Little C: Tidal Wave

The new Taking Back Sunday album is finally here! Readers, I've had a 14 year long love affair with this band (cue the jokes about how old and close to death I am. My birthday is coming up so I'm already crying about it) and I have yet to dislike one of their albums. That's ridiculously rare, especially from a band that has changed its lineup and style multiple times.

I won't do a track by track review for this album, mostly because this is not one of those albums that has clear cut singles or future fan favorites. As they've aged, TBS has started to favor mood or theme albums more and more. 2014's Happiness Is was an album about the moments that we try to avoid.

Tidal Wave is about growing up and transitioning (mostly reluctantly) into adulthood. We Don't Go In There talks about realizing that people are idolizing someone who's completely full of shit. You Can't Look Back talks about lead singer Adam Lazzara's struggle with sobriety. These ideas and emotions are played with a sound that is far more Americana than emo. 

This is only vaguely the same band that gave us You're So Last Summer. The only resemblance to their early style is their fondness for layered vocals and simple but hooky guitar riffs. A decade and a half in, Taking Back Sunday has found a place where they can be consistent. There aren't as many songs that stand out, but there are also fewer needle scratches from songs that should have been left on the B sides. The best word for this album is steady. Holy water and the title track are definitely stand outs, but within the context of the album they blend into the songs around them. It probably won't win them tons of new fans, but for this old one consistency is a solid comfort. 

As more and more of my favorite bands fail to keep their ability to change and end up breaking up, these guys have proven that through all the changes of guitarists and styles they've still got more they want to say. I still want to hear it. 

Happy Listening,

Little C