007-05-31 blackxdan Said:

I do believe this CD is great, but I don't think it lived up the hype that was caused around it. We all waited for this album to be released, and when it was, we expected something better than Deja Entendu, if it were possible. I respect the band for changing up their style a bit, but I think in doing so, they stretched out songs too much. [Jesus Christ, Limousine]. Sometimes it can get annoying hearing the same lyrics or chords again and again. Snowing Season is a good song indeed, but I don't really believe it is worthy of being a hit song. All the songs are full of repetition, but thats the worst trait this whole album contains. I still suggest any fans of Brand New to pick up this CD. Smart lyrics and repetition make up this entire CD, so if you're into that type of thing, then get the CD.
Rating: 8/10

Review:

on 2007-01-23 JethrosWay Said:

Great stuff. I actually got motivated to come straight here and let everyone know. This was just right of center for me. Love the Dashboard in them, but then what the hell am I talking about as they send in that guitar riff? Very well-rounded sound. I am jealous, and man enough to admit it. Glad HST,Brian rec'd this!
Rating: 9/10

Review:

on 2006-12-07 hstisgod Said:

Aight, I know Im the writer but I have a major contribution to add. Professionally, I must do it in comment style.

-----
I've made a serious oversight...Twenty or so listens into this thing, and I've realized the most energetic and perplexing example of these guys' talent is track five "Limosouine (MS Rebridge)", where ALL of the most influential and popular cultures of music are represented. A flow of whispering and crushing music writing. Screw the lyrics, which ofcourse become a large focal point in between the 60's Trip/Rock, Distorted Guitar Virtuoso, Moody Emo Aggro Rock, and Progressive Metal.

"Said I love you so much
But do me a favor baby dont reply...
Cause I can dish it out, but I cant take it"

Repetetively he repeats, even to the point of too many times, till the explosion of all musical explosions. The finger fretting involved in this guitar work is absolutely body writhing. And Then quickly the speaker dies as quick as it was born. The song soon ends with a slow acoustic blending, and a morphed out echoed guitar in a box sound only comprable to those kings known as Pink Floyd. Absolutely drained is what I am! Lets listen again.
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2006-11-29 Symphony Said:

Number 2 release of 06! Nearly flawless besides repetitive intros!
Rating: 9/10

Review:

on 2006-11-23 kevinare Said:

Not Rated