Trystan's Best #11: Brand New - Deja Entendu

Released: June 17th, 2003

Brand New's second album Deja Entendu is a bitter, bitter collection of songs, and that's ok because they are also some of the best pop-punk songs put to plastic this decade. Jumping between terribly catchy, hook-driven songs like "Sic Transit Gloria... Glory Fades" and "Ok I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't" and the more introverted, often acoustic tracks "The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot" and "Play Crack The Sky", Brand New never lets the listener get comfortable with one kind song. While this can sometimes be jarring in the hands of a lesser group, Brand New weaves through these songs perfectly. At one point you will be pumping your fist, another you'll be reaching for your lighter (or cellphone as the case may be), and all throughout you will never be confused of the honest and uncontrived emotion to be found here.