Jon Venanzi - The cover is based around a photograph by Swedish artist Thobias Fäldt. The photograph features two women, Malin and Emma, seemingly jumping from a window. The packaging for the release has been created by Brooklyn based studio Morning Breath, Inc., who also worked on the artwork for Daisy and "Mene"
When I first listened to the album, I was giving it a strong 5 or light 6, however, after listening to it for weeks, months, and years now, I’d give it a 10. I’d say it’s my favourite album of the decade and quite the magnum opus for Brand New. The influences from the previous albums, especially Devil & God, Daisy and Deja are awesome. I don’t hear really any Your Favorite Weapon, but that’s all right. This is just a masterpiece of an album.
Late to this comment but yes I agree with you 100% I don’t know what it is about this album that keeps bringing me back all the time. Maybe the ways the songs can be interpreted, as you mentioned the influences from previous 3 albums or the very apparent darkness of a lot of the songs. Definitely one of my all time favs if not my all time favorite. Such a good send off to this incredibly one of a kind band
I also would have rated this a 7 the first few times I listened; I really wasn't that into the slower tracks. But the more times I listened, I started to really enjoy them and got super interested in them lyrically. I do agree that a lot of the vocals aren't passionate, but I feel like that fit well into the theme of the album. 9/10 for me and easily one of my favorite albums of the year.
Chase Michael for me the standout tracks were Can't Get It Out, Same Logic/Teeth, Out Of Mana, In The Water, and 451. There isn't really a song on the album I DON'T like, though.
Everyone who I've heard talk about this album has said the exact same thing or something similar. I imagine that by the end of the year Anthony will have warmed up to this album a bit more.
Say what you will about Brand New, The Devil and God is quite literally the greatest emo album, if not one of the greatest albums period, I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. It’s one of the few albums I own on vinyl, and I only buy vinyl albums I personally rate as a 10/10. I wish Fantano would do a classic review of TDAGARIM, because I know it deserves a 10.
If only he does a classic review of Devil and God. I'd love that so much, to hear what he has to say about one of the best rock albums ever. Truly spectacular.
Greetings fellow Grant Here's my list: Science fiction 10/10 Devil and god 10/10 Deja entendu 9/10 Your favorite weopon 8/10 Daisy 8/10 SciFi is my all time favorite album, but devil and god is close behind
People dis on Your Favorite Weapon too much, the album is such a good album, just because it doesnt compare to the rest of their emo stuff doesnt make it mot great, its got such a great nostalgic early 2000s teen feel to it, listening to it always reminds me of when i was younger and all the choices i made between friendships and relationship both with family and people i cared about
I think Could Never Be Heaven and Batter Up are easily the least impressive songs on the album. however, 137, In The Water and Lit Me Up are by far the MOST impressive pieces of the record. IMO
@@chamberwaves To me Batter Up is one if the most devastatingly heartbreaking tracks Brand New ever did, but Heaven is kind of bare boned to me IMO Still a fantastic album though.
Beyond ARTV Hey! It's you. I agree. Honestly I'd consider this there second best album, and for a while I considered it my favorite. As far as listening to an album all the way through, this album is the easiest to do it with. Devil and God, and Daisy are a close second in terms of full listens for me.
Yeah if you're a emo fan. And I dont mean that out of Disrespect, I genuinely believe any Brand New or huge emo fan would find this amazing and a breath of fresh air compared to other emo acts. But for me it just seemed more of the same shit but not as game changing or as good as past albums (not even a huge change sonically). I dont think this is a peak performance for them and I dont think it changes the scope of emo or music in any kind of way. It's not a 10/10 for me but I'm glad you at least like it.
@@minimum_sage i think daisy wins thay award, just because Your Favorite Weapon doesnt give that emo vibe every other album does doesnt mean its the worst, yes it is hard to top The Devil and God and Deja Entendu, but it is my favorite album by Brand New just because it is the perfect early 2000's teen angst punk album
Great review, melon. I'd really like to see a video just covering The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me. I just don't know if it's old enough to be considered a classic otherwise I'd be suggesting it for Classics Week.
I have to disagree with you, not because I don't think your review was constructive and valid. because I think everything you came up with a perfectly valid and justified. I got really excited for this album, and listened to it all the way through at once. It was different, the singing was different, slow and screaming was more seeming as a way to emphasis than anything. But I looked up the lyrics for each songs, and they are rather deep. That's what I loved about this album personally. I liked the old emo vibes from 2006, I liked the depressive undertones, the battle under the words, the emotions put in to it. Maybe it's just me who likes deepness and meaning over sound, so with my preference, it's a wonderful album. My S/O who doesn't like the genre, said the lyrics was genius but not what they were into. Examples: "And you've got your kind of brand new face on, where all the skin's pulled thin and taut And every kid you see starts crying so you stop going out for walks Well I guess nothing can be perfect, so here's a comforting thought At the bottom of the ocean fish won't judge you by your faults (judge you by your faults)" - Same Logic/Teeth "I'm hoping that in time, you can lay down All this weight you've been carrying around and maybe one day You'll find your way To climb on up out of your grave With the bits of you you managed to save And for the last time Yeah, you say good-bye" - Waste "Be for someone else Love is in your actions I got a job So let me find 10 million distractions Some get sick Some don't get cured That's how it goes But the worst is over Chum and throw me overboard" - No Control "I was drowning in the lake dammed Over a dead mining town The cars and the homes lay still in the water The deeper I sank, the less I died The trees swayed, slower the the tide There were people I love below me singing" - Could Never Be Heaven "In the valley of your slowly-fading memory All the pastures, bathed in sun and sunlight where you won't graze Paths you won't take?" And even though the roar died in your throat The lines get blurred Lose whoever you once were Died and returned to the earth Found ourselves back In love" - Batter Up "I thought I was a creator I'm here just hanging around Got my messiah impression I think I got it nailed down I want to tell you we're alright Want to erase all your doubt I got this thorn dug in deeply Sometimes I can't get it out" - Can't Get It Out For me personally, these deep lyrics are hard hitting. Every song on this album connects to my mental problems, my physical problems, my relationships, and my dreams. But at the same time, it doesn't make me sad or depressed. it makes me feel inspired. It gives me something, I'm not sure what, but it gives me some great feelings. And if you're the type who needs some great sound, something that just sounds good on the ears, then yeah you wont enjoy this album. But sometimes lyrics are what others aim for. They enjoy the hunt behind a word. They look past singing and noise. Sometimes, words are the razors that cut deep in someone's heart, and only then can they find something to feel. "Knowing I will die, keeps me alive"
yeah the melon fuck doesn't want an intricate album that takes time, dedication, and effort. He wants trash like lil boat by lil yachty. total trash where everything from the instrumentation and songwriting to the lyrics can be completely digested in 2 or 3 listens on a drive to the store and back. thats why he didn't like The Hotelier's Home, Like Noplace Is There, that's why he didn't like The National's Trouble Will Find Me (he gave it a 4, like wtf??) The man doesn't care about music that takes effort anymore because he turned a passion into a job. he wants music that goes down smooth and digests easy
I WAITED FOR A BRAND NEW REVIEW FROM YOU EVER SINCE I DISCOVERED YOU IN 2012 AND I WAIT 5 FUCKING YEARS TO HEAR THEM GET A LIGHT 7 WTF IM GONNA SHOOT UP A MCDONALDS
Anthony has never deeply reckoned with himself and this review shows it. He criticizes 137 but it is the dead center of the album. All of the songs on the periphery are emotional and frank while 137 is cold and fatalistic. He also criticizes the crescendo but it builds the energy for Out of Mana which is the most manic burst of energy on the album and is a song he enjoyed. Basically Anthony you're not seeing the big picture here. This album has a voice and you're not hearing it.
I think understanding the purpose of a song in the context of an album isn't the same as enjoying it. He's said before that he rates albums based off enjoyment, except in rare occasions where the music is so incredibly personal and heartbreaking that enjoyment isn't a factor (A Crow Looked at Me)
Have another drink and drive yourself home. I hope there's ice on all the roads. And you can think of me when you forget your seatbelt then when your head goes through the windshield Jesse killed 'em with BARZ. BARZ
It was going to be their last album but I would have still preferred the band went out on a better note. I still love the band and will always listen to them, and I will always think of Jesse as one of the greatest songwriters to ever live, but if the allegations are true, it really is a damn shame.
os terminal uhh yeah it is. If you’re creepy and take advantage of underage fans, then I obviously don’t want to support you anymore. It’s not a difficult concept.
os terminal um he literally used his position of power from his music to take advantage of multiple underage fans, it’s our place to judge, he’s a piece of shit
Surprisingly I didn't mind the record being such a slow burn in comparison to the previous stuff. This being their final album really made me read into the lyrics. I think a good bit of it is Jesse Lacey exercising what demons he had left and saying goodbye like on waste "this is the last one." Gets me everytime.
People who are in a similar mental spot as Jesse (assuming he's the sole lyricist) will probably enjoy this album more so than someone who isn't currently in that deep. Also, think about who you were when you were 18 (likely a totally different person). I think it's super important to let musicians grow up. I would say the group has aged beautifully.
Good review melon. See where you're coming from but this might be aoty for me, really sucker punched me the first listen and I have scarcely listened to anything else since its release.
few cringey lines and a few acoustic songs that sound the same as their others. Less energy in the vocals. I think if you took all the good stuff from deja entendu and pared it with this one it would be a 10...
tomdotexe Nah those make sense and are all valid. Idk i really like the subdued, even trancelike vocals in some parts. It feels like it fits the tone. Either way, i'm glad you enjoyed it!
9 for me as well, Desert dropped it down a point imo, whenever Jesse trys to attack Religion/Political parties (Archers, etc...), he always does it in this backhanded and very arrogant way. He doesn't describe any faults, he just talks to himself about what a dick this imaginary character is.
This album takes several listens while reading the lyrics imo, while other albums more easily showed the emotion in the way the vocals were presented (Deja especially) this album takes a lot of reading into to understand how painful it is. Probably ranks third on my list of Brand New albums, though every albums by Brand New other than their first has been a 10/10 for me
This is the first review the Melon has done that I genuinely cannot bring myself to understand how he came to this conclusion. I guess I appreciate the shoutout to Daisy though
im angry, this is my angry comment. I classified this album as one of the greatest of all time, which I know is a stretch. I just think the album is amazing. I've never been super into Brand New but I've liked them for a while now, this album made me rediscover them in the perfect way. I found it was a perfect last album for the band. I could go into a million reasons why but I'm too lazy and no ones gonna read dis anyway. Good vid tho anthony
This album has loads of callbacks and references hidden in it, I think it's been made for fans as a goodbye. I love it. Anthony, maybe do a video on Deja or Devil and God?? Really want to know your thoughts
Best album they've done, imo. Also it's more uptempo than Devil and God, so I don't get the complaint of it being mellow. Fantano the contrarian hipster.
I'm a huge fan of this album, but also have just gotten into Brand New over the last few years, meaning I don't have as much stake with their old discography. You raise great points with the vocal delivery, which I hadn't originally noticed, but for me it's made up in full by the diversity of the songs and the incredible instrumentals.
This album is my personal favorite from BN, and definitely top 5 favorite albums ever, but that's mostly because of my personal connection to it and the circumstances in which I discovered it. The production in this album is MASTERFUL, particularly in songs like Lit Me Up, Waste, Could Never Be Heaven, 451, Batter Up. It really sells the atmosphere of "deep under the sea", a theme eluded to from the beginning of the album ("deep Atlantic trench"), and throughout, ("under the ocean, next to a boiling vent"). The droning, airy instrumentation and production give this album a very dark, morose atmosphere, which I love. This album is a pleasure to listen to with some good speakers (good headphones work too, but speakers give the spacey feel much better). I would rate this album a solid 8, to maybe a 9, depending on my mood.
I love how everyone was just talking about how Lil Peep is the "future of emo" and then Brand New comes around the corner like "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY" and releases this masterpiece
I don't think it's fair to say it sounded like a 90s grunge/alt album. The lyrics are way deeper than that era ever had to offer as was the instrumentation. As for Jesse's voice, it is one of the most recognizable voices in rock. You know it's a Brand New song right away. Not sure why you would say his voice isn't unique.
Jesse sang 'you cracked your head and broke your bones' like the guy from Three Days Grace would have. I had to check to make sure it wasn't actually a line from a Three Days Grace song because I thought I had heard it before. He sounds like he's holding back that most recognizable voice in rock.
I'll concide that certain parts of songs do sound a little bit like Nirvana or some other hard rock/grunge band. Especially the riff to 137, but overall it's very Brand New to me. Lyrics and instrumentation are way better than any rock band from Nirvana's era or early 2000s hard rock era. I will agree that there are points where he held back too much and that is probably the only thing that keeps this album at an 8.5 for me instead of a 10, but I do think that despite Jesse holding back the vocals do fit the flow and theme of the album just fine.
Smashing Pumpkins ''Siamese Dream'' (1993) album contains tons of over like 50-70 layers of guitar on almost each song lol so don't asume instrumentation wasn't there.. asuming if you even know the band. Brand New is great but just wanted to correct you on ''instrumentation are way batter than >>ANY
That's a fair statement. I Like Mellon Collie more than Simease Dream though I must admit. I wasn't even thinking of the pumpkins as much as I was refering to the power chords heavy grunge bands but you're right. Corgan is probably one of a very few that rival Jesss/Brand New in lyrics and instrumentation. SP are more dream popish though whereas Brand New is a bit more dark.
Welp that was a sit on the fence and say nothing too controversial review, Brandthony Newtano... I feel like you weren't that fond of it but knew you'd get hammered in the comments with a score less than 6-7... Their albums aren't meant for quick consumption and appreciation over 1-2 listens... I'd be more interested to hear you review/revisit this album again in a year to see if you change your tone at all. I found it odd you kept hitting on Jesse's vocals being so subdued, when this album's entire vibe is essentially nothing like TDAGARIM or Deja even, so knocking the vocals here just seems as if you were expecting one thing and got another, and you didn't care for it because it wasn't what you expected.. just my two cents on your two cents. 8.5/10 from me FWIW
I agree. I feel like there are many times when Anthony's review of an album is affected heavily by what he expects of the artist and what the artist has done in the past, instead of just analysing every album on its own. The history of each artist is important, of course, but I feel Anthony lets it cloud his judgment. I also feel as if there were other themes in this album that deserved attention, such as religion. More than one song in this album deals with the belief in God in the face of disaster, and I expected Anthony to at least talk about it. 137's lyrics are beautiful in that regard. It's a great song about people who would rather welcome the apocalypse and "learn to love the bomb" than feel anger and question their God. It's a bit of a let down that Anthony just said something about Jesse's flat vocals and not much more. It's an 8 for me too.
Glad I'm not alone in feeling like he sometimes has preconceived expectations of an artist's album an it shapes how he feels about the actual project itself rather than the project being reviewed as a standalone piece. He made some fair points. I feel like this album serves the people who are already fans of Brand New well, but wont draw in a flood of new fans. He didn't specifically say this, but I think that because there isn't a "Jesus" or "Sic Transit Gloria" etc leading song on it which gives you a quick hit to draw you in he's harder on it.
ProdByTommyGunz Unless you have proof that he's pandering, quit spouting conjecture and just agree or disagree with what he's saying. Conjecture is a copout for an actual argument or discussion in general.
As someone who generally likes your reviews, I have to be brutally honest and say what I'm sure you knew while making this... This is one of the laziest music reviews I've ever heard. I caught at least two contradictions, super surface level with nothing very deep as far as critique OR acclaim, sitting on the fence through most of it, not listening to it enough times, no talk about the lyrics, no mention of the bass work which is absolutely one of the most important parts of the album, comparing it to previous work rather than looking at it on its own terms, etc. I have to echo what a few people have commented. I think you should do another video with a more in depth review. That being said, I think you hit on some interesting points. I agree with you that after a couple listens it does all the sudden start turning memorable, it does sound like it could have been released 20 years ago, and Jesse's vocals do sound much less gripping than they have in the past. To go with your half baked review of the album, here's my even lazier one. After 2 listens I would have given this a 6. After 6 listens I'd give it an 8. The reason is that at first it just sounded like a band who've mastered what they do, but are kind of over doing it. That's at least the way I read what you read as them not going very deep into any of the emotions they were trying to hit. Then I caught on to some things I hadn't before. Most importantly, I forgot that this band is usually dynamic and chill-inducing and looked at the album on its own terms. All of the sudden the whole thing made sense. I still don't think this album is lightning in a bottle the way some of their other work had been, but had wilco written this, I think people would be giving it a 9. It's a masterwork on every level except standing out in their catalogue. It's just a different beast than you keep expecting it to be because of what they usually do so well.
You're crazy. I admit, I was a little put off by how melodramatic the sound of this record was at first listen, but now I can proudly say that it's surpassed Devil and God for me. One of those records you can listen all the way through without needing to skip a track.
I definitely agree that some of the slower tracks didn't give me the impact they should have with the lyrics and somberness being what they are but overall I really enjoyed the album. It doesn't reach the level of the devil and god.. but it's definitely something I will be listening to off and on for months to come. 8/10 good review. WHY NO JAPANESE BREAKFAST REVIEW??!??!!!?! That was a 9.5 to me!!!!
I think one of the things that has to be addressed when explaining this album is that it is their Farewell. They blend sounds from their entire career into one album, packaged up with a message that says thanks for everything, life is going to go on now without us as a band
I think it more speaks towards life, and feeling estranged from the masses. It's not hell, it's definitely not joy, but it has a lot of empty voids that are covered by a lot of blankets and masks. That's why I absolutely love 137 and Could Never Be Heaven. Also, if you listen to batter up thinking this may be Brand New's last album, it may the passing of the torch saying everyone else should spread their message. We don't wanna say goodbye, but we need to...for now at least. Acceptance, not emotional hell.
Been to 5 Brand New shows live and have been a big fan since 2005. The main reason I think the band is so good is because they progress and grow each album. This album did feel like a career closing album with lots of call backs to old albums and of course Jesse still wants to sound like Morrissey on every track but I do feel like the lyrics and content of this album was closer to what the band is about and what Jesse has always tried to do with his music rather then in the past when they tried to fit into a music scene that they didn't really feel 100% comfortable in (Brand New toured with bands like Thrice and Alkaline Trio, tons of metal heads/punk rockers in the crowd had no clue who Brand New was) and now they have progressed into just making the music they want. Name a "Emo" band that has accomplished more and been together for longer and is still making music that is true to themselves. Also you never reviewed Julian Baker's album "Sprained Ankle" so what the fuck do you know about emo music.
He keeps ripping on waste but i gotta say i absolutely LOVE that track. The whole album was meant to be a deeper meaningful album, and i think that song definitely gets the point across and just sounds beautiful. I do miss the sound from albums such as TDAGRWM or Deja, but i also think the sounds off this album is amazing.
Never heard brand new before and listened to the whole album and loved it. The review is a little over the top critical; sometimes you need to not think; just turn the lights off grab some popcorn kick back relax and enjoy the moment. Also, his comments about it not being emotional enough? Come on I don't need to feel like slashing my wrist every time I hear music. The level of emotion and grit was appropriate; I really enjoyed it I give it a 8.5.
Lol too bad he never mentioned in the water. That track is really the peak of their slower vibe on the album imo and Jesse isn’t completely dead sounding like he is on no control imo
The story of Brand New is sad in general. The allegations still get to me, because they kinda aligned with me losing closeness with my college friends, timeline wise, and we all loved Brand New.
@@isetmfriendsofire I feel that. The early Brand New albums always remind me of high school. Then their 3rd and 4th albums remind me of college and being in the military. Science Fiction came out right after I got done with that, and it was a new positive time in life for me. Then there were the allegations and I juat tried to ignore them. I'm not going to let that ruin those albums for me.
I think for a lot of heavy brand new fans, it's hard to hear someone who isn't a huge fan give Science Fiction an "average" score of 7/10. It's also really hard for us to be unbiased. Brand New is by far my favorite band of all time, but I wouldn't say that all of their albums are perfect, nor would I really be able to say that this the "best album" of 2017 the way a lot of people are stating here in these comments. Quite honestly, I still haven't listened to the record enough to say what score I would give it. I will say though that after listening to this record numerous times in the last 4 days, it doesn't disappoint me as a long time and devoted Brand New fan. The album moves very well and has some extremely intriguing lyrics ranging in topic from personal religious struggles to the band's imminent break up. Sonically, the album carries a dark and eerie vibe that Brand New fans simply cannot resist, and seems to have shades of each of the other four records Brand New has released. Best album of the year though? Daisy wasn't my best album of 2009. So to all the hardcore Brand New fans and music fans in general, I say we finish the year first and enjoy what has come and what may potentially come in the next few months. This is a good review though Fantano. I may have a few disagreements, but well done man 👌
Anthony have you ever thought about doing a video about what your looking for in music? Every critic has a sense about what turns them off and on. Would love to hear your take on that.
Agreed. How long you think it's gonna be before people forget about Jesse Lacey being terrible person and start listening to brand new again like they did with John Lennon and the beatles
I would have given it the same score if it didn't sink into me with the slower songs and better composition, their melody is beyond everything else after you catch it. I missed the noise, the screaming. But i got over it. It's a brand new album from Brand New. They never do the same thing twice. This is at least a strong 8 or light 9.
great review, i agree with a lot of your points. i'll add that i felt like with "lit me up" (the only song that really excited me) they were going in somewhat of a post-punk direction. that song reminded me a bit of The Cure's Pornography. then "can't get it out" was such a sharp turn, what with the upbeat guitar and bouncy whistling. i feel like if they'd stuck with the post-punk influence, they would've had better success reaching that despondent, melancholy sound the themes implied. and since it didn't really feel like they brought that much of a new sound with this album, seeing them dip their toes into post-punk would've been an interesting route to see them take. better than what feels like a handful of songs that could've shown up on The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me or Daisy.
I can see where you're coming from with your criticisms of the album but I'd have to say I disagree. I think the bands evolution in both instrumentation and lyricism is in full force on SciFi. A lot of the songs have really interesting concepts that I havent heard other bands tackle as well as Brand New has. (Same Logic and 137 come to mind). I think the guitar work that Vin brings to the album is a very natural and welcomed step away from Daisy, with a heavy grunge influence that mixes really profoundly with the heavier and louder songs. In fact, I think the acoustic ballad at the end of Out of Mana shares a similar riff from Nirvanas "You Know You're Right". Your point about Jesse's vocals is valid, however I think songs such as Can't Get it Out, Same Teeth and 451 have the same emotional depth as TDAG and Deja. Even in No Control, where Jesse sings at a barely audible whisper, I can still feel the emotion in his voice. This is all just my opinion however and I can say that while I would have given the album a 9, a 7 is very respectable. Thanks for reviewing this album, its the first in a long time where Ive had some really strong feelings for a body of music.
Shut the lights off, put on headphones, and listen again. I've always liked some of Brand New's work but never been a huge fan. Even turned down free tickets to see them once (which I now regret) but upon a hankering need to visit their page to listen to Jesus Christ I saw that they had released Science Fiction. This is 100% their best album and worth a 9/10 in my opinion, and I usually agee with your numbers
Some of the rhythm guitars could have used some more gain/layers or something to hit harder. Jesse Lacey is obviously gonna sing how he wants, but I feel like he had a more unique vocal performance on TDAG. I feel like he's a little out of his element on these songs. That said, who am I! I couldn't write these songs and I fucking love all of them! My 3rd fave Brand New record. TDAG/Daisy/Scifi
After 4 listens I give it a 8/10 because Tdag was and will always be their best album (10/10). But Science Fiction will be a good closer to their discography. Better than Daisy would have been. Considering they are my favorite band I knew I would love it before I even listened. You know Brand New, they're good at a slow burner.
My buddy gave me a man made of tape. As in he covered someone in tape, cut them out of it, and pasted it together again to make a man out of tape. For some reason I cut off its hand and made soup out of it. I made a very basic vegetable stock and added the tape hand, whole. I drank a bowl of it and my mouth tasted like plastic and glue for months. I'm sure it gave me cancer. I was about 15 and still don't know why I did it.
I don't think Brand New's sound is about exploring the hell that is depression like you wish it was, but rather the sadness of accepting it
Billy Cobb i dont give a fa
This guy gets it.
Have / Hold youre subscribed to idubbz
Loved your interpretation.
Billy Cobb If I want that I'll listen to DSBM or Blackgaze. But probably just DSBM
that cover is 10/10 tho. imo
those girls are about to eat shit so hard
the photo is about 10 years old, it wasnt taken for this album.
Tyler Johnson great. do you know the original source?
Jon Venanzi not sure on the source but its by artist Morning Breath. I remember seeing the original in 2010 on Tumblr or something.
Jon Venanzi - The cover is based around a photograph by Swedish artist Thobias Fäldt. The photograph features two women, Malin and Emma, seemingly jumping from a window. The packaging for the release has been created by Brooklyn based studio Morning Breath, Inc., who also worked on the artwork for Daisy and "Mene"
When I first listened to the album, I was giving it a strong 5 or light 6, however, after listening to it for weeks, months, and years now, I’d give it a 10. I’d say it’s my favourite album of the decade and quite the magnum opus for Brand New. The influences from the previous albums, especially Devil & God, Daisy and Deja are awesome. I don’t hear really any Your Favorite Weapon, but that’s all right. This is just a masterpiece of an album.
couldn't agree more. one of my top of the decade for sure.
Late to this comment but yes I agree with you 100% I don’t know what it is about this album that keeps bringing me back all the time. Maybe the ways the songs can be interpreted, as you mentioned the influences from previous 3 albums or the very apparent darkness of a lot of the songs. Definitely one of my all time favs if not my all time favorite. Such a good send off to this incredibly one of a kind band
Same here, I never thought they'd top Devil And God but I'd put SF right up there with it, easily.
I knew from the first 5 seconds of the first song on first listen this was a masterpiece.
One the greatest albums ever
This album really is incredibly, devastatingly good.
I also would have rated this a 7 the first few times I listened; I really wasn't that into the slower tracks. But the more times I listened, I started to really enjoy them and got super interested in them lyrically. I do agree that a lot of the vocals aren't passionate, but I feel like that fit well into the theme of the album. 9/10 for me and easily one of my favorite albums of the year.
Jace Murphy standout tracks?
I agree with this completely. For me best tracks are out of mana, 137, same logic/teeth and 451. Batter up is also a great closer.
Chase Michael for me the standout tracks were Can't Get It Out, Same Logic/Teeth, Out Of Mana, In The Water, and 451. There isn't really a song on the album I DON'T like, though.
TriippyHD I too thought Batter Up closed the album off quite well.
Everyone who I've heard talk about this album has said the exact same thing or something similar. I imagine that by the end of the year Anthony will have warmed up to this album a bit more.
I got a twenty-dollar bill that says no one's ever seen you without makeup Fantano.
Trent Blue and I'm sick of his tattoos. And the way you always criticize Green Day, and Billie Joe.
And when I say "review this, please" I really mean "I wish to absorb your melon seed"
Somewhat melon-like the afternoons we used to spent before you dissed brand new
The first review of your mixtapes, it’s NOT GOOD just like your album
what tjhe fuck do i add
Welp, you gave it a shot. Your final conclusion is wrong, of course. But you tried and that's what matters.
Say what you will about Brand New, The Devil and God is quite literally the greatest emo album, if not one of the greatest albums period, I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. It’s one of the few albums I own on vinyl, and I only buy vinyl albums I personally rate as a 10/10. I wish Fantano would do a classic review of TDAGARIM, because I know it deserves a 10.
I wouldn’t call it emo to be honest. It’s like nothing else that exists
I think Clarity and How It Feels to Be Something On are better but this is up there.
It's not Emo. But it is one the greatest albums ever. De Ja Vu, DAG and Science Fiction are all 10s
If only he does a classic review of Devil and God. I'd love that so much, to hear what he has to say about one of the best rock albums ever. Truly spectacular.
@@mamba4817 It is emo. And the album shows what emo has the potential to sound like.
1. Devil And God - 10/10
2. Deja Entendu - 10/10
3. Science Fiction - 9.5/10
4. Daisy - 9/10
5. Your Favorite Weapon - 8.5/10
Best discography ever
Greetings fellow Grant
Here's my list:
Science fiction 10/10
Devil and god 10/10
Deja entendu 9/10
Your favorite weopon 8/10
Daisy 8/10
SciFi is my all time favorite album, but devil and god is close behind
I actually really like daisy as a vinyl . I feel it's the most underrated
EVER? Lol ok guy
IMO:
Devil and God - 10/10
Science fiction - 9.5/10
Deja - 9/10
Daisy - 8/10
Your favourite weapon - 6.5/10
People dis on Your Favorite Weapon too much, the album is such a good album, just because it doesnt compare to the rest of their emo stuff doesnt make it mot great, its got such a great nostalgic early 2000s teen feel to it, listening to it always reminds me of when i was younger and all the choices i made between friendships and relationship both with family and people i cared about
I honestly can't see why someone wouldn't like Could Never Be Heaven
Dylan Connely same. I can’t see how someone wouldn’t like Lit Me Up either. This review still bothers me lol should have been a solid 9
SilversteinRescue because he likes lil pump and new wave paramore.. if that says anything about the direction he’s going in music
I think Could Never Be Heaven and Batter Up are easily the least impressive songs on the album. however, 137, In The Water and Lit Me Up are by far the MOST impressive pieces of the record. IMO
@@chamberwaves To me Batter Up is one if the most devastatingly heartbreaking tracks Brand New ever did, but Heaven is kind of bare boned to me IMO Still a fantastic album though.
That’s mine and my wife’s “song”. The whole album is just amazing
Someone on Reddit predicted the exact name intro you would use, and the album score lol. Damn you melon, it's a 10/10 :p
Beyond ARTV Hey! It's you. I agree. Honestly I'd consider this there second best album, and for a while I considered it my favorite. As far as listening to an album all the way through, this album is the easiest to do it with. Devil and God, and Daisy are a close second in terms of full listens for me.
Yeah if you're a emo fan. And I dont mean that out of Disrespect, I genuinely believe any Brand New or huge emo fan would find this amazing and a breath of fresh air compared to other emo acts. But for me it just seemed more of the same shit but not as game changing or as good as past albums (not even a huge change sonically). I dont think this is a peak performance for them and I dont think it changes the scope of emo or music in any kind of way. It's not a 10/10 for me but I'm glad you at least like it.
Tha Swami this album is fucking sick!
@@spencerlush3056 Yeah but some of the luster is lost when compared to older projects. It wasnt the best record I heard that year.
Tha Swami devil and god #1 by far. This is a very close 2
Below 7 - It's a bad album
Above 7 - it's a good album
7 - it's an album
This is amazing ahaha. 7 is like a 5 for Fantano. Its always a mixed review that sounds like he's split down the middle.
That's how I would naturally rate albums as well, I assume it's from grade-school where 7/10 is a C
With a light 7, Melon can politely trash the album and get away with it. Not a diss tho. Smart move. See?
This is the only review I've watched, but that was the vibe I got from what he said. "Yes, Science Fiction DOES have songs on it. 7."
Damn. Son
This album is so much better than a 7/10 I cannot express that enough.
This album is their worst album 🙂
@@robertpaulsen2914 you're just wrong
@@robertpaulsen2914 WHAT??? it's literally their best album imo
@@robertpaulsen2914 bruh...
@@robertpaulsen2914 actually I agree, but is still a VERY SOLID album, but sometimes its bland
*Locks the door and hides in a corner and whispers*
"I.....I actually really liked Your Favorite Weapon.........a lot."
It’s not like it’s a bad album, it’s just the band’s worst album.
@@minimum_sage i think daisy wins thay award, just because Your Favorite Weapon doesnt give that emo vibe every other album does doesnt mean its the worst, yes it is hard to top The Devil and God and Deja Entendu, but it is my favorite album by Brand New just because it is the perfect early 2000's teen angst punk album
Qepy it’s definitely the best emo pop punk album from that era imo. maybe i just need to dig deeper but thats my take
You Favorite Weapon is a good album and a lot of fun. I appreciate that Brand New didn’t over do it. Each album is its own thing
I wish you would've dove deeper into the lyrical content
Great review, melon. I'd really like to see a video just covering The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me. I just don't know if it's old enough to be considered a classic otherwise I'd be suggesting it for Classics Week.
J Victor Definitely old enough. A little over a decade is long enough to establish an album's credibility, so to speak.
100% classic, my favorite album of the 2000s.
TDAG is an instant classic, it was old enough the moment it released.
He thought that The Glow Part 2 barely qualified as old enough to be a classic and that albums almost 2 decades old, so probably not.
J Victor If it's not to him, then Deja should be. Either one are classics.
Anthony is very right about Daisy that it is underrated. Its a raw great album
I have to disagree with you, not because I don't think your review was constructive and valid. because I think everything you came up with a perfectly valid and justified. I got really excited for this album, and listened to it all the way through at once. It was different, the singing was different, slow and screaming was more seeming as a way to emphasis than anything. But I looked up the lyrics for each songs, and they are rather deep. That's what I loved about this album personally. I liked the old emo vibes from 2006, I liked the depressive undertones, the battle under the words, the emotions put in to it. Maybe it's just me who likes deepness and meaning over sound, so with my preference, it's a wonderful album. My S/O who doesn't like the genre, said the lyrics was genius but not what they were into.
Examples: "And you've got your kind of brand new face on, where all the skin's pulled thin and taut
And every kid you see starts crying so you stop going out for walks
Well I guess nothing can be perfect, so here's a comforting thought
At the bottom of the ocean fish won't judge you by your faults (judge you by your faults)" - Same Logic/Teeth
"I'm hoping that in time, you can lay down
All this weight you've been carrying around and maybe one day
You'll find your way
To climb on up out of your grave
With the bits of you you managed to save
And for the last time
Yeah, you say good-bye" - Waste
"Be for someone else
Love is in your actions
I got a job
So let me find 10 million distractions
Some get sick
Some don't get cured
That's how it goes
But the worst is over
Chum and throw me overboard" - No Control
"I was drowning in the lake dammed
Over a dead mining town
The cars and the homes lay still in the water
The deeper I sank, the less I died
The trees swayed, slower the the tide
There were people I love below me singing" - Could Never Be Heaven
"In the valley of your slowly-fading memory
All the pastures, bathed in sun and sunlight where you won't graze
Paths you won't take?"
And even though the roar died in your throat
The lines get blurred
Lose whoever you once were
Died and returned to the earth
Found ourselves back
In love" - Batter Up
"I thought I was a creator
I'm here just hanging around
Got my messiah impression
I think I got it nailed down
I want to tell you we're alright
Want to erase all your doubt
I got this thorn dug in deeply
Sometimes I can't get it out" - Can't Get It Out
For me personally, these deep lyrics are hard hitting. Every song on this album connects to my mental problems, my physical problems, my relationships, and my dreams. But at the same time, it doesn't make me sad or depressed. it makes me feel inspired. It gives me something, I'm not sure what, but it gives me some great feelings. And if you're the type who needs some great sound, something that just sounds good on the ears, then yeah you wont enjoy this album. But sometimes lyrics are what others aim for. They enjoy the hunt behind a word. They look past singing and noise. Sometimes, words are the razors that cut deep in someone's heart, and only then can they find something to feel.
"Knowing I will die, keeps me alive"
yeah the melon fuck doesn't want an intricate album that takes time, dedication, and effort. He wants trash like lil boat by lil yachty. total trash where everything from the instrumentation and songwriting to the lyrics can be completely digested in 2 or 3 listens on a drive to the store and back. thats why he didn't like The Hotelier's Home, Like Noplace Is There, that's why he didn't like The National's Trouble Will Find Me (he gave it a 4, like wtf??)
The man doesn't care about music that takes effort anymore because he turned a passion into a job. he wants music that goes down smooth and digests easy
@@quill6408
This comment is really funny.
I WAITED FOR A BRAND NEW REVIEW FROM YOU EVER SINCE I DISCOVERED YOU IN 2012 AND I WAIT 5 FUCKING YEARS TO HEAR THEM GET A LIGHT 7 WTF IM GONNA SHOOT UP A MCDONALDS
When you have Earl's worst album as your profile pic
a brand new review??? he drops a new review every day rkbnsoonofdgso
he meant the band, because he's reviewing the band brand new
I Just Gave My Nigga Head it's almost like other people have different opinions
I Just Gave My Nigga Head, Standing on my two legs
Anthony has never deeply reckoned with himself and this review shows it. He criticizes 137 but it is the dead center of the album. All of the songs on the periphery are emotional and frank while 137 is cold and fatalistic. He also criticizes the crescendo but it builds the energy for Out of Mana which is the most manic burst of energy on the album and is a song he enjoyed. Basically Anthony you're not seeing the big picture here. This album has a voice and you're not hearing it.
I think understanding the purpose of a song in the context of an album isn't the same as enjoying it. He's said before that he rates albums based off enjoyment, except in rare occasions where the music is so incredibly personal and heartbreaking that enjoyment isn't a factor (A Crow Looked at Me)
HAVEN'T LISTENED TO THIS ALBUM YET BUT FUCK YEAH ANYTHONYS REVIEWING BRAND NEW I LOVE YOU ANTWAN
Venomous Watermelon *Antonio fantonio
ryan toys review Antinonette fantinano
Who remembers the Brand New Taking Back Sunday beef
Sean David who remembers how BN came out on top
SoundsUnderground I don’t think anyone came out on top lmfao
is that what you call tact? you're as subtle as a brick in the small of my back, so let's end this call and end this conversation
Dominic Bennett I love how that line is in seventy times seven and there’s no I in team. Emo lore 😳
Have another drink and drive yourself home. I hope there's ice on all the roads. And you can think of me when you forget your seatbelt then when your head goes through the windshield
Jesse killed 'em with BARZ.
BARZ
SCIENCE FICTION is a hell of a masterpiece. 10/10. Such a pity the way everything was ruined for this band.
It was going to be their last album but I would have still preferred the band went out on a better note. I still love the band and will always listen to them, and I will always think of Jesse as one of the greatest songwriters to ever live, but if the allegations are true, it really is a damn shame.
MediumWriter he literally admitted to it lol
os terminal uhh yeah it is. If you’re creepy and take advantage of underage fans, then I obviously don’t want to support you anymore. It’s not a difficult concept.
os terminal um he literally used his position of power from his music to take advantage of multiple underage fans, it’s our place to judge, he’s a piece of shit
@@puddlesplashers he never admitted it wtf he admitted to cheating on his wife and his wife aready knew about it and he was getting help
Surprisingly I didn't mind the record being such a slow burn in comparison to the previous stuff. This being their final album really made me read into the lyrics. I think a good bit of it is Jesse Lacey exercising what demons he had left and saying goodbye like on waste "this is the last one." Gets me everytime.
People who are in a similar mental spot as Jesse (assuming he's the sole lyricist) will probably enjoy this album more so than someone who isn't currently in that deep. Also, think about who you were when you were 18 (likely a totally different person). I think it's super important to let musicians grow up. I would say the group has aged beautifully.
Good review melon. See where you're coming from but this might be aoty for me, really sucker punched me the first listen and I have scarcely listened to anything else since its release.
Patrick Mangiaforte agreed.
Patrick Mangiaforte This, After Laughter by Paramore and Melodrama by Lorde are my favorite albums this year
+Joshua Acosta are you ARTV?
Wherethony Waltano
W
stole my comment hahah
l W
Stop Anthony Fantano
Stop Anthony Fantano there's no stopping this melon.
This is a solid 9 wtf my melonian?
tomdotexe I personally would give it a 10. What kept it from reaching that 10 mark for you?
few cringey lines and a few acoustic songs that sound the same as their others. Less energy in the vocals. I think if you took all the good stuff from deja entendu and pared it with this one it would be a 10...
tomdotexe Nah those make sense and are all valid. Idk i really like the subdued, even trancelike vocals in some parts. It feels like it fits the tone. Either way, i'm glad you enjoyed it!
9 for me as well, Desert dropped it down a point imo, whenever Jesse trys to attack Religion/Political parties (Archers, etc...), he always does it in this backhanded and very arrogant way. He doesn't describe any faults, he just talks to himself about what a dick this imaginary character is.
Yockey Meme Machine When he did this with Me v. Maradona v. Elvis it worked but I see exactly where you're coming from
Sad not to see "137" on your favs. "let's all go play Nagasaki...let's all go meet our maker, they don't care whose side you're on."
THEY TOOK THIS OFF TH-cam & IM LITERALLY SCREAMINH VRYING THROWING UO SHITTING IN A CORNER
9/10 - hits me emotionally. I guess that part is subjective
This album takes several listens while reading the lyrics imo, while other albums more easily showed the emotion in the way the vocals were presented (Deja especially) this album takes a lot of reading into to understand how painful it is. Probably ranks third on my list of Brand New albums, though every albums by Brand New other than their first has been a 10/10 for me
Wow you gave this a DAMN./10
Plzaint aka Plank W
Plzaint aka Plank w
So unoriginal
slim shady there are no dead memes in fantanobase
Dead meme......
in that case here's a W
This is the first review the Melon has done that I genuinely cannot bring myself to understand how he came to this conclusion. I guess I appreciate the shoutout to Daisy though
Jesse is one of the most distinctive vocalist of his generation in my opinion.
His voice is great but his lyricism is something else. Absolute poetry
@@sethstoll8525 limousine bro fuck, that song give me goosebumps everytime. The songwriting there is astounding
All facts
This is a 9 AT THE LEAST.
It's flawless, lyrically brilliant, suppose to be melancholic, and musically powerful. No skips.
I personally skip could never be heaven and desert
@@drakethesnake3984how does one skip could never be heaven
@@bigsalamimommy9346 I don’t know what was wrong with me back then but Ive Changed my mind.
im angry, this is my angry comment. I classified this album as one of the greatest of all time, which I know is a stretch. I just think the album is amazing. I've never been super into Brand New but I've liked them for a while now, this album made me rediscover them in the perfect way. I found it was a perfect last album for the band. I could go into a million reasons why but I'm too lazy and no ones gonna read dis anyway. Good vid tho anthony
TheSeanMcLean i read your comment and totally agree
TheSeanMcLean in all seriousness, I think his is the best album of 2017
The new Mastodon album was pretty awesome too but i think this is a step above that so ..... we're on the same page.
This album has loads of callbacks and references hidden in it, I think it's been made for fans as a goodbye. I love it. Anthony, maybe do a video on Deja or Devil and God?? Really want to know your thoughts
Wow you couldn't be more wrong
Best album they've done, imo. Also it's more uptempo than Devil and God, so I don't get the complaint of it being mellow.
Fantano the contrarian hipster.
The album sounds like high schoolers wrote it. It’s weak at best. Nowhere near Devil and God in greatness.
why do you keep giving critically revered albums 7's
Contrarian for attention
Because he doesn't listen to the albums enough. This album isn't very immediate but when it clicks it's so good.
Anthony, you can never read too much into a Brand New album
I'm a huge fan of this album, but also have just gotten into Brand New over the last few years, meaning I don't have as much stake with their old discography. You raise great points with the vocal delivery, which I hadn't originally noticed, but for me it's made up in full by the diversity of the songs and the incredible instrumentals.
This album is a 10. Masterpiece.
They aren't emo after Deja Vu
deja intendu
@@rminter44 Deja Entendu
You spend almost this entire review speaking in that style where you intonate upwards at the end of ever sentence. I cant unhear it.
thank you, i hate you
Personally a 9. Could never be heaven is one of my faves.
This album is my personal favorite from BN, and definitely top 5 favorite albums ever, but that's mostly because of my personal connection to it and the circumstances in which I discovered it. The production in this album is MASTERFUL, particularly in songs like Lit Me Up, Waste, Could Never Be Heaven, 451, Batter Up. It really sells the atmosphere of "deep under the sea", a theme eluded to from the beginning of the album ("deep Atlantic trench"), and throughout, ("under the ocean, next to a boiling vent"). The droning, airy instrumentation and production give this album a very dark, morose atmosphere, which I love. This album is a pleasure to listen to with some good speakers (good headphones work too, but speakers give the spacey feel much better). I would rate this album a solid 8, to maybe a 9, depending on my mood.
2 years later and I'm still reeling from this man giving this album a 7.. yikes
LIGHT 7. Such a joke, this album is so fucking fantastic. I still listen to it constantly.
I think that Science Fiction will age beautifully. May not stand out yet, but in a year or two could be considered one of Brand New's best works.
Personally, I think you were right, even after the Jesse controversy. 🤔
I love how everyone was just talking about how Lil Peep is the "future of emo" and then Brand New comes around the corner like "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY" and releases this masterpiece
Caleb Acosta lol
oof
@@joshuaacosta5671 shit, dude. thats dark
Seth Stoll oh yeah I’m only just realizing this now that....this has happened. Should I delete the comment?
Joshua Acosta oof man...big oof
I don't think it's fair to say it sounded like a 90s grunge/alt album. The lyrics are way deeper than that era ever had to offer as was the instrumentation. As for Jesse's voice, it is one of the most recognizable voices in rock. You know it's a Brand New song right away. Not sure why you would say his voice isn't unique.
Jesse sang 'you cracked your head and broke your bones' like the guy from Three Days Grace would have. I had to check to make sure it wasn't actually a line from a Three Days Grace song because I thought I had heard it before. He sounds like he's holding back that most recognizable voice in rock.
I'll concide that certain parts of songs do sound a little bit like Nirvana or some other hard rock/grunge band. Especially the riff to 137, but overall it's very Brand New to me. Lyrics and instrumentation are way better than any rock band from Nirvana's era or early 2000s hard rock era. I will agree that there are points where he held back too much and that is probably the only thing that keeps this album at an 8.5 for me instead of a 10, but I do think that despite Jesse holding back the vocals do fit the flow and theme of the album just fine.
Smashing Pumpkins ''Siamese Dream'' (1993) album contains tons of over like 50-70 layers of guitar on almost each song lol so don't asume instrumentation wasn't there.. asuming if you even know the band. Brand New is great but just wanted to correct you on ''instrumentation are way batter than >>ANY
Pretty sure almost every song on In Utero is deeper than this album ... also Soundgarden and Smashing Pumpkins were known to be pretty technical...
That's a fair statement. I Like Mellon Collie more than Simease Dream though I must admit. I wasn't even thinking of the pumpkins as much as I was refering to the power chords heavy grunge bands but you're right. Corgan is probably one of a very few that rival Jesss/Brand New in lyrics and instrumentation. SP are more dream popish though whereas Brand New is a bit more dark.
Welp that was a sit on the fence and say nothing too controversial review, Brandthony Newtano...
I feel like you weren't that fond of it but knew you'd get hammered in the comments with a score less than 6-7... Their albums aren't meant for quick consumption and appreciation over 1-2 listens... I'd be more interested to hear you review/revisit this album again in a year to see if you change your tone at all.
I found it odd you kept hitting on Jesse's vocals being so subdued, when this album's entire vibe is essentially nothing like TDAGARIM or Deja even, so knocking the vocals here just seems as if you were expecting one thing and got another, and you didn't care for it because it wasn't what you expected.. just my two cents on your two cents.
8.5/10 from me FWIW
I agree. I feel like there are many times when Anthony's review of an album is affected heavily by what he expects of the artist and what the artist has done in the past, instead of just analysing every album on its own. The history of each artist is important, of course, but I feel Anthony lets it cloud his judgment.
I also feel as if there were other themes in this album that deserved attention, such as religion. More than one song in this album deals with the belief in God in the face of disaster, and I expected Anthony to at least talk about it. 137's lyrics are beautiful in that regard. It's a great song about people who would rather welcome the apocalypse and "learn to love the bomb" than feel anger and question their God. It's a bit of a let down that Anthony just said something about Jesse's flat vocals and not much more.
It's an 8 for me too.
Glad I'm not alone in feeling like he sometimes has preconceived expectations of an artist's album an it shapes how he feels about the actual project itself rather than the project being reviewed as a standalone piece. He made some fair points. I feel like this album serves the people who are already fans of Brand New well, but wont draw in a flood of new fans. He didn't specifically say this, but I think that because there isn't a "Jesus" or "Sic Transit Gloria" etc leading song on it which gives you a quick hit to draw you in he's harder on it.
ProdByTommyGunz Unless you have proof that he's pandering, quit spouting conjecture and just agree or disagree with what he's saying. Conjecture is a copout for an actual argument or discussion in general.
ProdByTommyGunz This should be top comment tbh
I like your comment but it's funny that you told Anthony not to rate it so early and then rated it yourself.
As someone who generally likes your reviews, I have to be brutally honest and say what I'm sure you knew while making this... This is one of the laziest music reviews I've ever heard. I caught at least two contradictions, super surface level with nothing very deep as far as critique OR acclaim, sitting on the fence through most of it, not listening to it enough times, no talk about the lyrics, no mention of the bass work which is absolutely one of the most important parts of the album, comparing it to previous work rather than looking at it on its own terms, etc. I have to echo what a few people have commented. I think you should do another video with a more in depth review.
That being said, I think you hit on some interesting points. I agree with you that after a couple listens it does all the sudden start turning memorable, it does sound like it could have been released 20 years ago, and Jesse's vocals do sound much less gripping than they have in the past.
To go with your half baked review of the album, here's my even lazier one. After 2 listens I would have given this a 6. After 6 listens I'd give it an 8. The reason is that at first it just sounded like a band who've mastered what they do, but are kind of over doing it. That's at least the way I read what you read as them not going very deep into any of the emotions they were trying to hit. Then I caught on to some things I hadn't before. Most importantly, I forgot that this band is usually dynamic and chill-inducing and looked at the album on its own terms. All of the sudden the whole thing made sense. I still don't think this album is lightning in a bottle the way some of their other work had been, but had wilco written this, I think people would be giving it a 9. It's a masterwork on every level except standing out in their catalogue. It's just a different beast than you keep expecting it to be because of what they usually do so well.
Legend says the somoli pirate got stuck in a comment section and never got out
Plzaint aka Plank W
Plzaint aka Plank W
Plzaint aka Plank W
W
stop posting stupid shit and having your alts reply W to it
sorry melon but this is truly a 10/10
You're crazy. I admit, I was a little put off by how melodramatic the sound of this record was at first listen, but now I can proudly say that it's surpassed Devil and God for me. One of those records you can listen all the way through without needing to skip a track.
real Melons don't actually care for the video but watch it in attempt to get a top comment, then dip
Album of the decade. Period.
This is what I consider to be a perfect album
Who remembers the review where he just ate hummus all videos and gave it a Hummus/10
Plzaint aka Plank W
Plzaint aka Plank W
Plzaint aka Plank w
L
The fact you gave yourself W's is pretty sad
I feel like you listened to the album once while you were in a bad mood and based your critique off just that.
You mispronounced “10” on the rating but it’s okay
Science fiction = 10
Daisy = 10
Devil and god = 10
Deja = 10
Brand new deliver only quality
hell yes, daisy was underrated. perhaps one of my favorite records of all time.
this album is pretty good too. gets better each listen.
really sad that you didn't touch on the lyrical themes of the album more cause that's what made this album really solid imo...but good review melon
stop with those DAMN 7's melon
This album sounds like it’s pre - smartphone addiction.
It’s in my top 20 albums of all time.
the devil and god are raging inside me will always be their #1 imo
The Daisy LP is INSANELY underrated. SO happy you pointed that out, thanks Melon 👍
I definitely agree that some of the slower tracks didn't give me the impact they should have with the lyrics and somberness being what they are but overall I really enjoyed the album. It doesn't reach the level of the devil and god.. but it's definitely something I will be listening to off and on for months to come. 8/10 good review. WHY NO JAPANESE BREAKFAST REVIEW??!??!!!?! That was a 9.5 to me!!!!
I think one of the things that has to be addressed when explaining this album is that it is their Farewell. They blend sounds from their entire career into one album, packaged up with a message that says thanks for everything, life is going to go on now without us as a band
I guess Brand New is now Rusty Old
Plzaint aka Plank W
Plzaint aka Plank W
Plzaint aka Plank w
Plzaint aka Plank sounds like Pokémon games. Pokémon Brand New and Rusty Old. 😂
I think it more speaks towards life, and feeling estranged from the masses. It's not hell, it's definitely not joy, but it has a lot of empty voids that are covered by a lot of blankets and masks. That's why I absolutely love 137 and Could Never Be Heaven. Also, if you listen to batter up thinking this may be Brand New's last album, it may the passing of the torch saying everyone else should spread their message. We don't wanna say goodbye, but we need to...for now at least. Acceptance, not emotional hell.
Been to 5 Brand New shows live and have been a big fan since 2005. The main reason I think the band is so good is because they progress and grow each album. This album did feel like a career closing album with lots of call backs to old albums and of course Jesse still wants to sound like Morrissey on every track but I do feel like the lyrics and content of this album was closer to what the band is about and what Jesse has always tried to do with his music rather then in the past when they tried to fit into a music scene that they didn't really feel 100% comfortable in (Brand New toured with bands like Thrice and Alkaline Trio, tons of metal heads/punk rockers in the crowd had no clue who Brand New was) and now they have progressed into just making the music they want.
Name a "Emo" band that has accomplished more and been together for longer and is still making music that is true to themselves.
Also you never reviewed Julian Baker's album "Sprained Ankle" so what the fuck do you know about emo music.
He keeps ripping on waste but i gotta say i absolutely LOVE that track. The whole album was meant to be a deeper meaningful album, and i think that song definitely gets the point across and just sounds beautiful. I do miss the sound from albums such as TDAGRWM or Deja, but i also think the sounds off this album is amazing.
You gave darn a 7 but Mellons new candy cane shirt a 420 blazing?!?!?!?!
Never heard brand new before and listened to the whole album and loved it. The review is a little over the top critical; sometimes you need to not think; just turn the lights off grab some popcorn kick back relax and enjoy the moment. Also, his comments about it not being emotional enough? Come on I don't need to feel like slashing my wrist every time I hear music. The level of emotion and grit was appropriate; I really enjoyed it I give it a 8.5.
at this point i consider a 7 from fantano a 10 in my books
Lol too bad he never mentioned in the water. That track is really the peak of their slower vibe on the album imo and Jesse isn’t completely dead sounding like he is on no control imo
anthony, buddy, pal, amigo....you're wrong
There is just something about each Brand New album that hits that spot of being sad in a unique way.
The story of Brand New is sad in general. The allegations still get to me, because they kinda aligned with me losing closeness with my college friends, timeline wise, and we all loved Brand New.
@@isetmfriendsofire I feel that. The early Brand New albums always remind me of high school. Then their 3rd and 4th albums remind me of college and being in the military. Science Fiction came out right after I got done with that, and it was a new positive time in life for me. Then there were the allegations and I juat tried to ignore them. I'm not going to let that ruin those albums for me.
So this is what Waldo does now huh
I think for a lot of heavy brand new fans, it's hard to hear someone who isn't a huge fan give Science Fiction an "average" score of 7/10. It's also really hard for us to be unbiased. Brand New is by far my favorite band of all time, but I wouldn't say that all of their albums are perfect, nor would I really be able to say that this the "best album" of 2017 the way a lot of people are stating here in these comments. Quite honestly, I still haven't listened to the record enough to say what score I would give it. I will say though that after listening to this record numerous times in the last 4 days, it doesn't disappoint me as a long time and devoted Brand New fan. The album moves very well and has some extremely intriguing lyrics ranging in topic from personal religious struggles to the band's imminent break up. Sonically, the album carries a dark and eerie vibe that Brand New fans simply cannot resist, and seems to have shades of each of the other four records Brand New has released. Best album of the year though? Daisy wasn't my best album of 2009. So to all the hardcore Brand New fans and music fans in general, I say we finish the year first and enjoy what has come and what may potentially come in the next few months. This is a good review though Fantano. I may have a few disagreements, but well done man 👌
6:00 "very Melon choly direction"
Anthony have you ever thought about doing a video about what your looking for in music? Every critic has a sense about what turns them off and on. Would love to hear your take on that.
NEW KING GIZZARD ALBUM. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
I would have rated this album a light 7 when I first heard it.... But it really grows on you, and gets better with each listen. At least a 9.5
Hey everyone, Jessiethony isadisgustinghumantano here
Nah he makes good music
Agreed. How long you think it's gonna be before people forget about Jesse Lacey being terrible person and start listening to brand new again like they did with John Lennon and the beatles
Hey look, it barely took a week and here we are.
What's your guys Brand New Worst to Best? Mine is
Daisy - Worst
YFW
Science Fiction
Deja
Devil and God - Best
This album, to me, was well worth the wait.
I would have given it the same score if it didn't sink into me with the slower songs and better composition, their melody is beyond everything else after you catch it. I missed the noise, the screaming. But i got over it. It's a brand new album from Brand New. They never do the same thing twice. This is at least a strong 8 or light 9.
YOU GAVE DAMN A 7 BUT YOU GAVE SCIENCE FICTION A 7?????
great review, i agree with a lot of your points. i'll add that i felt like with "lit me up" (the only song that really excited me) they were going in somewhat of a post-punk direction. that song reminded me a bit of The Cure's Pornography. then "can't get it out" was such a sharp turn, what with the upbeat guitar and bouncy whistling. i feel like if they'd stuck with the post-punk influence, they would've had better success reaching that despondent, melancholy sound the themes implied. and since it didn't really feel like they brought that much of a new sound with this album, seeing them dip their toes into post-punk would've been an interesting route to see them take. better than what feels like a handful of songs that could've shown up on The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me or Daisy.
ARTV reviewed this better in my opinion.
I can see where you're coming from with your criticisms of the album but I'd have to say I disagree. I think the bands evolution in both instrumentation and lyricism is in full force on SciFi. A lot of the songs have really interesting concepts that I havent heard other bands tackle as well as Brand New has. (Same Logic and 137 come to mind). I think the guitar work that Vin brings to the album is a very natural and welcomed step away from Daisy, with a heavy grunge influence that mixes really profoundly with the heavier and louder songs. In fact, I think the acoustic ballad at the end of Out of Mana shares a similar riff from Nirvanas "You Know You're Right". Your point about Jesse's vocals is valid, however I think songs such as Can't Get it Out, Same Teeth and 451 have the same emotional depth as TDAG and Deja. Even in No Control, where Jesse sings at a barely audible whisper, I can still feel the emotion in his voice. This is all just my opinion however and I can say that while I would have given the album a 9, a 7 is very respectable. Thanks for reviewing this album, its the first in a long time where Ive had some really strong feelings for a body of music.
Shut the lights off, put on headphones, and listen again. I've always liked some of Brand New's work but never been a huge fan. Even turned down free tickets to see them once (which I now regret) but upon a hankering need to visit their page to listen to Jesus Christ I saw that they had released Science Fiction. This is 100% their best album and worth a 9/10 in my opinion, and I usually agee with your numbers
Some of the rhythm guitars could have used some more gain/layers or something to hit harder. Jesse Lacey is obviously gonna sing how he wants, but I feel like he had a more unique vocal performance on TDAG. I feel like he's a little out of his element on these songs. That said, who am I! I couldn't write these songs and I fucking love all of them! My 3rd fave Brand New record. TDAG/Daisy/Scifi
You gave this a 7 and DAMN a 7?
C. X. Smith Sounds about right.
Damn melonhead, this is at least an 8 👏👏
7's the new 10, apparently
After 4 listens I give it a 8/10 because Tdag was and will always be their best album (10/10). But Science Fiction will be a good closer to their discography. Better than Daisy would have been. Considering they are my favorite band I knew I would love it before I even listened. You know Brand New, they're good at a slow burner.
one more jumpscare and I unsubscribe 0:31
Sherk, The Mighty Ogre That Layered Your Chick W
Sherk, The Mighty Ogre That Layered Your Chick W
Sherk, The Mighty Ogre That Layered Your Chick L
Jake Pauler Dab Dab
Sherk, The Mighty Ogre That Layered Your Chick L
My buddy gave me a man made of tape. As in he covered someone in tape, cut them out of it, and pasted it together again to make a man out of tape.
For some reason I cut off its hand and made soup out of it. I made a very basic vegetable stock and added the tape hand, whole. I drank a bowl of it and my mouth tasted like plastic and glue for months. I'm sure it gave me cancer. I was about 15 and still don't know why I did it.