Déjà Entendu

Deja Entendu
Studio album by Brand New
Released June 17, 2003
Recorded February 2003 at Reflection Sound Studios, Charlotte, NC
Genre Emo,[1] alternative rock, indie rock,[2] post-hardcore
Length 48:47
Label Triple Crown, Razor & Tie
Producer Steven Haigler, except "Play Crack the Sky," produced by Mike Sapone
Brand New chronology

Brand New/Safety in Numbers Split EP
(2002)		 Deja Entendu
(2003)		 The Holiday EP
(2003)
Singles from Deja Entendu
  1. "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows"
    Released: October 6, 2003
  2. "Sic Transit Gloria... Glory Fades"
    Released: February 2, 2004

Deja Entendu is the second album from Long Island based rock band Brand New, released in 2003. It was widely praised for showing the band's maturation from Your Favorite Weapon. The album's title is French for "already heard" and is a commentary on modern rock. Two singles/videos were released from the album: "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows" and "Sic Transit Gloria...Glory Fades."[3]

There are two pressings of the vinyl. The first pressing is of 1,000, and has a barcode on the back of the gatefold. The second pressing does not have a barcode.[4] On March 2nd, 2015, the band stated that they were going to repress the record twice. The first on Record Store Day (April 18) and the second on May 5th. Both will be pressed on 180-gram black vinyl. [5]

Background

Brand New's second studio album was written in "the year and-a-half or two years" that they were touring the material from Your Favorite Weapon. According to drummer Brian Lane, "Jesse [Lacey] wrote a lot of the lyrics about different things than 'I just broke up with my girlfriend' for the new record."[6] Lacey wrote the songs on an acoustic guitar in his bedroom.[7]

Several of the song titles reference films. The first track entitled "Tautou" references the lead actress, Audrey Tautou, in the movie Amélie. "Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't" is a line from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and the song "Sic Transit Gloria...Glory Fades" is a line from Wes Anderson's film Rushmore.[8] In addition, the line "And I've seen what happens to the wicked and proud when they decide to try to take on the throne for the crown" (from 'Jaws Theme Swimming') is a reference to a line from the 1999 film Dogma, specifically referencing a line of Matt Damon's character Loki.

The song "Play Crack the Sky" was about the 1951 shipwreck of the FV Pelican at Montauk Point, New York where 45 people lost their lives within a mile of the light house.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AbsolutePunk 99%[9]
Allmusic link
Drowned In Sound (8/10) link
Entertainment Weekly B 8 Aug 2003, p.74
IGN (9.7/10.0) link
Pitchfork Media (6.9/10.0) link
PopMatters (Favorable) link
Spin Aug 2003, p. 119
Sputnikmusic link link link

The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on May 29, 2007, nearly four years after its original release. It is Brand New's only release to date that has been certified.[10][11]

Deja Entendu received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised the band's evolution from their debut album. AllMusic gave Deja Entendu four out of five stars, stating that:

As of 2003, Brand New had sidestepped any notion that they'd be stuck in the prototypical mold found on Your Favorite Weapon. Unlike their debut, Deja Entendu isn't all about bitter breakups and doesn't fall into a permanent punk-pop hole. Produced by Steven Haigler (Pixies, Quicksand), this sophomore effort finds Brand New maturing, reaching for textures and song structures instead of clichés.[2]

IGN rated the album 9.7/10, calling it "probably the best underground release this year."[12]

Track listing

All lyrics written by Jesse Lacey, all music composed by Jesse Lacey, except where noted.

No. Title Length
1. "Tautou"   1:42
2. "Sic Transit Gloria...Glory Fades" (Vincent Accardi, Jesse Lacey) 3:06
3. "I Will Play My Game Beneath the Spin Light"   3:57
4. "Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't"   5:35
5. "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows" (Accardi, Lacey) 4:01
6. "The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot"   4:39
7. "Jaws Theme Swimming" (Accardi, Lacey) 4:34
8. "Me vs. Maradona vs. Elvis" (Accardi, Lacey) 5:19
9. "Guernica" (Accardi, Lacey) 3:23
10. "Good to Know That If I Ever Need Attention All I Have to Do Is Die"   7:00
11. "Play Crack the Sky"   5:27
Total length:
 48:47

Chart performance

Album

Year Chart Peak position
2003 The Billboard 200 63 [13]
2004 UK Albums Chart 105 [14]

Singles

Year Single Chart Peak position
2003 "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows" Modern Rock Tracks 37 [15]
2004 "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows" UK Singles Chart 39 [14]

Personnel

References