A Steady Decline [3.5 Stars]

If you've been listening to Taking Back Sunday since their first album hit the shelves back in 2002, then you most likely know that the band has been on a steady slope downwards for the last three years. This issue primarily has to do with John Nolan and Shaun Cooper's departure in 2003 to form Straylight Run. While their absence has never inhibited me from listening to the band, with "Louder Now", TBS's major label debut, it's apparent how the departure has continued to affect the music. "Tell All Your Friends" still remains one of the best emo/punk records ever written, and while "Where You Want To Be" was overall pretty good, the third time around it feels like Taking Back Sunday has started to run out of ideas. Now this could be to the new band chemistry or the continued absence of those previous members, but whatever reason it is it's terribly apparent that the band isn't exactly headed in the right direction.

A Little Disappointing, To Say the Least

I try to stray away from major labels, but with some of my favorite bands joining the mainstream ranks, it's hard to ditch them and find new music [i.e. Thursday, Thrice, Coheed & Cambria, Brand New, and Saves the Day [for one album]] So, knowing that Taking Back Sunday jumped to Warner, I figured I give them a shot.

EFFIN AMAZING!! WELL WORTH THE WAIT

LOUDER NOW is amazing. i dont care what anyone says. i have offically converted a whole bunch of rap lovin ppl to adore TBS. Its most def. more mature sounding then their previous albums, but in a good way.