By Katherine Doublet
Brand New - The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me - Interscope Records
Brand New fans have been kept waiting on the edge of their seats for three years now, with the most fervent having already memorized the band's last two albums, Your Favorite Weapon (2001) and Deja Entendu (2003). It might be something of an understatement to say their latest release, The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Of Me has been expected with much anticipation.
Upon listening to the Long Island natives' newest work, fans may feel this is not the same Brand New that put a musical tune to their bad days. While that quality still remains, the listener is right - they have changed, but not necessarily in a bad way. It has been three long years, during which they have switched from Triple Crown Records to Interscope Records. On that fact alone, it would be unrealistic to expect 12 songs like that of "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows." Fans should be reassured however that they still represent the unique Long Island alternative rock sound.
The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Of Me is a little bit darker in composition than the band's previous albums. There are a handful of religious references, such as "Well Jesus Christ, I'm alone again/ So what did you do those three days you were dead?/ 'Cause this problem's gonna last more than the weekend." The album is full of quotable lines, more than a few of which would make great away messages.
3 STARS
