Brand New
“Daisy”
4 stars out of 5

With their fanbase scrutinizing their every move, Brand New’s records tend to be analyzed like crime scene evidence and then abruptly cast off by those yearning for a return to the band’s pop-punk days. “Daisy” sounds like the final nail in the coffin of those dreams. It’s a moody, dissonant collection of post-hardcore and emo genres that sounds as if it was conceived with Modest Mouse records on repeat.

“She tried to put a fire out; she used gasoline,” sings lead singer Jesse Lacey in “Gasoline,” in a half-sung, half-screamed howl that becomes very familiar on “Daisy.” Lacey has been one to wear his lyrical heart on his sleeve ever since he was writing send-offs to cheating girlfriends, and his angst certainly hasn’t worn thin after the better part of a decade.

Key Tracks: “Sink,” “At the Bottom,” “Gasoline”
-Chris Payne

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Monsters of Folk
“Monsters of Folk”
3 out of 5

First things first, please, please, do not read “folk” and run. I’m fairly sure this album is excellent enough for even the biggest haters of all things folk to warm up to the genre and, at the very least, nod along with.

Second things second, this is a supergroup to end all folk supergroups. Indie heartthrob Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes fame called up former producer Mike Mogis, who called on over My Morning Jacket’s singer, Jim James, who may or may not have suggested they give a ring to soloist and second half of She & Him, M. Ward to complete the quartet. At least, I like to think that’s how it happened that these four folk giants came together to become monsters. (In reality, they started playing together backstage at shows while performing in their respective bands)

Somehow when you combine all of their folky goodness, you get this album, the definition of accessible folk, previously thought to be an oxymoron of a genre. With vocals being done by everyone but Mogis and that pedal steel guitar working it’s way into the credits of the liner notes more than once, Monsters of Folk have crafted the folk album for the everyday non-folk fan.

Key Tracks: “Whole Lotta Losin,” “Say Please”
-Melissa Virzi