Album Details

• Artist: Brand New
• Album: Deja Entendu
• Label: Razor & Tie
• Year of Release: 2003
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: hstisgod on 2003-09-23

It's been a few months since I've heard these initial echoes of guitar intro. However, writing this review may start another cycle of the Brand New addiction. "Deja Entendu" which came onto the scene in the Fall of 2003 , has certainly seen its ups and down in my CD collection. At one point I must have replayed these infectious beats three, four times a day for several days in a row. However, nothing exceeds like excess and this disc found itself amongst my Black Listed cases. Angst/Emo with depressing thoughts of social anxiety became the in your face message. As it rode up the billboard charts I found myself more detached from it. Nothing worse than merging with a class of genre hoppers. But that's all over for now. For now....

Maybe, just maybe this album was more healing than damaging. Similar to writing journal rants of rage, only singing along to accompanying eclectic melodies . Maybe just maybe I am no different than this CD. As lead singer Jesse Lacey rants on, seemingly the poster boy for A.D.D., I'm scared that the Long Island/Gen x roots I share with him will diagnose me the same. The lyrics purpose thoughts I've been meaning to say but haven't had the cocky courage to say. For instance "Okay I believe you but my Tommy Gun don't". "And these are the words you wish you wrote down. This is the way you wish your voice sounds. Handsome and smart. Oh, my tongue's the only muscle in my body that works harder than my heart. And it's all from watching TV. And from speeding up my breathing. Wouldn't stop if I could. Oh, it hurts to be this good.".

Although the lyrics are the most defining moments of the disc, it's the choice of instrumental genre splicing that sucks me into the sand trap of Emo one more time. Just when I thought I was out, they suck me back in. Like taking The Cure, and replacing the generic food store battery with the most powerful of energizer batteries, this CD is not too many steps from the days of "Love Song". The Billboard 200 power pop hit "The Quiet things that no one ever knows" is the most sound defining example of these four boys. Bi-polar vocals, bridges and choruses that fade from the aforementioned echo guitar intro climb the ladder of anger from acoustic relief into powerful pop punk. "The boy who blocked his own shot" seemingly tells the story of a martyr feeling the pain of a relationship gone sour. I can certainly affirm to these emotions.

"So call it quits or get a grip. Say you wanted a solution. You just wanted to be missed. Call me a safe bet. I'm betting I'm not. I'm glad that you can forgive. I'm only hoping as time goes, you can forget...".

Accompanied by repetitive blank chords, there's no denying the lyrical focus of this track. In all seriousness, the lyrics are just about the main focus and characteristic involved throughout. You'll remember the beats, chord changes and tones, but it's the lyrics you'll feel for. The most progressive of genre splicing is track eight, "Me vs. Madonna vs. Elvis Lyrics". Beginning with the slow simple intro, as the song progresses, the antagonistic lyrical gloves really come off. "I will lie awake. Lie for fun and fake the way I hold you. Then you'll fall for every empty word I say". Eventually adopting to the raging lyrics, the instrumental progression of the entire 5 minutes and 19 seconds comes to a burley climax as Jesse repeatedly screams these very lyrics. It all seems to be unimportant as the pinnacle of the disc comes together in track nine "Guernica". Most certainly the prime example of an artist obviously influenced by 80's sap masters The Cure. Screeching opening feedback leads into a foot tapping drumbeat. As the lyrics fade its almost as if Robert Smith has stepped in and made a guest appearance.

In my humble opinion the most effective lyrics of the entire album come roaring out in this pinnacle song of the disc. " Is this the way a toy feels when its batteries run dry? I am the watch you always wear but you forget to wind". The remaining tracks from there slow things down to a crawl to make room for the predictable ballard ending track "Play Crack the Sky". Foolish yet clever, you may feel the urge to strap yourself to your stereo, wanting to go nowhere without this disc at first. But be careful as the same feelings that attach you to the music, may become the same feelings in which you run from.

User Reviews and Comments

Review:

on 2008-05-20 star7seven Said:

The album Deja Entendu is one of my new favorites- the C.D. you constantly have in your disc player as the default to when the radio finds it necessary to make an appointment at the same time everday to ramble... seems that time is everytime I'm in the car lately.
The lyrics to "Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't", hit a chord with me that is mostly unattainable to any being but seems to be struck by lead singer Jesse Lacey. The beginning beat ignites excitement with resolve as you embark on the journey of him telling the responsible party 'How dare you think im anything less than perfect for you'. He goes on to express how hard it is for everyone to see you as one person while all along you're completely different and the song blows up when he says 'It's hard to hold a secret especially when you have to pretend you didnt want to get caught'... so true. In life many times people think they know someone and have them all figured out when in reality no one really knows exactly what a person is experiencing at any one time.

Life is a bumpy journey but this band has "Started a craze", the album has "Ignited my airwaves" and this song makes "Me glad to be where I am, with whom ever I'm there with."
Rating: 9/10

on 2008-03-05 DeathEyesForKiley Said:

Altough Play Crack The Sky is predictable it is such a beautiful song.
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2007-07-05 kev_stev Said:

Excellent review! You're dead on accurate about the lyrics being the focus of the album, and I definitely agree about growing detached as the album gained popularity.
Rating: 9/10

Review:

on 2007-06-02 Symphony Said:

This album just recently went gold.
Rating: 9/10

Review:

on 2007-05-31 blackxdan Said:

Agree 100%. This CD will indeed suck you in. 'Sic Transit Gloria... The Glory Fades' is an instant hit, which definitely got to me. It's part of the reason why I purchased this CD. The lyrics are intelligent and very well planned out. If you love music, some slow some fast, with excellent lyrics.. Then I suggest you pick up this album. Brand New's best work to date.
Rating: 10/10