Taking Back Sunday 3.0

New, again?

For longtime Taking Back Sunday fans, the title of the act’s new album has multiple meanings. Near breakups and member departures are no longer news. After songwriter-guitarist John Nolan and bassist Shaun Cooper left the band in 2003, Fred Mascherino and Matt Rubano replaced them for two albums.

But in 2007, fan-favorite Mascherino said goodbye, with Matt Fazzi taking his place. For those counting, there have been eight people in this band since 2003. 

Now long-removed from their days as emo heroes, Taking Back Sunday’s newest attempt to reinvent themselves positions them as a band without an identity. “New Again” is the most mainstream rock record they’ve produced, but in today’s music industry, that doesn’t count for much. They’re no longer emo, but at least emo made them something.

To the band’s credit, “New Again” is its best effort musically. Furthering the sounds explored on its last record, “Louder Now,” this album features harder-hitting moments like the fantastic intro to “Lonely, Lonely” and “Carpathia,” maybe the best song the band has ever written.

Now seemingly given full control of the lyrics without Mascherino, the ever-controversial Adam Lazzara (the rumored problem that’s caused all member departures) pens better-than-expected lyrics about two dissolving relationships, one with Mascherino (“Capital M-E”) and one with ex-fiance Chauntelle Dupree of Eisley (“Everything Must Go”).

Whereas the first half of “New Again” features somewhat boring but still enjoyable tracks that point out the band’s worst flaws (namely Lazzara’s weaker lyrics and incessant desire to repeat words), the final five efforts are more complicated and emotionally charged than anything the band has done since its debut.

Taking Back Sunday are in a weird position. “New Again” is a good rock album that borders on great, but older fans will hate this album for what it is not. They’ve been around too long to gain a slew of new fans – and that’s too bad.