Album Reviews

- by Nate Hennon

Just like many of their contemporaries, Taking Back Sunday had to either quit or grow up. The early Aughts were perfect for spin kicks and guy-liner, but as time ticks on, one has to hang up their white studded belt and move their band forward.  Since the original lineup reunited in 2011, Taking Back Sunday has been able to do just that; mature, evolve, and other music critic cliches. However you choose to describe it, TBS has just gotten older and has continued to write songs that reflect their age.

Since I have not kept up with TBS much since their first two albums, I cannot say if their latest release, "Tidal Wave," is a continuum of where they were headed musically. However, as a person who listens to a lot of music, I can say that TBS put together a bunch of good songs.

Even though this band has defined a generation of Millenial punks, I don't think they are writing for this audience anymore. Most of the songs on "Tidal Wave" as a combination of Wilco and Bright Eyes mixed with old TBS flare. The songs are all melodic, but still full of heart and energy.

Speaking of Millenial punks. Apparently, there are some bars in New York, LA, and San Francisco that host throwback Emo/Pop-Punk nights. These nights have names like Taking Back Thursdays (Get it?) or just simply Emo Nite. I get the desire to relive some youth through music, but using an odd pun to represent nostalgia is lost on me. Moreover, these nights were not appreciated by TBS when I saw them over the summer. Maybe they didn't have their coffee yet either when they heard the pun. My wife can commiserate.

Track listing:

1. Death Wolf
2. Tidal Wave
3. You Can't Look Back
4. Fences
5. All Excess
6. I Felt It Too
7. Call Come Running
8. Holy Water
9. In The Middle Of It All
10. We Don't Go In There
11. Homecoming
12. I'll Find A Way To Make It What You Want