[VINYL] Brand New – The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me
When Brand New had released Daisy in late 2009, I found it hard to believe that it was nearly three years since The Devil and God… had been released. My time flies when you’re having fun/a mental breakdown. Suffice to say, Daisy actually made it to vinyl way before this album due to some artwork problem relating to the cover.
For me this album marked a shift in the maturity that Brand New possessed, it was always there and prominent at times and scathing in its deliverance but by the release of this album, it had become a focus point. Jesse Lacey had become a man: pop-punk was growing up, now it’s time to become a latter day priest in the church of Morrisey, a compliment I’m sure he wouldn’t hate – or would, ironically.
The album is a more grown-up, more personal entry and when side-by-side with Daisy is not as abstract in its story telling but it’s rammed to gills with imagery and emotion. Stand out tracks like first single “Jesus” are full of personal questions and torment and although it’s probably just for dramatic effect, it is what makes this song/band/album.
So let’s talk shop about the wax. It’s been a long time coming (nearly as long as it took me to write the draft of this article) and as such Brand New have celebrated it with a variety of different releases. The copy that I’m looking at is the plain white version which was limited to 3000 copies and is most common. The band had also released the record on translucent red and gold vinyl albeit in more limited quantities, the latter of which I’ve seen go on eBay for several hundred pounds.
This is not to mention there are several pressings available on Academy Flight Song but some of which that haven’t yet seen the light of day and if this first press is anything to go by, who knows when they’ll appear?
This album is about putting things to rest or forgetting about it and it sounds like a closer, like maybe this is a send off album (the Wembley arena show in early 2010 certainly seemed that way). It’s a fantastic,dark record and a milestone in Brand New’s career.
Label – Interscope, Tiny Evil
Release Date – November 20th 2006 (Vinyl releases March 23rd 2010)
Track List
1. Sowing Season
2. Millstone
3. Jesus
4. Degausser
5. Limousine (MS Rebridge)
6. You Won’t Know
7. Welcome to Bangkok
8. Not the Sun
9. Luca
10. –
11. The Archers’ Bows Have Broken
12. Handcuffs
