Review Summary: It's a review, what more do you want from me? It's late.
Overrated. Emo. Trash. Unoriginal. Angst ridden.
These are the phrases many people have used to describe this album, and I'm going to have to disagree, while Brand New isn't the most original band, they know how to write albums and they damn sure know how to write a good song. So why Is it that this album seems to get almost as much hate as it gets its praise.
Deja Entendu is an Emo album. It's got the typical affair of "relationship issues and break ups" It's miles more mature than YFW, see it's all about context as it never seems as though Jesse is whining about his girl troubles this time around but cursing himself for being so careless, or bragging about how uncaring he was. Jesse can be quite cynical and dark.
Lyrically Deja Entendu is really good.
So what about the music? Tautou opens the album, with a softly strummed mellow approach, slow building drums and some nice bass notes. Jesse singing "I'm sinking like a stone in the sea, I'm burning like a bridge for your body" The album starts on a damn good note. Then perfectly transitions into "Sic Transit Gloria...Glory Fades" With it's driving bass groove and screamed gang vocals 'Die Young and Save Yourself" a song about being forced into sex but not being emotionally ready for such a thing.
Deja Entendu was Brand New's move away from Pop Punk to more emotional esque song structures and lyrics, and It's no more prevalent than on the song "Guernica" the best song on the album both lyrically and structurally, with Jesse just screaming at the top of his lungs near the end of the song "GOODBYE, I'M NOT LETTING YOU CHECK OUT, YOU WILL BEAT THIS STARTING NOW, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE AROUND!" it's my personal favorite moment on the album. But then *** hits the fan when we get to the reference to Home Alone "Okay Believe You But My Tommy Gun Doesn't"In this song Lacey is bitter and pissed. More so than in your favorite weapon. He feels cheated, wronged, and he will let you know it. He doesn't care if he comes off both sounding wounded and cocky at the same time, with an emotional turmoil and confusion that builds and builds. Coming close to being one of the best songs on the album.
Brand New really outdid themselves with Deja Entendu and no one thought they would be able to top that, but they did.
