CD Review: Taking Back Sunday "Louder Now"

Taking Back Sunday has always been the little Long Island emo band that could. It has risen from a word-of-mouth debut album to a group that will move about 200K copies of its latest, Louder Now, the first week out. The band’s debut, the rough-around-the-edges Tell All Your Friends was released back in 2002 --well before boys in tight pants could be seen batting their eye-liner eyes on MTV. It had two stunners “Cute Without the 'E'” and “You’re So Last Summer” and paved the path for the much-improved sophomore effort Where You Want To Be which was a slice of depressed, suburban Americana teen life if there ever was one.

Now back with its third album, and first on a major label, most are wondering if Taking Back Sunday has abandoned its roots by adopting a more mellow pop sound which would make it easier for it to grace the Teen Beat cover. Well, the answer is it hasn’t, but Sunday may have actually stuck a little too close to home.

From the opening notes on Louder Now, there is no doubt Taking Back Sunday have made every effort to be just that. The first cut, “What’s It Feel Like To Be A Ghost?” steals what sounds like a riff borrowed from the last Chili Peppers record and beats it into submission, providing the record with its most viscous punch and most rewarding song.

However, just like lead singer Adam Lazzara sings on “Divine Intervention,” “Yeah, we’re stubborn and melodramatic…See I know a few of your favorite things,” the band has made little to no effort to branch out from what we’ve heard before. There’s never been any doubt that Lazzara and company can craft a great lyric. Louder Now is abound with depressing tales of love and loss that put other bands in this stagnant genre to shame.

There are times when one thinks Taking Back Sunday have the ability to be the best band on earth, like on the lovely “Miami,” which is edgy, funky, dark and beautiful through its entirety, but then the moment is ruined when the next track hits and Sunday‘s carefully polished sound becomes nothing more than self-parody.

And although the lyrics and musicianship are strong, one is left pondering the question: Now on their third album, can these guys still be complaining about girls? In essence, although this album is well-made and well-executed, ultimately you’ll be left wanting more. There’s no doubt Taking Back Sunday have the chops to put the complete product together -- if only they could turn Louder Now into Better Now.

The Verdict: ** 1/2 (out of four)