Charger Arts & Entertainment

Taking Back Sunday's new album a success

Chelsey Littrell, Charger Staff

In March 2002 Taking Back Sunday’s debut album Tell All Your Friends was released into stores. The album sold over 2,300 copies in it’s first week after the band had barely done more than hit up the local Long Island touring circuit, and spent a few weeks as the opener on a multi-band packaging of theVictory Records tour. Soon Taking Back Sunday would be taking over the world one concert at a time.

“The Takeover Tour,” which began in spring 2003 sold out larger venues in places they had never been. Their show in Toronto was moved to the bigger Kool Hause venue and sold 2,300 tickets.

Before 2003 members of Taking Back Sunday were Adam Lazzara, lead vocals. John Nolan, guitar and vocals, Eddie Reyes, guitar, Mark O’Connell, drums, and Shaun Cooper, bass. They were invited to join the 2003 Warped Tour, started appearing on television shows, booked their first European run, played summer festivels, etc. Then came the bombshell, the sudden departure of Gguitarist/singer John Nolan and bassit Shaun Cooper. According to an article in the September issue of Revolver magazine, Taking Back Sunday’s singer Adam Lazzara had been in a long-term relationship with Nolan’s sister, Michelle. When the couple broke up in early 2003, Nolan quit, with Cooper quickly following the suit.

Fred Mascherino, a friend and member of one of the bands who opened some of the shows on their last tour was also a skilled guitarist and vocalist, he eagerly applied for the opening.Matt Rubano filled up the last vacant position and Taking Back Sunday was happy to announce that they would be replacing members and continuing on, subsiding rumors of a possible break-up.
After a few weeks of rehearsal the band played in the last three shows of the Warped Tour to let their fans know they were back at it. They began writing new songs and making up some missed shows.

During March and April the band recorded its newest album, Where You Want To Be which was released Jul. 27, 2004. Filled with their trademark dual vocals and guitar driven songs of love, hate, blame, greed and non-apologetic calling out, this album has already connected with their audience much in the same way as their debut. There subtle, yet significant shifts make Where You Want To Be a step forward from their first CD. Like the first CD, Where You Want To Be centers on songs such as “A Decade Under the Influence,” “Bonus Mosh Pt. II,” “Set Phasers to Stun,” and “I Am Fred Astaire.” Only the ballad “New American Classic” represents a clear departure from the familiar Taking Back Sunday sound.

Lyrically, the focus has grown from the somewhat simple romantic narratives of the first CD into songs that examine deeper emotions.