Sowing Season: The Story of Brand New

The most interesting thing about Brand New is how each album progressively gets darker and more experimental and abstract.

Degausser is literally one of the best songs as I have ever heard! I love it so much it hurts my head!

Their music saved my life on several occasions. Thx for making this mini documentary.

No idea how you could say that Sci-Fi is "utterly void of any semblance of brightness"? Science Fiction is absolutely full of hope and is the most positive of any Brand New record. I mean - Could Never Be Heaven is literally just a love song of devotion to his wife and family. They talk about "people they love" and the little love-song outro song after Out of Mana. He snuck in a little "I miss you" presumably to his wife. Lit Me Up, sure is dark, but with this gem: "I want to put my hands to work till the work's done/I want to open up my heart like the ocean" there is hope in the bleakness. There is drive, motivation. Follow that up with the self-deprecating can't get it out with the actual line "I got a positive message, sometimes I can't get it out" He's literally telling us to look for the hopeful moments in his songs. Waste can seem like a bummer but its a "get off your ass, pull yourself out of the crap, addiction and depression aren't the glory days, there is more, and you can emerge from this" Finishing it off with "you are not alone, you are not alone". This is a bright song. This song is hopeful. Okay Same Logic is more Devil and God/Daisy in terms of content. But 137/Desert. They aren't dark like older brand new. But more politically charged. No Control has the bright moment "Be for someone else/Love is in your actions" And the line "I hear your voice coming through the gray" I have no clue about 451 but it sure is a banger. And Batter Up is dark but it has hope. Thats the whole point of the song. "And even though the roar died in your throat/The lines get blurred/Lose whoever you once were/Died and returned to the earth/Found ourselves back/In love" I think Science Fiction is what a hopeful brand new album sounds like. Its their farewell, but not all hope is lost. Its fantastic.

I know a lot of people who were put off of Brand New after the allegations and his apology, but they've all come back to the music despite their dislike of Jesse. It's very hard to stay away from. Especially if it was a big part of your teenage years. And honestly, a ton of iconic bands from the 60s and 70s (Led Zeppelin and the Stones are the biggest example) are surrounded in similar controversies and they still get radio play. No one ever brings up that David Bowie slept with underage girls. I've had people shame me for continuing to listen to Brand New, while they keep showing their support to David Bowie or other artists who have done very similar things. Which is fine, Bowie is one of the greatest artists ever. It's just the hypocrisy of it that bothers me.

To me, if the allegations were accurate, then I feel that if Jesse sticks by his family and doesn't mess around in the way he did or repeat that type of negative action, then he has the right to enjoy his life and be proud of the positives, like the music he made and his Children. His Wife seems nice etc. I believe in redemption and second chances. Someday you who would quickly condemn Jesse might wish for the same second chance, we're all flawed beings. Good luck people

This is great, you should cover Title Fight next. They're a pretty excellent band with interesting members and a good history.

I remember not caring for Daisy when it came out. It's one of my favorite albums of all time now.

I remember listening to Science Fiction the day that it dropped and being absolutely floored. It is by far my favorite album by them and I will always cherish it. I

Brand New is still one of my favorite bands. Jesse's behavior was known for a while amongst fans and although that kind of misconduct is never excusable, I am glad he faced his condemnation. He needed to. I agree that good music shouldn't be written off for the actions of one when the entire band was behind the genius. If they came back with another album I would buy it, as I did the others, and I would see them, like so many times before. My best show recollection was my 21st bday in my hometown of Houston and meeting them. For a superfan, it felt as though the stars had aligned.

They're gonna stay 18 forever.

Bro. Speaking some mega facts at the end. Absolutely nailed it. The subreddit is in a healthy place atm because of the exact sort of things you said. Everyone is on a very similar wavelength to what you describe. Cheers

His apology was acceptable. He is clearly self aware, narcissistic, and predatory based on his lyrics in quite a few songs. Not surprising to me at all when this came out. (Well, a little) I was a piece of shit who was able to relate to that music. I've changed. I believe others can too. I still love the music despite what happened 20 years ago. I also respect his immediate response and holding himself accountable. That is rare

Still my favorite band, has been since your favorite weapon.

Jesse is arguably one of the greatest lyricists on the planet. I’ll always back this band. In my opinion, Brand New is genius. Every single one of us has made mistakes in the past, especially at an age when you’re still maturing and developing yourself. There’s no need to nail him to the cross for the rest of his life. I hope Jesse and BN know just how appreciated they are. And Still.

Deja entendu 😭😭😭 means so much to me

Still the best band of all time

Brand New's music hot me through some really hard times. Honestly through a time when I was experiencing abuse and I was scared for my life sometimes. I didn't know about Jesse's actions, and it is disheartening and sad, but there's no way I can just remove the impact their music had on my life.

Jesse Lacey is the goat, always spoke right to us angry spiteful ones.

This made me cry a bunch. I love these guys so much.