Pace the stairs, like its where you want to be...
July 27th 2004 finally it came. Jesus its been long. The long awaited release from the most controvertial and in the melodic hardcore scene, taking back Sunday released its sophmore album. This will be my first review of a cd, and rightly so it should be for one of my favorite bands ever. First of all before I start I must clear up some things with the band. Taking back Sunday came out of new york in 2002 and signed to victory records. The members were vocalist adam lazzara, singer/songwriter/guitarist john Nolan, bassist shaun cooper, guitarist eddie reyes, and drummer mark o Connell. In march of 2002 taking back Sunday released their debut album “Tell all your friends”. With a mixture of hyper emotional lyrics and blaring guitars the cd quickly went on to sell thousands of copys, ultimately becoming the best selling band on victory ever. They became superstars in the underground. Even with their success the band was slowly deteriorating. many message boards have different theorys but this is the final true one. John noland’s sister Michelle dated frontman Adam in 2002. As their relationship started to sour so did the relationship between john and adam. Finally fed up with business and the way things were run in the band john left taking back Sunday. Following with him was bassist shaun cooper who claimed taking back Sunday was a “sinking ship”. Now with a the co-songwriter and bassist gone Adam and the remaining bandmates were in serious disarray. Wanting to push on adam made a call to an old friend from a band taking back Sunday repeatedly toured with, Fred Mascherino, My hero, of Breaking Pangea. Adam invited Fred to a jam with the remaining members of taking back Sunday. Fred fit in so well that in the one day that they came together they busted out a song that would be on the next album “Bonus Mosh Pt.2”. the rest of the band immediately recruited him. Now all they needed was a bassist. Mark called up an old friend named Matt rubano, who was currently being a session bassist. It took a few more jams to get to know him but they decided he was the best for the job. Now with a new lineup Taking Back Sunday V-2.0 set out to do a set of tour dates to break in the new lineup. After a few tours they went into the studio and what came out was their new album “Where you want to be”. Heres what I think of it with a song by song review and a cumulative one at the end.
SET PHASERS TO STUN: A perfect way to start the new album. Featureing fred’s trademark chord stabs and neurotic chants the song starts out with the phrase “im sorry it took me so long (to come around)” perfectly displaying the fact that they have been out of the game for so long. Followed up by a super catchy chorus that gives the title to the album “so trace the stairs to your apartment, like its where you want to be”. And of course finishing off with utter chaos and silence.
BONUS MOSH PT. II: The first song the new taking back Sunday lineup made in the faithful first jam that introduced Fred to the band. With an interesting groove that to me REEKS of an old taking back Sunday tune “You’re so last summer”. The palm muted intro to the vocal catch game chorus it reminds me of the old tune so much. A virtual roller coaster of feelings that show cases slow acoustic breakdowns and stinging verses “I wanted you for nothing more than hating you for what you were, if that’s what you wanted to hear”. And finishes off in a turrets inspired moment of random noise.
A DECADE UNDER THE INFLUENCE: The first single off the new album. It contains a clean riff that constantly shifts from nice and shimmery to a full blast of distorted fury. With Adam’s autobiographical lyrics about people changing followed by Fred’s chants of “I’ve got a bad feeling about this”. The song follows through the troubles of having john in the band and how adam regrets being naïve. And the ong finishes brilliantly with fred repeating “I’ve got a bad feeling about this” until he is literally screaming it. truly meant to be witnessed live. Perrrrfection.
THIS PHOTOGRAPH IS PROOF (I KNOW YOU KNOW): their single for the spiderman 2 soundtrack. Explores adam’s vocal range as he trys (and sometimes unsuccessfully) to hit high notes. What really makes the song is the harmony that is by fred and adam during the chorus. Perfectly showing the songwriting capabilitys of fred in full colors. Adam perfectly writes about suffering a loss and feeling bad for the other party. A feeling that I, among others surely feel.
THE UNION: the first direct refrence to John Nolan leaving Taking back Sunday, the union is filled with resentment. Adam sings of the fact that everyone is making a big deal about the breakup, yet he did nothing to provoke. “I never made a scene, they came to me”. In John’s publicly present thoughts about adam’s arrogance and difficulty to work with, adam tried not to make “a scene”. Very well written.
NEW AMERICAN CLASSIC: the biggest breakout song on the whole album shows the softest side of taking back Sunday. It’s the first song to feature an acoustic and a full string section. Beautifully written about someone leaving you and you don’t know what to do about it, adam sings beautifull over freds crooning. This is also one of the songs that showcases fred’s ability to lay a well fitting solo in. obviously one of the most underated guitar players in punk rock.
I AM FRED ASTAIRE: Posibly another song about straylight run (John Nolan’s new band). “you should have never bothered at all” and “scream older and wiser still, filled with resentment, we get it, I haven’t been this happy since”. Making it seem like adam is fully happy with john’s leaving. Making it seem like its ok with him. Also showing that they are now more mature that before.
ONE-EIGHTY BY SUMMER: Once again another song that seems to be about john. “you need me like a bad habit”. Refrencing that he doesent care about him. And that john seems to be unhappy now that he has left, and wont get off adam’s case. And that adam seems to want to reconcile with shaun and john “I need you defenseless and alone”. Obviously showing a more mature side to adam that wasent seen before as he picked on people without warning in song.
NUMBER FIVE WITH A BULLET: a song about looking back and thinking “we’re gonna die miserable and old” showing that you should live life to the fullest. Possible reference to past members that if they never bury the hatchet they will be unhappy their whole lives. And theirs no doubt that adam is asking john to “give me a chance”. And “when we get home, we’re through” signifying that this can be solved, and its not like losing a leg
LITTLE DEVOTIONAL: a cute little song that takes a departure from adam’s normal writing style. Almost like he is taking another personality. With one of my favorite quotes “Well gentlement they don’t ask questions, just keep quiet”. Saying don’t question what you think with women, obviously said with reluctance. Among the lyrics the song conatains an almost 80’s hair metal vibe in some of the areas with the harmonized lead lines by fred and guitarist eddie reyes.
...SLOWDANCE ON THE INSIDE: I dare you to listen to this song and not come back telling me that you have not stopped listening to it since you heard it. This is in my opinion the best ballad I have ever heard. I can say things like “oh, such and such is the coolest riff ever” or “ this is such a rocking song, it’s the best metal song ever!”, but this time I genuinely mean it. I have never heard such a song that would induce me to feel title of it. the title of it is “slowdance on the inside”. While listening to it I want you to do something for me. Get headphones and sit in your bed at about 12 or 1 at night. Turn off all the lights in your room and sit on your bed staring into darkness. Play the song. Not just once, but a few times, or as many as you want. While listening, think about the person your romantically involved with. It doesent even nessicarily have to be a girlfriend/boyfriend or even a lover. It can be someone you want to be with. Someone you wish you are with. And while listening to this just think about them and you. You will be crying by the second time you play the song. I guearentee it. it is that powerful a song. Like the title says you will literally slowdance on the inside. You will feel yourself almost swaying side to side, holding whoever you love. You can feel this euphoria as if you were really there looking into your lovers eyes and not being able to say anything. Just staring at each others beauty, like time is moving only for you two. Adam and fred, thank you very much, you have created the best ballad ever.
FINAL THOUGHTS: when I first got the album the first thing I noticed about it was the airy teenage feeling was not really present as it was in the first album. What this tells me is that Taking back Sunday is more mature. Its not all about writing about girls all the time. People have feelings other than that. Taking back Sunday lost two of their core members and they pushed on, now stronger than ever. I am under the impression of taking back Sunday being a band that you need to listen to the songs a few times over to appreciated them. If you obtain the album and don’t think you like it, pop it in again. Play the songs over a few times. You will soon love them and know all the parts by heart. The songwriting is better than ever and you will love this entire album like you loved the first one. Besides if there was anyone that could fill john’s shoes it was fred masherino. So the question now remains, who is better…
Taking Back Sunday?
Or Taking Back Sunday Version 2.0
I want your thoughts. Hopefully my review will help.