They posted a photo of most of the variants and they all look great. There’s something about the copper that is really nice.
I’ve listened a couple times now - I’m a bit surprised that this is the record that brought a lot of people back in. Half the songs do feel reinvigorated and are really interesting/new musically, but the rest would have fit seamlessly into either of the last couple records (in a great way). Cant totally understand loving this and not finding anything to like on HI or TW. that said, glad it’s doing it for people regardless. Fantastic band.
Guess you could say, “feels like, man, that was ages ago… man, that was ages ago… man, that was ages ago…”
Feels weird being the outlier here but I did not love this album my first listen. Trades out a lot of that reckless/youthful energy which made me fall in love with them in the first place. I dunno. It does sound great and much more clean than their other recent work, and the confidence is there, but the songs themselves aren’t doing much for me. I keep waiting for the moment the sheen dies down and I recognize that something that makes it “classic TBS” but it’s not there.
This is understandable, but on the other hand, I personally haven’t viewed “youthful” as their defining characteristic in years. From at least New Again on, their vibe has been more so “people who were once reckless youth maturing and processing getting older.” And, I think this album leans into that and nails it very well.
this is pretty much how I felt thinking about it after that first listen. I'm thinking of their other like very big rock record Louder Now, of how much personality those songs had, and I just feel like this one seemed to be missing some of that edge. There was something a little bland about this on first listen. I've only listened once though! Might change my mind. I legitimately loved "The Stranger" and I think that had exactly what I was looking for in this new phase
(I personally easily prefer this to Louder Now, tbh. Though I only ever go back to “MakeDamnSure” these days.)
I see the U2/etc. influences and get the “adult contemporary/rock” comments, but to me this is very much still Taking Back Sunday and sounds like a long overdue and natural evolution to me. Do wish they implemented more dueling vocals on this record especially, but minor complaint; I legit love every song. Crazy how much “S’old” grew on me and now it might be my least favorite? But they achieved their “no skips” goal, IMO, and I can’t say that about ANY of the other albums. It’s wild how they’ve released an album I’m obsessed with at this time of my life — that’s hitting on such an emotional level — like they did 21 years ago when I was 18 and legitimately changed my life. I never expected this and gave up on them doing it again a long time ago. I’ve liked songs on every album, but it was never the same. Not sure if “Juice 2 Me” is about addiction, but it hits me there in regards to my issues/some other things in my life and it’s kinda fucking me up.
And I think that’s exactly why those records never did much for me. This one seems to lean into it more, which also explains why it’s giving me pause. I also enjoyed a few of the songs, but as a whole, I felt like I was waiting for that feeling of recognition instead of enjoying it as it was. Maybe I need to listen again.
I want to go on record as saying that when I call something "adult contemporary", I am a person who enjoys adult contemporary. Just making that clear.
“S’old”, “Keep Going,” and ending of “The Stranger” have some of that edge. Just listened on headphones, even better. Great production, appreciated the vocals even more and noticed more of John’s contributions.
One big reason this is a fantastic record for me - "Lightbringer" is it a standout song? Debatable. Does it constantly get stuck in my head and makes me want to come back for more? YES. And, it reminds me of modern day WYWTB. Thrilled with this record.
It is an absolutely wild experience to listen to TAYF and then immediately listen to 152. Love both records, but damn...it's hard to believe it's even the same band. And that's a very good thing. I'm happy they are what they are now.
To me this lineup (especially as of recently) is just an extremely stale version of the tbs i knew and loved. But it is what it is, im glad other people like it. I try to be open minded, but again with this record, i just dont see the appeal. Im just disappointed this is where theyre at.
Kinda ironic to compare an era where one band’s classic pair of singers reunited, to an era where another band’s classic pair of singers were separated.