Brand New
The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me


5.0
classic

Review

by Channing Freeman STAFF
August 31st, 2011 | 21873 replies


Release Date: 2006 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Settle, baby.

I barely hear it anymore.

No matter how much time passes between listens, The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me rarely sounds new or fresh. I can't remember what it used to mean to me and I don't know what it means to me now. I don't scream along to it like I did a few years ago after my friend was killed in a car accident and I don't listen to it nightly like I did when I sorted mail in a plant from midnight to eight in the morning, the music drowning out the clanking of the machinery and the droning of the forklifts. Press the button, the reservoir tips, the mail falls out. The band plays, Jesse sings, the album ends. Press the button again. Press play again.

Now when I listen to this, I find myself simply waiting for the moment when everything becomes clear. The moment that takes me back to the connection with this music that used to be so important to me. I just already know everything that's going to happen. The words and riffs are ingrained in my head so deeply that they'll never be removed. But that moment – the one that takes me back – always comes, and never at the same time. Sometimes it's the opening of “Luca”, sometimes it's the bridge of “Not The Sun”, sometimes it's the second verse of “You Won't Know”. The specific moment isn't as important as the fact that the moment has happened. In that moment I feel all the emotions that this album has ever made me feel, all at once and very briefly. Without fail, it's just what I need.

There is such monotony in my life. Every day is the same. I go through the motions and I wait and wait for something different and I wonder if nothing happens because I don't make it happen. There is nothing hard about my life and nothing to complain about except my own discontentment. I feel like I'd know what I want if I could only see it but in reality I would probably keep walking without a second glance. It's why this record still occupies a place deep inside of me. It can grab me and shake me and wake me up for a microscopic second and bid me to take a good look at my surroundings and make something happen. Maybe one day I will.

That's more than any other album has done for me. Emotional connections are generally just there; they are not seen as facts to be inspected but as experiences that make you feel things automatically. There are hundreds of albums to which I am connected in unique ways but this is the only one that asks me big questions, expects big answers, and does not hold it against me when I come up with the same old pile of bullshit that I always do. As I said, I can't remember what it used to mean to me. But I know it sure as hell didn't mean this much.



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user ratings (6468)
4.4
superb
other reviews of this album
1 of
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    The devil's stopped winning....

    Observer EMERITUS (5)
    I killed him too...

    Sowing STAFF (5)
    Breathtaking, magnificent, and compelling. Brand New’s crowning achievement as one of t...

    Winesburgohio STAFF (2.5)
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  • EddieMarais (5)
    The night's hard to get through....

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    North0House2 (5)
    I often think of you. Yet, rare is a night in these times where I let your sound be heard....

  • ciaranmc (5)
    Brand New realise the potential they've been threatening us with for years....

    soleiletlune (4)
    Spiked with some unusual guitar effects, vocal lines, and unexpected turns, The Devil And ...

    musicandwords (5)
    Completely dazzling, fulfilling and layered album that was well worth the wait....

    Stormy Smiley Face (4.5)
    Brand New pushes the envelope to the best of their ability in order to create a more sophi...

  • IndieOut (4.5)
    Brand New's Magnum Opus...

    bedwettingcosmonaut (5)
    The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me is surprising to say the least. I knew these guys h...

    IAMSOEPIC (4.5)
    Dark and dense, yet accessible, a shadowy air permeating every crevice where Jesse Lacey's...

    bobafe6604 (4)
    Brand New returns after 3 years of silence with an album that is truly stunning....

  • DhA (4.5)
    A breathtaking album by a band who have developed in leaps and bounds, held back only by t...

    Tdunn99 (5)
    No words can describe the scope, significance and personal meaning of this album, even thi...

    Rembrandt (3.5)
    The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me is an astounding achievement and will continue to b...

    Quadrochosis (5)
    I can never lose it....

  • kevin234 (5)
    This is hitting rock bottom....

    Mall (3.5)
    Sure as hell paid for that mistake...

    barcafan21 (5)
    Brand New shows everyone that they are here to stay with their best effort yet....

    failingnovelist (5)
    Lacey wages war on his own soul and the thoughts that keep him awake at night....

  • TheWalkinDude (5)
    I used to pray like God was listening...

    MTObsidian (3.5)
    A random album never heard before turns into a brand new favorite....

    iSkane (5)
    ...

    zakalwe (2)
    Fail to be converted....

    IdiotequeCigar (5)
    Music for people with big, fluffy hearts....

    Understanding In a Crash (2.5)
    Well if your interested in the "Jesse Lacey" show you'll probably find yourself right at h...

    Wildcatforever (5)
    ...

    Christopher Y. (5)
    Jesus christ, what an album it is....

    KTLL (3)
    With the exception of a few songs, you will know a track's progression by its opening chor...

    bnththespinlite (5)
    Wonderful album, impressed, and worth the wait...

    MyLoveOfMusic96 (5)
    "So we fixed you with cement galoshes, so no one can save you now, unless you have friends...

    JackFr (5)
    You need to hear this album now. One of the most incredible pieces of art released in the ...

    yidnarc (3)
    This is a great album if you remove the pop punk element...

    crandynewman (2)
    it has sparks of potential to be a great album but the flame flickers out before the cd ge...



Comments:Add a Comment 
Trebor.
Emeritus
September 1st 2011


60061 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

It went up to a 4.5?

Sweet Jesus

FromDaHood
September 1st 2011


9111 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

What happened to your other review? The one that brought me (and others) to the site in the first place?

WashboardSuds
September 1st 2011


5101 Comments


I found out I really like this album

Irving
Emeritus
September 1st 2011


7496 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

i had it deleted



wut.

psykonaut
September 1st 2011


3913 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

what why how what

robertsona
Staff Reviewer
September 1st 2011


28200 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

chan let's run away together

Jozh
September 1st 2011


610 Comments


:o

theacademy
Emeritus
September 1st 2011


31865 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

oh my god the summary lol

theacademy
Emeritus
September 1st 2011


31865 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

(for the purists)

WeepingBanana
September 1st 2011


11395 Comments


i whole lotta love this review

kanecooper
September 1st 2011


630 Comments


i haven't listened to this in a couple of years and i simply do not want to

i'm not even sure whether i like or dislike this

there is just no desire

good memories of listening every day and night though

back when

and then



WashboardSuds
September 1st 2011


5101 Comments


I can really relate to this review

WashboardSuds
September 1st 2011


5101 Comments


not for this album, though

zxlkho
September 1st 2011


3493 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I really really liked the other review.

Sowing
Moderator
September 1st 2011


44593 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

There are hundreds of albums with which I am connected to in unique ways but this is the only one that asks me big questions, expects big answers, and does not hold it against me when I come up with the same old pile of bullshit that I always do.



This is exactly how I feel too.



I'm kind of sad to see the old review go because that was what got me into this site to begin with...but this is a pretty nice update. It kind of does justice to the album's timeless qualities (even if it skimps on describing the music, but we have so many reviews of this I doubt that's a problem). That last paragraph is gold.

theacademy
Emeritus
September 1st 2011


31865 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

yeah but that was a review of ab:life

Eko
September 1st 2011


2118 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I liked your old review but I like this one too I guess.

talkshows
September 1st 2011


43 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I like this review better, it's how I feel about this album. Great review.

Parallels
September 1st 2011


10166 Comments


its a brand new review, get it?

Sowing
Moderator
September 1st 2011


44593 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

ugh...lol



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