Daisy is the fourth studio album from New York rockers Brand New. The band has been away for a few years, and has just confirmed that they’ll be playing Wembley Arena in January. But I can’t help thinking that this album is a bit… well, disappointing.

 

TRACK BY TRACK:

Vices – The album opens with almost Victorian like piano with a woman on vocals, but then descends into "screamo" madness with looping guitar riffs. The song ends on a high with a skilful guitar solo.

 

Bed – A complete change with whispered lyrics that are hard to follow and a musical background that is just too mellow. This is one to forget really.

 

At The Bottom – This is a good song with a really strong chorus including band experimentation with multiple voices. The impressive lyrics are complemented by screaming in the background before a lonely guitar ending.

 

Gasoline – This track has a strong drum backbone which is reminiscent of the White Stripes with added screaming, and ended in a mass of feedback.

 

You Stole – This is my highlight of the album, with its gentle lyrics and slow guitar backing, before breaking down into a wall of huge guitars. It ends serenely and is a real testament to how far the band has come.

 

Be Gone – A short almost interlude song, with distorted lyrics. Instead of being impressed with the effects used, I just found that they started to get annoying.

 

Sink – This again sounds like the White Stripes, but for every Jack White style vocal, a fierce scream is interspersed. The song breaks down into a huge "screamo" chorus, and is one for those who like their rock hard.

 

Bought a bride – This song has haunting lyrics and seems to be going somewhere different before it goes to a heavy break down instrumental, like so many other tracks.

 

Daisy – The title track starts with a man talking on a radio and morphs into a brilliantly executed song with good lyrics. It has a haunting girls voice in it, and a surprisingly gentle end. Great track.

 

In a Jar – This has good lyrics but again sounds like a lot of the rest of the album with massive breakdowns and roaring vocals.

 

Noro – This is a fitting ending song with backing vocals weaving in and out of the spoken main lyrics. The album ends the same as it began, with the same piano and woman singing.

 

 

VERDICT – A must have for devoted fans, but this record gets a bit repetitive. It’s a successful formula, but the band could have branched out more. I found this quite hard to get into, and give it 3/5.

Katherine Alder