The clearing of the air.
What's up, everyone? It's been a little while. Sorry about the extended hiatus from blogging; I've been officially a Twitter addict for the better part of the past few months, but I promise not to let this blog go to seed anymore. (However, if you want daily ruminations on my mundane life, by all means, please follow me.)
Anyway, I'm writing today because of Daisy. No, not this thing:
This thing:
Brand New's Daisy comes out on Sept. 22, which is in three weeks. Unfortunately, the record leaked this past weekend, sending everyone into a frenzy over who could hear it first -- and along with that, be the first publication or website to review it.
Being the music editor for a national magazine, I'm luckier than most: Publicists are usually able to get us advance music for hotly anticipated albums well before their street dates in hopes that we'll enjoy it enough to want to write about it in our magazine. In this case, I was sent a secure audio stream to Daisy on July 27, nearly two months before the record would hit stores. Due to publication deadlines (and the fact that I was out of the country on vacation through August 4), I was unable to fully absorb Daisy in enough time to accurately write a review for the print edition of AP. Thus, it was worked out with the band's publicist that I could run a web-exclusive review of the album on Sept. 7, a shade over two weeks before its release.
Of course, all that changed with the album leaking, and thus, the publicist contacted me this morning and told me we could run our review as soon as we wanted to, due to the circumstances. While my final draft wasn't done, I was quickly able to re-visit the album to get my thoughts straight, thanks to the leak which I admit to downloading strictly for professional convenience's sake. My review, which was based on roughly a month's worth of absorption (I'd estimate between 40-50 full listens), was published on altpress.com earlier today. Do I think it's the best review I've ever written? Not even close. But do I feel comfortable about it, knowing that I accurately conveyed what I thought were the album's high and low points? You betcha.
Judging by comments left by fans on our website as well as our Facebook and Twitter pages, the response has been mixed; some people agree with me, and some people don't. That's totally fine; music is subjective, and there's no reason you have to agree with someone.
But the reason I'm writing all of this is because of this accusation. I won't really even bother to address it besides to say that he is absolutely wrong in his assessment of how often I've heard the music. One day, maybe that kid will realize he isn't the most important person in the world and not every band, label and publicist kowtows to him -- but I doubt it.
For those of you who have heard Daisy -- even in live videos from YouTube -- what are your thoughts on it thus far? And furthermore, do you think your opinion will change after 10 listens? What about 20? Or 50?
Anyway, I'm writing today because of Daisy. No, not this thing:
This thing:
Brand New's Daisy comes out on Sept. 22, which is in three weeks. Unfortunately, the record leaked this past weekend, sending everyone into a frenzy over who could hear it first -- and along with that, be the first publication or website to review it.
Being the music editor for a national magazine, I'm luckier than most: Publicists are usually able to get us advance music for hotly anticipated albums well before their street dates in hopes that we'll enjoy it enough to want to write about it in our magazine. In this case, I was sent a secure audio stream to Daisy on July 27, nearly two months before the record would hit stores. Due to publication deadlines (and the fact that I was out of the country on vacation through August 4), I was unable to fully absorb Daisy in enough time to accurately write a review for the print edition of AP. Thus, it was worked out with the band's publicist that I could run a web-exclusive review of the album on Sept. 7, a shade over two weeks before its release.
Of course, all that changed with the album leaking, and thus, the publicist contacted me this morning and told me we could run our review as soon as we wanted to, due to the circumstances. While my final draft wasn't done, I was quickly able to re-visit the album to get my thoughts straight, thanks to the leak which I admit to downloading strictly for professional convenience's sake. My review, which was based on roughly a month's worth of absorption (I'd estimate between 40-50 full listens), was published on altpress.com earlier today. Do I think it's the best review I've ever written? Not even close. But do I feel comfortable about it, knowing that I accurately conveyed what I thought were the album's high and low points? You betcha.
Judging by comments left by fans on our website as well as our Facebook and Twitter pages, the response has been mixed; some people agree with me, and some people don't. That's totally fine; music is subjective, and there's no reason you have to agree with someone.
But the reason I'm writing all of this is because of this accusation. I won't really even bother to address it besides to say that he is absolutely wrong in his assessment of how often I've heard the music. One day, maybe that kid will realize he isn't the most important person in the world and not every band, label and publicist kowtows to him -- but I doubt it.
For those of you who have heard Daisy -- even in live videos from YouTube -- what are your thoughts on it thus far? And furthermore, do you think your opinion will change after 10 listens? What about 20? Or 50?
7 Comments:
Every band is going to have an album that is a let down to fans. Daisy is going to do that for some. Nothing can ever be as good as it was at its peak, so I completely agree with your evaluation.
It's also unfair for fans to expect the same type of album as it was written by Vince, so of course it's going to have a different feel.
I think the fact that Tate is acting like a seven year old with a hurt ego on a playground is Absolute Bullshit.
My thoughts exactly, Scott. I think you were a little bit too genorous with the 3.5/5, I'd rate it 3/5. People giving this a higher rating than Thrice's Beggars are down right insane to me.
Deja Entendu is consistently good all the way from beginning to start. It's Brand New's masterpiece.
TDGARIM is consistent but not as much as Deja. Handcuffs and some moments on the second part of the record.
Daisy is a mess where differently than on DE and TDGARIM, their influences got into their songwriting way too much. While DE and TDGARIM the Smiths/Morrissey's influences work beautifully, Daisy fails mostly for Jesse trying so fucking hard be someone else. He isn't Kurt. He isn't Isaac. He isn't Blake. He isn't Daryl. And most of the lyrics on this even though there're good moments, are down right stupid.
Beginning of "At the Bottom" = beginning of "Custom Concern." Prove me wrong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQC4XbYvHUo
And "Vices" = "Negative Creep". From start to end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eS5EMYb5hQ
The only upside I can see coming from this record is that the same kids that idolize Jesse Lacey start digging deeper on old discographies, like Nirvana, Pixies, Jesus Lizard, Modest Mouse, Glassjaw, The Blood Brothers etc.
And if I'm lucky enough, a Jesse Lacey solo record where he realizes he is too much of a good singer and songwriter to waste himself screaming like he wished to be someone else.
About Jason Tate, he is the most delusional Brand New fanboy I'll
ever be aware of. This record is far from great. He BANNED me from absolutepunk.net for saying this record is good, but far from great. He doesn't let his users expresse their opinions: the only ones that are allowed to stay are the ones that keep agreeing constantly with him.
Scott, you may have already read the comment I left for you on facebook, but here it goes again.
I feel that this is the best record Brand New could have written at this point in time. It isn't their best record overall, but it certainly is better than about 95% of other music pouring through the speakers of teens and young adults across America today.
[i]Daisy[/i] is a tremendously challenging record to listen to and comprehend. As you said in your review, the media embargo the band have seemingly put in place has made the dots a little harder to connect between where they were and where they are now. "Vices" is an abnormally abrasive track and certainly won't draw in those that got into BN based on hearing "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows". I feel like "At The Bottom" was a great track to pick as a single, because it does show that the band haven't forgotten how to write a hook, but they do so more subtly. This album is different from TDAGARIM, I believe, in that it is more visceral in contrast to the prior album's ethereal nature. But when this band has dealt with super-heavy subject matter like they are here (religion and the afterlife, among the most prominent), the manifestation of whatever they "demons" they are "fighting" is becoming much more real and alive.
We can never hear any of their albums the same way again. I think this is a good thing. I think you may have been a little harsh in giving it only 3.5/5, but I won't say that this is the "OK Computer" we may have been hoping for.
My rating: 4/5.
Almost forget: I don't thing that even if I keep listen this for the 50th time I'd change my mind about it. 20 plus spins and I think I can say what I think about the record. It's good, but it's far from great.
Although I have not hear "Daisy" yet (there's a bet running, long story), I think that what is going on over at AP.net is just ridiculous. The kids on those forums don't know you, and have no right to put you down as a peson. They may disagree with your reviews, or your writing, but in no way is the word "fucktard" next to "Scott Heisel" in the thesaurus. I checked.
Everytime someone listens to a CD, they should get more and more out of it. Otherwise, they're not listening to the music. Brand New is an awesome band. No matter what they make, people are going to have an opinion on it, and we're all entitled to that. If people don't agree with you, they should just accept that and be done.
Haven't heard it yet, but checking it out now! (Good blog too, that kids got some learning to do!)
I hate to be the evil one here but In my experience the album totally changed the more i listened to it, as was the same for TDGARIM. First few times you listen to the album its a bit abstract and out there but as i listened to it more and more i began to notice how truly awesome this album is,
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