Taking Back Sunday – 152 • Page 2

You really think this record is better than WYWTB (2004) and Louder Now?



This could be their best record since Louder Now; i need more time with it.

 

Yes.

 

they've had same line up since 2010 minus one dood, eddie left after tidal wave and before twenty.

 

Alright? I know that... Maybe I didn't word it right or misunderstood something before. If somebody wonders how do their older songs sound so different, I mean, there's a small chance it might be because they were written by/with other people. Is it not correct? And the original post mentioned TAYF-WYWTB-LN, but still - exactly as you're saying - they even had that one member change before this very album.

 

I’m glad someone else picked up the fight. I’m too old. Im still thrilled people like this album. However, seeing someone say it’s better than WYWTB AND Louder Now makes me question my ears.

 

I started to formulate an opinion to this, then decided i needed to listen to WYWTB and Louder Now before commenting, now I am deep into the discography and have decided it all rocks.

 

I'm feeling the same way. This one isn't grabbing me at all, and then I come on here and see people calling it their best ever and I feel like I'm just missing something or going crazy.

 

I am one who thinks, strongly, that the Fred era of TBS is the best era of TBS. Not only was Fred the strongest vocalist in the band, but by far and a way, the best guitarist (tied for best musician alongside Matt Rubano) ever found in the TBS rotation.

After struggling to understand how this album could be considered their potential best of all time, I went back and spun their entire discography front to back this past Saturday during a long drive. Here are my initial thoughts:

TAYF (4/8) - I have never thought this record held up well, and my thoughts were confirmed. Tough to get through in 2023; however, the magic this record created back in the day cannot be debated.

WYWTB (1/8) - At 34 years of age, this record did not resonate with me like it used too (not overly surprised), but to me, this record is in another category in comparison to TAYF. This early era TBS firing on all cylinders. I still consider this their best effort, albeit, not necessarily my favorite to listen to in 2023.

LN (3/8) - Safe, polished continuation of the Fred era. Some real gems on this record (Error Operator, Makedamnsure, Liar). I believe underrated at the time, and a much easier listen in 2023.

New Again (7/8) - Aside from Swing, I just do not enjoy this record.

ST (6/8) - Enjoyable. At this point, this falls behind WYWTB, LN & TAYF, but miles ahead of New Again.

Happiness Is (5/8) - I really, really enjoy this record. Flicker Fade, All The Way, It Takes More, Better Homes & Gardens, even Stood A Chance, are just great songs.

Tidal Wave (8/8) - This was the record in which made me no longer interested in anything TBS did. Felt like Adam sounded awful on this record, and its just a unfocused, lost record. Least favorite of theirs.

152 (2/8) - in 2023, at the age of 34, this is the easiest record for me to get through. On every spin, I enjoy this more and more. In its entirety, it is my favorite record since the return of their original lineup. I probably enjoy listening to this more than WYWTB, however, given the time and place of when WYWTB was released (vividly recall ripping Decade Under the Influence on Warped Tour compilation prior to the record release), I still consider WYWTB their best effort....... 152 might be their 2nd for me.

 

I'm glad I'm not the only psychopath that listens to entire discographies straight through I'm with you on Fred being the best part of the band & not really caring for this album on first listen, this gives me hope that this album will grow on me, thank you!

 

Give the record some time. It took me 8 listens or so to truly realize how good this record is. I could not stand S'old, and now I somehow love it? This record is probably the best definition of a "grower".

 

TAYF and WYWTB are different but equally amazing. Depending on my mood I’d prefer one over the other. So they tie for the top spot.

1) TAYF / WYWTB
3) Happiness Is
4) Louder (I return to happiness is more nowadays but it’s a toss up)
5) Self titled
.
.
.
.
6) 152
7) New Again simply because of Everything Must Go.
8) Tidal Wave

 

Just throwing this out there because I dont know if this is a common feeling with other people other than myself and one of my good friends.... Is the demo for Error Operator better than the album version? I remember when the demo dropped before the album and it blew me away. Then the album version came out and it just lost a lot of the energy. I cant think of any other demo that I feel this way about. Not sure if you can easily find the demo these days. I think Im just rambling at this point.

 

If I recall correctly the album version and the fantastic four soundtrack version are different. You can find the soundtrack version on YouTube and I’m sure elsewhere.

 

Didnt know that! I know for sure the version Im talking about was released as a demo prior to the album dropping (not sure if was a leak or intentional) but Ill check out the FF version!

 

Swap Louder Now and 152 and I’m exactly this. I also don’t rule out 152 could get there because there are no duds. Louder Now’s back half drags a LITTLE compared to the start, but this is back half loaded.

The Fred era was the best.

 

This surprised the hell out of me - loved this and the production ruled