Track Review: Brand New - Limousine

      Yo yo yo. As sort of a refresher from the usual and weekly album reviews I've provided, this week a track review will be presented to you. Coming to ya loud and proud, the track I'll be review is Brand New's Limousine.

Brand New's debut, Your Favorite Weapon

      Now, before I begin the review, I would like to provide a little history. Brand New is an alternative rock band that was formed in 2000 by frontman Jesse Lacey, bassist Garrett Tierney, and drummer Brian Lane. This band has an interesting history, however. Beginning as an angsty pop-punk band with their debut record, Your Favorite Weapon, their sound quickly evolved and matured. Just two years after their first record debuted, Brand New released their second record, Deja Entendu.
      Deja Entendu brought on an extremely different sound, while still maintaining a somewhat punk sound. They took on a more emo approach with their music, addressing confessional lyrics and instrumentals. To see just exactly how their sound evolved, try listening to this track off of Your Favorite Weapon, and then this track off of Deja Entendu.
      FAST FORWARD THREE YEARS... and we Brand New released perhaps their most popular record to date, The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me. This record presented an even more matured sound in comparison to the two previous records. Addressing darker, more personal themes in the lyrics, this album was a total curve ball to the fans. However, as stated before, it is perhaps their most renowned album thus far. Many consider it an alternative classic, providing haunting instrumentals and vocals paired with dark themes. 

Frontman, Jesse Lacey.

      Limousine is the 5th track on the record, running approximately 8 minutes long. I chose this track for many reasons, but the main reason is the back story behind it. So, strap in, because this is truly an emotional rollercoaster.
      The song was written in response to a tragedy that occurred on July 2nd, 2005 at Long Island, coincidentally the same city Brand New originated in. On this day, a wedding occurred, and was a day filled with celebration and rejoice. After everything was said and done however, a few of the family members headed home in a limousine. Then, tradegy strikes in the form of a drunk driver. On the way home, the limousine was struck head-on by a drunk driver. The driver's blood alcohol level was three times higher than the legal limit, according the this article detailing the event. The story only gets more horrific.
      The driver was killed on impact, and the family was extremely injured. They quickly realized that the two flower girls, five-year-old Grace and seven-year-old Katie, were trapped inside of the wreckage. As Katie's mother was searching for her in the twisted metal of what the limousine had become, she made a horrific discovery; Katie was decapitated by her seatbelt. Katie's mother left the wreckage with her severed head in hand, too numb to properly react. This event was truly a tragedy, and it is nearly sickening. The drunk driver was charged with second-degree murder.
      
      The track begins with barebone vocals and an acoustic guitar. The lyrics address the event of the wedding and accident.

The Devil and God are
Raging Inside Me

"K, it's your ride. 

Get your petals out and lay them in the aisle. Pretend your garden grows and it's your day to wed.

We found you man. He's drinking up, he's all-american.

And he'll drive.

He's volunteered with grace to end your life."

      
      The name "K" is in reference to Katie. The verse continues, as harmonization with vocals and instrumentals become more complex. Then, after a few more lines, the song bursts with a guitar's screech into a louder verse, the drums joining along. The vocals become chaotic and passionate, the guitar doing just the same. Then, as the track progresses, the instrumentals become quieter and vocals more longing. Then Jesse begins with the lyrics, "Well, I love you so much, but do me a favor baby don't reply, cuz I can dish it out, but I can't take it."
      These lyrics continue with repetition as the intensity of the track builds and builds. The drums start hitting harder, and Jesse's vocals go up an octave. The guitars become more and more chaotic. The track seems to lose control of itself as it progresses. It continues, getting louder and louder, until the vocals cease and they're followed by screaming guitar and a leading drum track. Then, the track becomes quiet, and it fades.

       There is a lot to say about Limousine. The story behind it is hard hitting enough, but when you add that aspect to the passionate instrumentals and lyrics you only get hit harder and harder. It follows the perfect dynamic progression in my opinion. They keep you entertained and wanting more and more. Overall, this is a very hard hitting and emotional track, and I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to listen to either familiar music or perhaps unfamiliar music. Below is an online stream of the track. Feel free to listen and perhaps comment your opinion on the song or the story behind it.

                         Thanks for reading.