Taking Back Sunday - Taking Back Sunday

Amityville, New York's finest Taking Back Sunday are back at it again with their much anticipated, brand new self-titled album. The follow up to 2009's New Again finds the rockers reuniting with original members John Nolan and Shaun Cooper to rekindle their passion for creating music together that won them so many fans with their 2002 debut, "Tell All Your Friends" and made Taking Back Sunday one of the preeminent bands of this generation.

The album kicks off with a bang with my favorite song off the album, "El Paso" a loud, no holds barred track that hits at you immediately with lead singer Adam Lazzara's powerful vocals gnawing at your ears almost immediately upon impact coupled with a heavy barrage of guitars that makes this song one of Taking Back Sunday's best in their catalog yet. The disc's first single, "Faith (When I Let You Down) is a melodic, toned down affair that sees Adam's vocals taking it down a notch to show off the band's versatility that they've been known for on their past releases. "Sad Savior" is a somber, passionate tune that really tugs at your heartstrings with thought provoking guitar riffs brought to you courtesy of John Nolan, whose re-entry into the band has completely reinvigorated the band's work ethic and has made their music that much more stronger and cohesive in the process as well. "Who Are You Anyway?" is another fantastic track that sees the band pinpointing their resolve with a fury of amazing guitars and an intricate drum pattern courtesy of Mark O'Connell that shows the band have it down to a science when it comes to crafting songs together.

The disc' second half continues the melodic onslaught with "Money (Let It Go)", a thumping, frantic tune that is classic Taking Back Sunday with down and dirty guitar riffs enabling Adam's vocals to jump all over the place while still remaining within the realm of greatness. "It Doesn't Feel A Thing Like Falling" is an intense, linear track that continually digs in at your ears with a consistent guitar pattern and a strong melodic finish that will leave you feeling satisfied. We're closing it all out with "You Got Me" a heavy, gritty track that never lets up from the beginning with strong, melodic guitars and Adam's passionate vocal delivery making you feel the passion in his voice deep inside of you after first hearing it. "Call Me In The Morning" closes out the album perfectly with a deep, melodic undertone that permeates every crevice of the song with impeccable precision and deep input and insight from each member of the band contribute as to how this song should sound. Taking Back Sunday have had a quite a ride in the last few years with their lineup changes and ultimately the return of the original members to the group. But all this drama in the group has defined their character as a group and is a story of how a group returned to their roots to rediscover themselves not only as people, but as musicians as well.

In retrospect, an amazing and definite return to form of Taking Back Sunday, who have definitely returned to their roots to rediscover the rock n' roll dream and rekindle some old friendships in the process as well. Highly recommended!

                                                                                                                          Album Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. El Paso
2. Faith (When I Let You Down)
3. Best Places To Be A Mom
4. Sad Savior
5. Who Are You Anyway?
6. Money (Let It Go)
7. This Is All Now
8. It Doesn't Feel A Thing Like Falling
9. Since You're Gone
10. You Got Me
11. Call Me In The Morning