It's been a long road since Taking Back Sunday released their unbeatable first album Tell All Your Friends in 2002. Though they are a far cry from the powerful line-up of musicians that they were back then, their brand spankin' new album appropriately titled "New Again" packs a nicely revamped punch. One thing that all Taking Back Sunday fans have secretly begged for since the Long Island emo scene started spitting out bands like such, was an album that sounded a little bit more like the beginning. This album is lacking key points that made Tell All Your Friends what it was, i.e. overlapping vocals, grungy back beats, and well, John Nolan. So if you are still saying your prayers for what you had in high-school, you won't be satisfied. But an addiction for Adam and the gang is a syndrome many suffer from. Get your ten bucks ready once again. The album opens with a title track that boasts heavy drums and gang vocals. The lyrics "I'm ready to be new again/ I'm ready to hear you say who I am is quite enough" give a to-the-point synapse of the "new" feel of this album. On to "Lonely, Lonely" the much harder and faster paced track. With a pump-up feel and collective claps this song begs to exhaust a live crowd. "Summer, Man" and "Swing," equipped with cheerful hooks add even more desirable intensity. The eighties feel of "Where My Mouth Is" gives a newfangled feel to an expected sound. Even the vocals sound a hint like New Wave revival. Unlike anything Taking Back Sunday has ever done, the slight piano and U2-esque guitar make this track repeatable and lovable. On this ten year road as a band, Taking Back Sunday's songs continue to mature. As their lineup changes and band members grow as musicians it becomes clear that they will always have what it takes to make a good record. It's likely that the masterpiece that was TBS's debut will never be repeated. But as the band makes their positive musical transition, who is to argue? New Again bears a great listen and a classic is preserved.
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