The Band Everyone Loves to Hate Do It Again

Long Island's Brand New have spent the better part of the last decade making a name for themselves as one of the most polarizing, enigmatic bands in modern alternative rock. The band: drummer Brian Lane, bassist Garrett Tierney, guitarist Vin Accardi and singer/guitarist Jesse Lacey, are among the most loved and hated bands currently producing rock n' roll, for which there is ample reason.

The band began in the early part of the millennium as a cornerstone of the Long Island emo movement, which also brought us Taking Back Sunday, From Autumn to Ashes, Glassjaw and the Movielife. Their first album, "Your Favorite Weapon" was a glorious collection of pop punk gems about girls, parties and their very public feud with Taking Back Sunday that served as the soundtrack to many a high schooler's life in 2002.

Critics fawned over the band's sprawling, artsy follow up "Deja Entendu" in 2004, praising the band for their stylistic departure to a more "mature" sound. "Deja Entendu" was certified Gold on the strength of the singles, "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows" and "Sic Transit Gloria...Glory Fades".

However, this is when things got strange in the Brand New world. The once affable Lacey became withdrawn, rarely participating in interviews or photo shoots and seemingly distancing himself from his fans. Rumors of depression and drug abuse plagued Lacey into the making of the band's third record, "The Devil & God Are Raging Inside of Me." For those who thought Brand New had expanded their sound on "Deja Entendu," they may have thought they picked up the wrong CD upon first listening to Devil & God. The album was a dark, hopeless opus that featured less melody and more dynamic instrumentation.

"Devil & God" became a cult classic and Brand New toured the world, selling out arenas and garnering a massive following. All the while Lacey was walking around with a target painted on his head for his strange behavior. While the drug rumors continued, critics pointed out his band's growing likeness to indie rock heroes Modest Mouse, among other bands, and Brand New cut all old songs out of their live set, playing only songs from "Devil & God." They feuded with Alternative Press writer Scott Heisel and forewent fan interaction of any kind. It seemed Brand New were doing everything in their power to lose fans, but were only gaining them. So with their popularity and egos at all-time highs, Brand New give fans"Daisy." Perhaps the most anticipated rock album of 2009, "Daisy" does not disappoint. This record is not background noise: it is a disturbing, creepy trip through Jesse Lacey's odd mind. This is the most bleak, hopeless, dark album heard in a very long time. There are no rays of sunshine here. The first track, "Vices", begins with an eerie old time sample of a woman singing which somehow segues into a loud, meandering jam.

These weird samples continue at random throughout the record. Throwing a curveball right off the bat, Brand New go from the chaotic ending of "Vices" to the contemplative slow song "Bed", which features an excellent guitar driven outro and Lacey whispering the refrain "Laid her on the bed, lie to all your friends," as if he's trying to put the listener in a trance. The third track and the album's first single, "At the Bottom" certainly won't help the band escape those Modest Mouse comparisons, specifically Lacey's comparison to Modest Mouse front man Isaac Brock, whose' aimless warble he is clearly channeling here. Brian Lane absolutely pounds the drums on this one, matching each hit with the accentuated vocals in the chorus. The anthemia tune is really the album's only evidence the Brand New of old ever existed. A couple excellent songs and a strange intermission, before the album's high point "Sink" follow "At the Bottom". "Sink" is like no song Brand New have ever written and serves as the climax for the album, with Lacey pouring every ounce of his soul into the throat shredding chorus. This song really catches the listener off guard. Those used to Lacey's passionate croon will be pleasantly excited that he actually screams his head off on this one. The song's chorus of "If you call I'm coming to get you, if you call I'm coming out" is nothing short of goose bump inducing.

The title track, "Daisy", also begins with a creepy sample. This is the lyrical high point of the album. Taking into consideration Lacey's battles with the spotlight, the lyrics "I'm a sun that doesn't burn hot, I'm a moon that never shows its face, I'm a word that no one ever wants to say" seem all the more revealing about the man behind the voice.

In summation, this is a difficult album to wrap your head around. It would really be hard to give an honest, informed opinion about "Daisy" without sitting on it for a year or so. Brand New are kind of the Quentin Tarantino of rock. In the same way the famous director borrows pieces from the filmmakers who came before him, improves upon them and collects his awards, Brand New select pieces from the bands they idolize, craft albums out of the shards and sit back and collect five star reviews. "Daisy" will not convert anyone who hated "Devil & God." It will not bring back the kids who only enjoyed the first two albums, either. Shortly before the "Daisy" release, Jesse Lacey told online music blog Drowned In Sound "Some of the kids just don't get the new stuff and that's ok because they enjoyed what they enjoyed. We're happy with it. I can understand why other people don't love the things I listen to and I like that. I make music for myself and if everyone else likes it then that's just a bonus." This album is truly just an example of a modern musician flexing his ego for 11 songs. It won't make anyone like Jesse Lacey or forgive his arrogance and it won't uncover the shroud of mystery that surrounds him. "Daisy" is oversaturated, self-indulgent, pretentious and devoid of any real radio singles or hope of any kind. It's also probably the best album of 2009. Pick it up at Best Buy for $13.99.