Review Summary: I thought I was the only one who felt this way, then I discovered science fiction
Brand New, really is a band that needs no introduction, so instead I’ll start at the end rather than the beginning. Brand New was long thought to have been all but dead then they made a new song debut with “Sealed To Me” a minimalistic guitar driven ballad, it was theorized it would appear on the long awaited LP 5....
Out of nowhere “Mene” is released a fast paced loud punk flavored song in the vein of Your Favorite Weapon. Then more silence, one year passed and “I am a nightmare” was dropped out of nowhere, it was even more pop punk than Mene.
It appeared Brand New was returning to the roots of their first two albums, then Brand New puts out a press release, LP 5 had been delayed because the band was disappointed with the direction they were heading musically.
Nearly two years passed, next to no word from the band about LP 5. All their fans had all but given up, content with the acceptance that Brand New was done. Then once again out of nowhere in August of 2017, Brand New put up pre orders for an Unnamed Album, it was thought to be months away from completion.
A week at most later, LP 5 was at the door steps of a few lucky fans, and inevitably....LP 5, later revealed to be named Science Fiction was spread across the internet almost instantly.
So, was Science Fiction worth the wait? Hell Yes! Oh my god, yes......
That build up to an amazing guitar solo in 137. The melancholic tone of Could Never Be Heaven. The slow burner known as Lit Me Up. Audio clips taken from old tapes Jesse found awhile back, tying together a theme of mental health and lack of stability in your life.
Brand New, tells you throughout Science Fiction how tired they are of Brand New....
“Strumming with a heavy wrist...”
“I can’t fake it enough, I can’t sing it enough, so everyone will wait.”
“If it’s breaking your heart if nothing Is fun, don’t give up my son, this is the last one.”
Brand New came back stronger than ever, creating an album teetering on all involved just giving up before completion, but somehow they managed through and delivered what can be considered one of their best written albums, and one of the best offerings of 2017.
Brand New may be dead, but they’ll not be forgotten. Not anytime soon...
