Brand New - The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me

Brand New are one of those bands. They skirt the fringes of pop-punk society but when they decide to join the party, well, they bring the noise. The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me is their master plan. The third album from New York three-piece is as much a departure from their usual style as it is magnificent. Think of this as a fine wine that has matured over the years and deserves time to be appreciated. Take the 54 minutes and 51 seconds to truly enjoy this album and you won't be disappointed.

The opener 'Sowing Season (Yeah)' sets the tone for the rest of the record. Often overt but never over-the-top the album progresses through such journeys into music as 'Jesus' and 'Degausser' and often reaching the giddy heights of heavy rock, with the thrashing guitars and heavy drums of 'Welcome To Bangkok'. The true highlight of this album is the midway point, the track 'Limousine (MS Rebridge)' with its rolling lyrics and repeated chorus it ends with a startling finale of feedback and grinding guitar strings. Well worth the 7 minutes.

The commercial success of this album has caused some much needed attention for Brand New. They are a band with many facets and deserve the success they have received. Reaching number 31 on the Billboard 200 and being named album of the year by punknews is all good news.

Brand New have reached out to new audiences with this record. There isn't really anything grand that it wants to say. There are themes of love and loss and internal conflict, hence the title (also referenced from a conversation with Daniel Johnston), and this is all common fare amongst the pop-rock-punk fraternity. Along with these are many references to modern culture and news stories, such as the seven year old girl killed by a drunk-driver. Jesse's voice has reached a new level, at points screamo and others melodic, and sometimes Modest Mouse, but always on point. There are so many stories behind this album that it would be a disservice to list them here. It is for the listener to find out and go on the journey. And this is the point behind this record. It needs the listener to sit down and take the time to enjoy every chord, drumbeat and musical soundbite.

The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me will stand as not only Brand New's most adventurous and successful record, but also stand shoulder to shoulder with their brethren in the genre.

Alkaline Trio - Agony & Irony

This is Alkaline Trio's sixth studio album so they have firmly planted themselves in the pop-punk-rock camp and definitely know what they are all about. As you would imagine from such an established band this is a rock solid effort, and is more than worthy to stand next to 'Good Mourning' and 'Crimson'.

The album title really sets the tone for the whole record. As Matt Skiba mentions : "there's a theme of duality on the record". The themes of this album deal with love, loss, hope and despair. From the opening catchy chords of 'Calling All Skeletons' you can tell what this album wants to say. Something that makes a statement. And beneath all the rolling lyrics and radio-friendly choruses there is a real burning issue that needs to be addressed. Possibly a dig at American politics or foreign policy which is veiled by stories of people and the issues they have. It's as though they want to scream from the rooftops of how damaged their country, and possibly themselves, are, but Alkaline Trio are far too clever for that. So they hide it away in the sub-context of a breakup or an argument between lovers. As a first album this would seem pretentious and weak, but Alkaline Trio have earned their right to be a little bit clever.

As for the music, this is standard far from the three-piece. There is a progression in the music, as there should be on a sixth studio release, but if it aint broke, then don't fix it. And the album sales are there to prove the point, reaching number 13 on the Billboard 200. Obvious highlights are the aforementioned opener 'Calling All Skeletons' and the first single 'Help Me'. 'Over And Out' is about as sentimental as these songs get, and even then they manage to pull it off. As for the rest of the album it goes off without a hitch. One notable track near the end is 'Lost And Rendered'. With it's heavy guitars and interesting use of various soundbites it is a good change of pace and throws the listener out of the comfort zone they have settled into. Possibly a good change of direction for further albums perhaps?

If you want to hear a solid record and possibly be forced into thinking about the lyrics then you can do a lot worse than 'Agony & Irony'. As an Alkaline trio album it will stand in the stable as one of the highlights from their career.