Taking Back Sunday

First off let me preface my review by stating that I would rate this album very highly based off how I compare them to other artists and comparable music.

Therefore I am going to give both my opinion based on not only how I view the music in a vacuum, but also more critically versus other songs on the album, as well as older tracks by Taking Back Sunday denoted by the second rating in overall. You also might notice that simply averaging the numbers won't give the overall score, because sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Therefore I will give both a raw and adjusted overall score.

I am going to start doing this for a different album every few days or so if I get positive feedback.

Also, when there is no noticeable bridge, I will simply use the score from the chorus.

1. What's it feel like to be a ghost: A lot of people say this is one of their favorite tracks on the album, and although very enjoyable I don't give it the same credit as others. The song has a good flow, and is very enjoyable to listen to, but I don't feel its one of the stronger songs.

Verses: 8 Bridge: 8 Chorus: 8.5
Lyrics/Voice: 7 Instruments: 9 Flow: 9

Overall: 49.5/60 (82.5%) | 9.5 - 7.5

2. Liar: One of the weaker tracks on the album. I do however love how the song flows from the verses to the bridge, and then finally the chorus. The bridge is my favorite part of the song, although the chorus is entertaining to listen to as well. The verses are the weakest part of the song, and the lyrics don't really pull me in. The instruments are just mediocre compared to other tracks as well.

Verses: 7 Bridge: 9 Chorus: 7.5
Lyrics/Voice: 6 Instruments: 7.5 Flow: 9

Overall: 46/60 (76%) | 8.5 - 6.5

MakeDamnSure: Definitely one of my favorite tracks on the album. Yes I do understand this is one of their more popular songs, and "Mainstream", but I can't help but fall in love with it every time I listen to it. The lyrics are powerful, the verses, bridge, and chorus all draw me in, and its perfectly brought together. I could go on about how much I enjoy this song, but I'll just rate it, and let you make up your own mind.

Verses: 10 Bridge: 10 Chorus: 10
Lyrics/Voice: 9.5 Instruments: 9.5 Flow: 10

Overall: 59/60 (98%) | 10 - 9.5

Up Against: Honestly I don't really care for his voice in this track during the verses. Chorus is decent, but nothing to write home about. Lyrics don't really make me think either. Song doesn't flow as well as I would have hoped. I do like how they went directly in to the chorus as opposed to building up for a change. Still doesn't draw me in though. One of the weakest tracks on the album in my opinion.

Verses: 6 Bridge: 7.5 Chorus: 7.5
Lyrics/Voice: 6 Instruments: 7 Flow: 7

Overall: 41/60 (68%) | 7.5 - 5.5

My Blue Heaven: One of my favorite songs on the album. His voice is spot on, and the lyrics are well done. The instruments accompany very well, it flows well, and helps make this a great overall track.

Verses: 9 Bridge: 9 Chorus: 9.5
Lyrics/Voice: 10 Instruments: 8.5 Flow: 8.5

Overall: 54.5/60 (91%) | 10 - 8.5

Twenty-Twenty Surgery: Another one of my favorites on the cd. Verses, Bridge, Chorus - all amazing. Surprisingly the chorus is my least favorite out of the 3, but the doesn't mean its not an absolute joy to listen to. Lyrics/Voice are great, instruments get me pumped up, and it flows very well. The only thing that brings down this song a little bit is the little change of pace near the end, but they quickly dive right back in to it.

Verses: 10 Bridge: 10 Chorus: 9
Lyrics/Voice: 9.5 Instruments: 9.5 Flow: 9.5

Overall: 57.5/60 (96%) | 10 - 9.25

Spin: Album keeps getting better with this gem. Although not in my top 3 its very close to being so. Verse -> Bridge -> Chorus once again is seamless. So much energy in this song. I don't know what else to say other than ++.

Verses: 8.5 Bridge: 9.5 Chorus: 9
Lyrics/Voice: 9 Instruments: 9 Flow: 9.5

Overall: 54.5/60 (91%) | 10 - 8

Divine Intervention: Meh, the second weakest track on the album. Lyrics are decent, but everything else is mediocre at best.

Verses: 5.5 Bridge: 6.5 Chorus: 6.5
Lyrics/Voice: 7 Instruments: 5.5 Flow: 7

Overall: 38/60 (63%) | 7 - 5

Miami: A step in the right direction from Divine Intervention, but not far enough away. Lyrics are great, and are sung with great emotion, but they are definitely the strong point of the track, and can only do so much.

Verses: 7 Bridge: 8 Chorus: 8
Lyrics/Voice: 9 Instruments: 7 Flow: 7

Overall: 46/60 (77%) | 8 - 6.5

Error: Operator: Lots of energy. Not much more :( Loses its direction about halfway through, and just sputters out. Worst song on the album as far as im concerned.

Verses: 6 Bridge: 7 Chorus: 7
Lyrics/Voice: 5 Instruments: 6 Flow: 4

Overall: 35/60 (58%) | 6.5 - 4.5

I'll Let You Live: I'm very glad this album ended on an extremely great note. All around satisfying song with no noticable flaws.

Verses: 9.5 Bridge: 10 Chorus: 8.5
Lyrics/Voice: 10 Instruments: 9.5 Flow: 9

Overall: 56.5/60 (94%) | 10 - 9

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Album Overall: 537.5/660 (81.5%) | 9 - 7

I am giving the album 5 stars, but would give 4 1/2 if I could. Alot more strong points than weak, and a very enjoyable listen. Hope you enjoyed the review.

Man , this stuff is really good, these are reeeeaaly good. They finally caught on to the variety factor in their melodies. Wonderful, Awesome. A great buy. Love the 1st 5 songs esp. number 5, My Blue Heaven. Oh yeah. Its right up there with Brand New & some of +44's stuff. Woo-Hoo!

This is another fun album from TBS. Fans of previous albums will not be disappointed with the pure emotion of 'Make Damn Sure' or 'Liar (It Takes Two).'

Isn't it great how one song & a music video (MakeDamnSure) will sell you records?, while the rest is merely filler...the sad part is I'm talking about TBS...which Is a band I use to call brilliant....

Obviously anyone who gave this album above 3 stars hasnt listened to their other two albums which put this to much shame...Ok, lemme guess, you like, the intro...you like the how the drums jump in...well I'm sorry to rain on your prada, but this is sorely lackly somesort of consistentcy, which feels right at first...it really does, I liked this album alot at first, becuase I loved the other two albums so much...but when a band starts to become a cliché of themselves than you know you need start from scratch again....

In a way...i could call them "sellouts", more money please!!...but this isnt punk rock...its not even emo...half the reviews on here claim this is "emo" music...they dont even know what emo is...go listen to The Get Up Kids if you want emotional rock...Why did they have to switch to Warner Brothers...omfg.....Victory Records was fine was it not?!?...cant blame them i guess...wanting more money...but when u dont produce quality music, thats when I get dissapointed.....

I dont even know what to say, theres nothing remotly catchy or exciting 'bout this album, ...ok,ok..Spin is well done, expect for the blah* chorus ...which is the problem with this album...worst choruses ever...

Really expecting more for their fourth album....a lot....more

I love Taking Back Sunday, and this album is just great. There aren't any tracks I skip on this record, but my favorite song is definitely My Blue Heaven. The opening track, What's it Feel Like to Be a Ghost and Make Damn Sure, as well as Miami, are also among my favorites. TBS are also great fun to watch live and in interviews, so check out their two DVDs that compliment this album, Louder Now Parts 1 and 2. I love this record, highly recommended!

OK, so maby I'm not really returning this album..another beer coaster couldn't hurt, right? I picked this album up after hearing "Set phasers to stun" and "a decade under the influence" on the radio, which I should have realized that is exactly what this band is: radio pop rock for teenage angst. The singles on this album keep me from giving it 1 star, but I still give two grudgingly. If you enjoy the emo/screamo or whatever this genre is, then you will probably like this album. Otherwise, don't bother.

this album is O.K. dont get me wrong, i know all the lyrics and jam with friends but nothing compares to the 1st album, 'tell all your friends'. NOTHING. and nothing ever will. not feeling the new members. john nolan and sean cooper obviously were the brains of tbs cause their (sort of) new band, STRAYLIGHT RUN, is one of my favorite bands. now the 3rd tbs album. TRAIN WRECK. adam lazzara... SELL OUT.

This band is definetely good at what they do. I enjoyed TAYF, but when I first heard this I realized that they took it to a whole new level...in a good way. Basically I was instantly blown away, and although I don't listen to it as much these days, there is no denying this is a great record....Slowdance on the Inside the final track is one of my all-time favorite songs. This album has a lot of variety it can be hard-rocking, emotional and fast. I don't think they can replicate this and so far they haven't with "Louder Now"

Taking Back Sunday-Where You Want To Be ****



Where You Want To Be is Taking Back Sundays best album. While I am not big on the whole emo trip that the rest of the world seems to be stuck on I will say that Taking Back Sunday is a truly great band. Their lyrics are great and they're performances are great. While musically Taking Back Sunday is nothing to qawk serperatly but together they are a great band.

'Set Phasers To Sun' is a great song to open the album. 'A Decade Under The Influence' and 'This Photograph Is Proof' both went on to become minor hits for the band and help the album to sell the amount of copies it did. 'The Union' is another great song with really good lyrics and some memorable guitar work. 'New American Classic' aside from having a really cool title is a really cool song. It is slow and acoustic. The song serves as a nice center peice or focal point on an album full of angst, emotions, and lots of screaming. The band saved the best for last, '...Slowdance On The Inside' closes the album. It is easily the best song the band ever recorded. It is also the perfect way to end the album. The song features some of the coolest and most creative lyrics ever written. Though very, very emo the song is really great for two dating teenagers. The rest of the songs on the album are all still good songs they just dont do anything to really stand out among the other before mentioned songs. That doesnt mean that they are any worse though.

Taking Back Sunday managed to make one of the most deppressing albums ever depending on you current love and relationship status. Where You Want To Be will go down in as one of the Emo genres best albums when the little fad fades away.

[Not a kid, can't remember my sign-in ;] ]


I first heard Taking Back Sunday 3 or 4 years ago as a kid on yahoo. I saw a link for lindsay lohan first video, and was curious so on I went to yahoo music. I was young, naive; and an avid Avril Lavigne fan and loved Blink 182. After a non descript and non memorable pop video, the film clips kept rolling randomly, whilst undetected, gradually exceeding my download limit. Then what I heard turned my world upside down. That day I heard "Cute without the 'E'", "You are So Last Summer", "A decade under the influence" and "The photograph is proof". Every day for six months I listened to those videos repeatedly, never getting sick of them, never getting bored, never satiating my appetite to hear them. Everyday for six months, until my dad got the internet bill. I had no way to listen to my favourite band, Taking Back Sunday.
Borrowing Where You Want to Be off a friend I was blown away. Having little expectations, or pre conceived ideas from "TAYF" (and 'emo' being non existent) I was just happy to hear it, and nothing could have prepared me for the music. The vocals weave in and out of each other, contrasting, and painting the picture for the confusion and conflict of the lyrics. The 2 different vocals are the clear stand out, and the bands signature; and its always hard to pick a favourite voice or choose the better lyrics being sung. The lyrics were written masterfully, with beautiful words, unexpected prose, enough careful repetition and original rhymes. The dramatic desperation, wistful regret and tongue-in-cheek irony are conveyed perfectly with a touch of vindictive viciousness. I fell in love with the beginning guitar riffs of each song, the breakdowns, and echoing vocals and those suggestive lyrics that are barely just breathed. Each song was fast moving and catchy, easy to sing along to, but better to fall asleep to. The poetic verses and defiant choruses with great hooks.
The first half of the CD is classic TBS, the first two songs are what you expect, but still love and are in the same vein as the two hit singles 'Decade Under the Influence' and 'The Photograph Is Proof'; 'the Union' is original and tends to sound chaotic on the first listen but the second listen you appreciate its violence more; its a stand out great song. 'New American Classic' follows, a sadly sweet acoustic song with a pretty melody; gentle guitar and soaring strings. After this is 'I Am Fred Astaire' a song title I adore for it uniqueness somewhat arrogance. The whole song takes that sort of edge, a bittersweet break-up song with an awesome beat and fun metaphors and anthem style chorus. It is similar to Brand News "Jude Law and a Semester Abroad" in subject matter and performance. (I'm not going to talk about the controversy between these bands) After this song, although it was an early favourite for me starts my preferred half of the CD the later songs. These ones seem to be more romantic than the early ones but in that same dramatic TBS way.
These four songs for me are Taking Back Sundays best, my favourites, their peak. Looking at the previous CD "TAYF" and the following latest CD "Louder Now" it's easy to see that "WYWTB" was the crossover or in the middle of the other two styles, and that they combine "TAYF"'s raw and emotional or now 'emo', romantic and amazingly lyrics with "Louder Now"'s intense guitar oriented rock, leaving a dramatic, bittersweet, violent and tongue-in-cheek punk rock that sounds-for want of a better word;pretty. 'One-eighty by summer' has a great intro and amazing catchy hooks and the vocals bounce of each other. This an awesome and just a bit arrogant punk rock anthem. I love the guitars and it has nice breakdown.
"Number 5 with a Bullet" follows and has a great building up intro into a cleverly written and thoughtful lyrics and a perfect chorus. The contrasting vocals almost seem like one of the arguments or fights that you can relate to (this can happen in a few songs). Another awesome breakdown. "Little Devotional" is an obvious yet clever song about sex that's suprisingly tender but still as catchy and dramatic as ever. Second best song on the CD. I adore its lyrics, and the vengeful and desperate end to this.
The final song on the album is "...Slowdance on the Inside".
This song is just.......perfection. You can tell from the beginning and soft strings intro its going to be amazing. Then the lyrics clearly hit you with 'Passed out in our school clothes.." Adams voice is really beautiful here, and throughout the songs entirety. The songs quite long(4.28;long in comparison on the CD), so it can take its time building up to the choruses. The instruments work in unison and the sound is awesome. The second chorus has the best lyrics, my all-time favourites. They're suggestive yet metaphorical and can be interpreted a few ways. Beautiful, powerful, dramatic it feels like a complete, whole song.
This album is a worthwhile investment, of music that is very easy to listen to whilst still being challenging. Maybe you won't love it as much as I do or as much as there other albums. For me, as great as "Louder Now" is, it was a bit of a disappointment for me, because I was hoping for another 'Number 5 with a Bullet' or a 'Slowdance on the Inside'.
However its good to see the band growing, and I'm looking forward to their next release. On this CD though, hardcore rock fans will like 'Set Phasers to the Sun' 'Bonus Mosh Pt. 2' and 'The Union'. You'll recognise 'Decade Under...' and 'This Photograph..' which are somewhat reminiscent of "TAYF" and if you like those you'll love 'I Am Fred Astaire'. Fans of emo or acoustic will adore 'New American Classic'.If you like a good rock anthem you'll enjoy '180 by Summer'. The best songs are '...Slowdance on the Inside' and 'Little Devotional' and 'Set Phasers..' and my personal favourite (aside from Slowdance) is 'Number 5 with a Bullet'. A worthwhile album that seems to epitomise Taking Back Sunday, defining them. There are no fillers on the album, and the popular singles will be overshadowed. Fans of "TAYF" don't dismiss this, I was lucky to hear this before exploring "TAYF" and falling in love with those songs.
If you love this album you'll enjoy 'Great Romances of the 20th Century' and 'Timberwolves at New Jersey' and 'Head Club'. If you're a fan of "WYWTB" you'll love the download only bonus track 'Brooklyn' from "LN" easily the best song (other than Blue Heaven) on the album.
This album was what won my heart, and on the strength of this album I will always be obsessed with this TBS. Its provided a soundtrack for my life, and across the globe. Classic Taking Back Sunday is "Where You Want To Be" and it is where you'll want to be, and where you'll want TBS to be.

Out of all the different genres and artists I've explored, Tell All Your Friends remains my favorite album of all time. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys rock music. I love every song.

'You're So Last Summer' is a pop-punk favorite from 2003. Everyone who heard the song before getting the album defiantly wasn't disappointed when they finally made the purchase. This album is an anthem for the broken hearted and an old favorite to scream along to with friends.

I remember dating a girl that loved this album. Thats how I knew it was over. I have day-dreams of seeing taking back sunday fans in a pit fight against Pantera fans. I highly suspect that all the male 5 star reviews come from those that have never touched a woman.

Some of the reviews claim Taking Back Sunday is the best thing to happen to American music. I won't go that far though I do love every cd they've released so far. Taking Back Sunday helped create the whole emotional (or "emo") music movement with "Tell All Your Friends". You either loved them or you hated them, but you'd hard pressed to find someone who never heard of them.

This cd was very good but did have a few kinks in it. There was also a couple songs I couldn't get out of my head. So overall, I would give this album 4 stars just because of the few songs that didnt stick. However some of the songs are more than 5 stars, like Great Romances Of The 20th Century, You're So Last Summer and Timberwolves at New Jersey. Those songs are as close to perfect as you can get.

Well this the first time I have ever wanted to write a review about an album. Wow what can I say about Taking Back Sunday. These guys are so lyrically Talented that it's scary. I was recommended to check out TBS by one of my friends and all I can say is how or why did it take this long for me to listen to this awsome band? This is such a superb album. I was hook after hearing the first song "You know how I do" and couldn't stop listing until the very last song "Head Club" and still I yearned for more. I have never heard a band so lyrically talented and emotional about there music. All I can say is I can't wait to listen to the other albums and am definitely looking forward in the feature to seeing these guys live. This is my new favorite band and will probably be for the next decade. A++

this cd/dvd is so cool... you get most of the songs already on Louder Now: Part One but they are live... and you get 2 bonus songs too... the bonus songs are awesome.. they get stuck in your head :-)... the dvd is great too... you get a lot more footage then what you got on Louder Now: Part One... the video is so funny and you get bonus footage on the dvd too... (lots of bonuses)!!! you will definitely enjoy it if you get it...

While this may be a good introduction to TBS's first two albums, one would be better off buying those two albums instead of this one. The first two records I would give four stars to each.Everything on this album except the last song have already been released on the first two records

This has all the best of the old. Nothing New. If you bought one of the early editions of Tell All Your Friends you probably didn't get The Ballad of Sal Villanueva or Your Own Disaster. Worth it as a gift or for the truly dedicated.

Yes this is just a way for Victory Records to capitalize on TBS' fame but at the same time, this album contains some of TBS' best work. Old TBS is way better than the MTV TBS and those of you complaining that there are no Louder Now tracks on the album should be happy that this CD contains older tracks. My guess is that many current TBS fans heard their new stuff on the radio or MTV but haven't heard their older, better stuff. You should thank Victory for enlightening you.

this CD is obviously for people who haven't heard much of TBS but want to explore them without spending too much money. that's awesome how they have your own disaster and the ballad of sal villanueva, two very old classic tbs songs. now if they released an actual CD from when antonio and jesse were in the band that'd just be sweet.

you're down
for sellin me out
while i play dumb
its cool cuz i let you
thought i'd never catch you
you'd say we're only friends
yeah real good friends i bet i bet...

While the songs on the CD are great for TBS fans, beware: There's nothing new to hear here. In fact, all of the songs are album versions from Tell All Your Friends, Louder Now, etc. The last two songs are B-sides, but have been released previously. Your Own Disaster (The "hey lush, have fun, it's the weekend" song) was on a Warped Tour disc in 2004 or so, and the Ballad of Sal Villenueva ("It's not that I don't trust you, I just know what you've been up to"), well, that's just old news.

Looks like Victory Records really just wants more money.

Insane CD, my favorite tracks would be liar, twenty twenty surgery, miami, and devine intervention. as for the dvd those guys are funny as hell, Nice too. But dont let the off stage antics fool you these guys are amazing music makers and i cant wait to hear more from them in the future

If your a fan of Tell all your friends and Where you want to be, then get this cd, "Spin" and "Twenty Twenty Surgery" are two notable tracks

This DVD has some awesome footage of shows including random stuff that happens on stage which can be hilarious. It also introduces the band and how they act with each other on tour which is cool. I already had the album but this was still worth the money for any TBS fan.

Amazing price, amazing value amazing service received in 5 days from usa cheaper than here and in some cases faster although I only paid minimum postage.
Many thanks Amazon.

This CD reminds me of the BIGGEST crush in the history of mankind...a crush that was more than love and more than hate...bigger than both combined; Ok, I may be getting carried away. It wasn't love and it wasn't hate, it was some weird light mix of the two...I swear, emotions have never been more vibrant than they were that winter/spring of 2001/2002. This CD also is great to me, 'cause it helped usher in a new era of popular culture, where it wasn't just the pretty boys/gals making sexy moves to sell records, but the ACTUAL MUSIC started to matter. Now that we have emo and pop-punk, with heartfelt melodies (not just lyrics), sang with conviction, it suddenly seems "uncool" to like the Backstreet Boys, who every 2 or 3 years seem to TRY to make a comeback, but haven't (at least not yet...). OF course, we still have Britney Spears and a bunch of sexed-up hiphoppers, but superficial pop will always reign in this era of superfiiclaity and lack of parenting/morals...at least now there's some decent competition. All we had in the late 90's was as bunch of Korn ripoffs and Creed...this CD makes my day!!

ALSO, at least the one I bought is NOT merely a dualdisc. It comes with the regular CD so if you're player isn't compatable with DualDisc format, you still have the regular CD.

Words can not describe this C.D.'s impact to me, it is without a doubt my favorite; ever. Songs like "Cute Without The E", "Your So Last Summer", "There's No I In Team", "Timberwolves at New Jersy", ect. al. have defined my young life since 7th grade. In short, these are the compostions that changed my life. I'd suggest you let them do the same for you.

Brilliant! Taking Back Sunday has once again delivered a full-length
album that touches every aspect of emo (emotional) music. Their
album, "Tell All of Your Friends," connects the emotional high of teenage relationships with the depressing experience of breaking up through harmonious guitar riffs and fluctuating tempos. The lyrical composure of the songs is somewhat repetitive, but at the same time adds a great deal of passion and understanding to the album's overall theme. With lyrics like, "It's a shame I don't think that they'll notice. It's a shame I doubt they even care. Well, no one has to know about this," depicts the mental state of a teenager who debates whether or not to tell his/her parents about the failed relationship. This is all too common among America's teens nowadays. They believe that their parents could care less about the emotional strain that they encounter as a result of a relationship. Taking Back Sunday utilizes these very emotions and integrates them into their music subsequently creating a unique listening experience that teenagers can relate to. This album is well thought-out and brilliantly delivered. If you are a fan of emotional music or just a music lover looking for the next big thing, this album will definitely be a pleaser.

I'm a BIG Taking Back Sunday fan. Although, all 3 of their CDs are awesome, this is still, in my opinion, their greatest! I love the music, the lyrics are the standout of this band,and all the band members are dope! BUY THIS IS CD, IT'S AMAZING. One of the greatest albums in this genre of music. Every song is fantastic!!

STANDOUT TRACKS: EVERY SINGLE SONG..NO JOKE!

This cd of all of the Taking Back Sunday cd's is the best!!! It is so relateable, and his voice!!!! It's upbeat, while talking about sucky things. Definitly a must have cd!

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Track Listings:
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1. Who Cares - Gnarls Barkley
2. High - James Blunt (Demo Version)
3. Love Train - Wolfmother
4. Jerusalem - Matisyahu
5. Don't Wait - Dashboard Confessional (Target Acoustic Performance)
6. Teahouse Of The Spirits - The Panic Channel
7. Find Yourself A Safe Place - Editors
8. What's It Feel Like Being A Ghost? - Taking Back Sunday
9. Better Way _ Ben Harper (Live from Aspen CO.)
10. Paradise - Jenny Lewis with Watson Twins
11. One Shot - O.A.R.
12. For You I Will - Teddy Geiger
13. Miniature Disasters - KT Tunstall (Live)
14. Valkyrie Missile - Angels and Airwaves
15. Not Everyone - Nine Black Alps
16. Stay (Faraway, So Close) Flyleaf
17. Twenty Hour Drive - Red JumpSuit Apparatus