To think that ten years ago today this album was released makes me feel really old despite only being 18. And then thinking about how much this album means to me and so many others out there makes me feel dizzy and oh so proud to call Brand New one of my all time favourite bands. No arguments allowed. For the Brand New listeners of my generation we grew up with this album. We went from kids who enjoyed the music but weren't necessarily able to fully get it. Some tracks were a total mind boggling concept to the eight year old version of myself and opener "Tautou" used to genuinely scare me. Then we got older and reached preteen years and the dreaded age of being fourteen and finally we understood the album and wished, oh how we pretended, that we could relate. Until finally - and in a lot of ways, sadly - we actually get the album. We get the desperation and the panic of sudden adulthood that's wrapped itself around the album, and more than anything it's a comfort - the one thing that we can turn to when it feels like nothing else will work.
***
From pop-punk debut Your Favourite Weapon the band's progress was unbelievable. Leaving behind formulaic pop-punk and warm summer tracks they produced a dark, wistful record that picked apart and laid bare the very deepest thoughts of Jesse Lacey - who has more than earnt his place as my favourite lyricist - and lets face it, ourselves. He said exactly what we're all too scared to admit. Angry and poetic the lyrics are full of one-liners and yet are always part of some greater metaphor or ridiculously identifiable simile that can only be described as pure genius. Lines like "call me a safe bet, i'm betting i'm not" and... oh wait, sorry, every line on the album ooze perfection.
"If I could I would shrink myself,
sink through your skin to your blood cells,
remove whatever makes you hurt
but I am too weak to be your cure"
***
Aside from his lyrics, Jesse's vocals are just as fantastic. Whether he's softly whispering his way through melancholic acoustic tracks or adding a gritty yell he transcends emotion beautifully and sounds better than ever, doing his lyrics every bit of justice they deserve. Along with the angsty lyricism - now Jesse's identifier - he is accompanied by stunning musicianship that blends perfectly on the album with every different angle they try, be it on acoustic numbers like "The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot" or the many layered "Sic Transit Gloria... Glory Fades" featuring an ear melting bass line and one of their most iconic lines screamed out "die young and save yourself."
Looking back through their discography it's apparent that sailing the same boat isn't something the band are comfortable with, as each release has been vastly different to it's predecessor with the angst being the only familiar thing to cling to. And yet with Deja the band managed to cram in as many styles as they can including punk, indie and of course emo, sometimes even on the same track. For some bands this might not work and leave the listener with a headache but for Brand New anything less just wouldn't seem right. It works flawlessly. "Good To Know That If I Ever Need Attention All I Have To Do Is Die" (can we talk about how fab their song titles are please?) quite simply rocks all the way to Timbuktu and then seamlessly melts into acoustic "Play Crack The Sky." It's a roller coaster journey, with tracks that start out with a quiet guitar, simple drumming and crooning vocals. Give Brand New a couple of seconds more and they'll explode into clashing cymbals and electrifying guitars colliding with harsh vocals that instantly turn them into powerful rock tracks.
***
Deja Entendu seems an incredibly ironic title - there was nothing "already heard" about this album.
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