Review Summary: New Again will have you clapping your hands all summer long.
If you’re on summer vacation already please go pick up this album if you haven’t. Taking Back Sunday has done it again, and with a new singer this time. Some people may think they named this new album New Again because their line-up has changed but I think the real reason is because they have come up with new, original material again. After the departure of Fred Mascherino and with Adam Lazzara still at vocals, they’ve created a new and improved sound. Don’t worry folk’s good ‘ol Matt Fazzi is now helping out with the singing.
New Again is a summertime album just because it sounds so much better when listening to it in the sun or outside in general. It creates a happy atmosphere that is much needed when trying to get yourself through finals or just starting off your summer with a bang. The album really starts off well with the title track “New Again.” It has all the energy that you anticipated when you decided to buy this album. The second song “Sink Into Me” is the best on the record in my opinion. The bass beats and the “Hey!” chant make this song one of the catchiest on the album. I doubt you can listen to this song and not clap your hands or at least tap your foot to the amazing rhythm. “Lonely, Lonely” is another solid hit on this album. It keeps with the idea of clapping throughout the song but it sounds more like typical Taking Back Sunday.
Being that this album was released on June 2nd makes me think that they wanted this to be a summer album. The fourth song, “Summer, Man” keeps with the theme but is kind of depressing with lyrics such as “the summer is over and I doubt I’ll see you around.” This is where, sadly to say the album drops off. “Swing” is nothing new; “Where My Mouth Is” is relatively acceptable with its mediocre catchiness it brings to the table. “Cut Me Up Jenny” thankfully picks up where “Sink Into Me” left off. The beat is right on and with Adam’s borderline screaming on the chorus it makes for a pretty decent song.
Do yourself a favor and listen to “Catholic Knees” and “Capital M-E” just once and then skip over them whenever you listen to this album. There is nothing specifically wrong with them it’s just that they’re nothing neither new nor exciting to listen to and that time could be spent to listening to “Carpathia.” “Carpathia” is the second to last song on the album and really helps bring a nice close to New Again. It’s nothing new or stimulating but it does show the true potential of Taking Back Sunday’s songwriting talent. The closer “Everything Must Go” is one of the best albums closers I have ever had the pleasure to hear. The true emotion of the song along with the disheartening lyrics makes this a joy to listen through. Whether you’re listening to this album playing beach volleyball, sitting around a campfire with your friends or just relaxing because school is finally over, New Again is a must listen for the summer if not one of the best Taking Back Sunday albums ever.
