Driven Far Off

The latest on the indie, alternative, and rock music scene including news, music, contest, interviews, and more. Best described as your favorite place to find new bands.

Lostprophets – Liberation Transmission

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Lostprophets

Artist: Lostprophets
Album: Liberation Transmission
Label: Columbia
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: June 27, 2006

Overall: 7.9
Music: 8.5
Lyrics: 7.3
Production: 8.0

These Welsh lads have been gradually positioning themselves to take over the U.S. rock charts for the past five years. “The Fakesound of Progress” was a gem that will forever remain one of my top albums of all time; mixing elements of punk, hardcore, emo, and straight up alt. rock in a schizophrenic frenzy that if you were lucky enough to get, it would change your expectations of rock music. “Start Something” was the album to launch the band into the mainstream with singles like “Last Train Home” and “Make a Move(Wake Up)” capturing the hearts of new listeners with their pop polish shining through. While not as complex as “Fakesound,” “Start Something” was still a solid album full of strong songs.

Now, two years later, we have “Liberation Transmission.” This is the record that will make or break the band for the mainstream. The album is full of radio ready songs and some tracks that are better suited to being listened to off the radio.

Ian Watkins has always amazed me vocally, both live and on disc. Once again, he doesn’t disappoint. The lyrics are nothing complex, but are the product of someone knowing how to craft solid pop/rock songs. However, with themes of hope and a line dropped from “The Goonies” in a chorus(Andie, you goonie!) you can’t help but forgive the fact you’re not looking at pretentiousness from a seasoned act like Lostprophets.

Lee Gaze and Mike Lewis bring on the shred with their guitars, managing to once again build parts that stick out in your head, helping put this band heads and shoulders above others musically.

I will warn you, this is one of those albums that grows on you with multiple listens. I had high expectations, and when I first gave these tracks a listen, I was a little bored, but I sat down with the album again and realized these are all great songs. Then the more I listened, the more I grew to love this album. In some ways, it’s weaker than “Start Something”, and in others it’s stronger. The fact of the matter is, if you like this band, you will like this album. If you’ve been thinking of giving them a chance, this is a good place to start. If you’ve never liked them, this probably won’t win you over.

Tracklisting:
1. Everyday Combat
2. A Town Called Hypocrisy
3. A New Transmission
4. Rooftops(A Liberation Transmission)
5. Can’t Stop, Gotta Date With Hate
6. Can’t Catch Tomorrow(Good Shoes Won’t Save You This Time)
7. Everybody’s Screaming!!!
8. Broken Hearts, Torn Up Letters and the Story of a Lonely Girl
9. 4 AM Forever
10. For All These Times Son, For All These Times
11. Heaven For the Weather, Hell For the Company
12. Always All Ways(Apologies, Glances and Messed Up Chances)

Stand Out Tracks
Rooftops/Can’t Stop, Gotta Date With Hate/ Broken Hearts, Torn Up Letters…/For All These Times Son/ Always All Ways

Show Review: Warped Tour Nashville, TN June 21, 2006

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Warped Tour

Of all summer festivals, Warped Tour has always been the best bang for your buck. Twenty three dollars for 30+ bands is ridiculously awesome. Too bad Ticketmaster likes to stab at our wallets. “Convenience” charges and service fees aside, Warped is still your best ticket of the summer, and maybe even the year.

The sun was already high in the air and there wasn’t a rain cloud in sight over the Starwood Ampitheater in Nashville, TN. The parking lot was filling up as street punks, older Warped vets, and the Myspace generation made their way to the gates.

While walking around, the smell of hairspray hung in the air, as most kids didn’t anticipate sweating it all out for the day. I made a quick sweep of the layout, because every date’s differs according to the setup of the venue.

After learning it was almost time for Gym Class Heroes, I made my way to their stage. That band never ceases to amaze me, and with the addition of a synth player, their live sound is even better.

After Gym Class, I walked around a bit before checking out Dayton, TN’s Radio Fix. I’d been wanting to see the band live for a while and they delivered.

I left The Radio Fix to catch the first of Saves the Day’s set. Legends in this scene, it was amazing to see true masters at work.

I hopped over to the Myspace tent to check out a little acoutic Gym Class Heroes. MC Travis McCoy dropped some spoken word that was quite incredible to experience.

I then got into the second row, eagerly anticipating theAcademyIs…, however, the heat was starting to take its toll. Coupled with the headache I was developing due to the fourteen year olds freaking out because TAI is so “hawt,” I was near the point of blacking out. I took off before they started for some shade while still being able to listen to them.

After a nice turkey sandwich for lunch, I watched Greeley Estates with a friend and was pleasantly surprised at how tight they were.

I went from Greeley to Rookie of the Year, which is quite a dynamic change in sound. I didn’t stick around long, because I wanted a good spot for Motion City Soundtrack.

The sun was slowly, and I stress slowly, trying to go down, but still loomed over the crowd as MCS took the stage. Never a band to disappoint, they had the entire crowd singing along. Unfortunately, they also had the teenagers moshing. Let’s not forget the crowd surfers. Mostly between the ages of 13 and 16, it would be the first time a lot of these girls were held in the arms of a man: a security guard.

Just staying at the same stage and waiting it out, I got up front and center for Paramore. They have never put on a bad show in Nashville, and they continued their streak. Frontwoman Hayley Williams may be small, but she knows how to command a crowd better than a lot of bands headlining this tour for multiple years. The Farro brothers both played their respectful instruments with the efficiency of seasoned professionals. Bass player Jeremy grooved along to the tunes and threw in an acrobatic cartwheel over Josh’s back. Guitarist Hunter Lamb rounded out the lineup to help deliver one of the best sets of the day.

As soon as Paramore ended, I walked all the way across the grounds to catch the most underrated band today: Spitalfield. Mixing songs from their first two Victory LPs and throwing in a song from their forthcoming album, Spitalfield played a set of pop songs solid enough to make Fall Out Boy jealous.

And so ended my day at the Warped Tour. I left with a bag full of free swag, a headache, and the sunburn from Hell. It was a blast.

Cute Is What We Aim For – The Same Old Blood Rush With a New Touch

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Cute Is What We Aim For

Artist: Cute Is What We Aim For
Album: The Same Old Blood Rush With a New Touch
Label: Fueled By Ramen
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: June 20, 2006

Overall: 5.5
Music: 5.6
Lyrics: 5.7
Production: 5.4

Having followed this band since last summer, I had high hopes for this album. They were shattered to an extent. There’s an odd thing going on with this disc. Usually, the first half of an album is good and the last half is forgettable. It’s reversed here.

Cute have delivered twelve tracks that leave me mixed on where this album stands in my collection.

“Newport Living” suffers from an awkward opening and bad lyrics like, “If you lie, you don’t deserve to have friends.” Whereas “Risque” is just skippable altogether. Fan favorite “There’s a Class For This” suffers from new production and an out of place and bored William Beckett. “Sweat the Battle Before the Battle Sweats You” is a decent song that sounds more full in comparison to the ones before it. “The Fourth Drink Instinct” was the first compelling song on the album.

“Sweet Talk 101” has an opening that could very well be ripped from Coheed and Cambria’s “Three Evils.” Seriously, listen to their openings back to back. Sketchy.

There’s also the songs that helped this band gain its popularity. “Finger Twist and Split” sounds overproduced now, opposed to the more natural feel of the demo. It still tends to stick out more than other songs on here. “Lyrical Lies” suffers from Shaant trying to be fancy with his vocal style and it takes away from the charm of this slow burner. “Teasing To Please” could possibly be the best song on this disc, actually improving on the demo.

New tracks “I Put the Metro in Metronome,” “Curse of Curves,” and “Moan” try their best to make this album worth a purchase as they’re all gems. “Curse of Curves” sounds sped up when compared to the original internet preview. Maybe it’s just me, but if anyone else can tell, please let me know.

The album is definitely pulled down by the repeated use of certain lyrics. I’m not just talking in certain songs, either. The word “gent(s)” is used numerous times throughout the disc. It also takes choruses to a new annoyance, having them repeat more times than they should.

I used to think Matt Squire could do no wrong, but alas, good things don’t last. This is my least favorite Squire-produced album, and honestly, there were not any others that I disliked.

The band is still young, and I don’t think they were ready to step up to Fueled By Ramen. This is one of the label’s weakest signings of the past two years. They have potential, but they need to stop trying so hard to be witty and liked. This album is a victim of “the angles.” If you’re just glancing at it, it seems like a pretty safe bet, but in the age of the “myspace generation” the real thing just isn’t what you were hoping for.

Tracklisting
1. Newport Living
2. There’s a Class For This
3. Finger Twist and Split
4. Risque
5. Sweat the Battle Before the Battle Sweats You
6. The Fourth Drink Instinct
7. Sweet Talk 101
8. The Curse of Curves
9. I Put the Metro In Metronome
10. Lyrical Lies
11. Moan
12. Teasing To Please(Left Side, Strong Side)

Standout Tracks: The Fourth Drink Instinct/The Curse of Curves/Moan/Teasing To Please

Ryan’s Hope – Apocalypse In Increments

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Ryan's Hope

Artist: Ryan’s Hope
Album: Apocalypse In Increments
Label: Punk News Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: April 11, 2006

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.6
Lyrics: 7.6
Production: 8.0

Not hitting up the Warped Tour this summer? Looking for some new tunes to capture the feel of the glory days? Look no further than Ryan’s Hope. Hailing from Chicago, the band delivers a disc packed with the “fuck you” attitude of Bad Religion and the speed and catchiness of the Descendants and Lifetime.

Tracks like “My Motivation, Your Demise” and “Majority” provide a harder alternative of driving music if you don’t prefer your songs sugar-coated.

“Apocalypse in Increments” is 13 tracks of fast, loud, and in your face pop-punk that’s begging to be spun all summer.

Tracklisting
1. End is Here
2. My Motivation, Your Demise
3. The Carpathian
4. Reiteration
5. Haven’t Got the Time
6. Exorcism
7. My Decision
8. When Life Steals Life
9. Killing Through Song
10. Majority
11. By the Sword
12. This Time
13. The Ranks

Standout Tracks:
My Motivation, Your Demise/Majority/By the Sword

V/A – Sound of Superman

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Sound of Superman

Artist: Various
Album: Sound of Superman
Label: Rhino Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: June 13, 2006

Overall: 5.0
Music:
Lyrics:
Production:

A tribute album that’s not aimed at a band that just broke the mainstream radio? Plus one point.
A novelty album paying homage to one of comics’ greatest icons? Plus one point.
An album full of subpar songs by usually above average bands? Minus two points.
That leaves us with nothing, really.

The concept of this album was simple: A nice little marketing tie-in for the summer’s biggest blockbuster(because it will be) that capitalizes on some of the best talent in the “scene” today. Throw in a couple of unknowns and what could go wrong, right? Unfortunately, plenty could go wrong.

We’re victim to some bland tracks such as an REM cover from theAcademyIs… that leads us to believe William Beckett is bored in the booth. He tries to put the emotion usually found in his vocals into the song, but I’m not buying it. An original from American Hi-Fi(remember them?) tries to act like it wasn’t written to receive radio play. Nightmare of You’s cover of The Flaming Lips’ “Waitin’ For a Superman,” despite the Lips’ greatness, seems like a step behind for the band.

A couple of middle men step in to help the album gain some redeeming qualities. Paramore’s cover of The Foo Fighters’ “My Hero” is a decent track. Paramore in acoustic mode usually tugs at a few heartstrings, but Hayley’s voice is capable of so much more than what’s delivered. Jack Mannequin’s “Meet Me At My Window” suffers from some production flaws, such as the unnecessary vocorder on some of the chorus vocals.

Then we have the better songs of the album. “The Worst Part,” a new original by Motion City Soundtrack, is probably my favorite, as I can see this song being on a new album rather than a Superman tribute. The band’s signature sound is found to be maturing, and Justin’s vocals are gorgeous as usual. Some decent rockers from Plain White T’s and Maxeen try to help save this album as well. The Receiving End of Sirens round off our list with a cover of Stereophonics’ “Superman.” It’s what you’ve come to expect from this band, with the build up to a heavy, destructive climax while retaining a spacey feel throughout.

Also included are some groups I’ve never heard of before, and probably won’t check out again. The Sun, The Films, and Royal really did nothing for me at all. The Sun fails horribly at sounding like a blend of Bloc Party and Death From Above 1979. There are too many bands trying to sound retro right now, and The Films don’t do anything to help make that group any better. I’ve never heard the original “Brainiac’s Daughter” by The Dukes of the Stratosphear, and Royal’s cover doesn’t give me the desire to. There is a track from Sarah Routh, the sister of the new Superman, Brandon Routh. This track is actually good, but the fact her style is that of a contemporary adult female artist will probably turn off the kids that this disc is obviously being aimed at.

More misses than hits, this album isn’t worth it as a whole package, but you can check out previews all over the internet if you hunt hard enough. See what you like, and if you can find those individual tracks on iTunes, pick them up there.

Tracklisting
1. The Academy Isâ┚¬Ã‚¦ â┚¬Ã…”Supermanâ┚¬? (The Clique/R.E.M. cover)
2. Plain White Tâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s â┚¬Ã…”Itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s So Easyâ┚¬? (original)
3. The Sun â┚¬Ã…”(Wish I Could Fly Like) Supermanâ┚¬? (The Kinks cover)
4. Motion City Soundtrack â┚¬Ã…”The Worst Partâ┚¬Ã‚¦Ãƒ¢Ã¢”š¬? (original)
5. The Films â┚¬Ã…”Sunshine Supermanâ┚¬? (Donovan cover)
6. Maxeen â┚¬Ã…”Save Meâ┚¬? (original)
7. Paramore â┚¬Ã…”My Heroâ┚¬? (Foo Fighters cover)
8. American Hi-Fi â┚¬Ã…”The Rescueâ┚¬? (original)
9. The Spill Canvas â┚¬Ã…”Savedâ┚¬? (original)
10. Jackâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s Mannequin â┚¬Ã…”Meet Me At My Windowâ┚¬? (original)
11. Nightmare Of You â┚¬Ã…”Waitinâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ For A Supermanâ┚¬? (The Flaming Lips cover)
12. The Receiving End Of Sirens â┚¬Ã…”Supermanâ┚¬? (Stereophonics cover)
13. Royal â┚¬Ã…”Brainiacâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s Daughterâ┚¬? (Dukes of Stratosphear cover)
14. Sara Routh â┚¬Ã…”Youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re Never Goneâ┚¬? (original)

Saves The Day – Sound The Alarm

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Saves The Day

Artist: Saves The Day
Album: Sound The Alarm
Label: Vagrant
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: April 11, 2006

Overall: 9.2
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 9.4
Production: 9.3

After the horrible response from fans about 2003’s “In Reverie,” being labeless, and touring off of their old material, Saves the Day have returned with a more focused album on “Sound the Alarm.” Finding refuge in old friends Vagrant Records, the band that influenced so many of today’s artists have had to draw on influence from none other than themselves, returning to the frantic “emocore” that made them popular. They’ve also got a few new tricks up their sleeve this time around.

Most easily notable is Chris Conley’s voice which has been refined into an even bigger powerhouse than it once was. He takes the “heart on sleeve” approach and produces an entire wardrobe compromised of a heart on everything. The lyrics really stick out on the whole album. “Say You’ll Never Leave” is a prime example of the emotional gutwrenching feeling that is closer to the true definition of “emo music” than the crap kids call “emo” today.

There’s a little variety here such as the slow burner “Don’t Know Why.”

The bands that rip off “Saves the Day” should take note, because they just got outdone by the original product once again.

Tracklisting
1. Head For the Hills
2. The End
3. Shattered
4. Eulogy
5. Dying Day
6. 34
7. Say You’ll Never Leave
8. Diseased
9. Don’t Know Why
10. Sound the Alarm
11. Bones
12. Delusional
13. Hell Is Here

Forgive Durden – Wonderland

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Forgive Durden

Artist: Forgive Durden
Album: Wonderland
Label: Fueled By Ramen
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: May 9, 2006

Overall: 8.4
Music: 8.7
Lyrics: 8.2
Production: 8.5

Seattle’s Forgive Durden were one of two “mystery signings” by the ever growing Fueled By Ramen this past year. They are also one of the most unique bands on the label’s roster. “Wonderland” is a concept album touching on several different social issues that are problems in the world today. The result is an album that’s not your typical pop-punk that the label has been delivering as of late.

Mixing elements of pop and prog, the band’s songs are constructed more intricately than those of their labelmates, yet still retain their ability to hook you in. Songs like “Ear to Ear” and “Parable of the Sower” are perfect examples of this. Meanwhile a song like “Il Tango Della Signora Francesco Di Bartolommeo Di Zanobi Del Giocondo” shows how ambitious the band can be while sounding different from their contemporaries. Drawing influences from several different styles, Forgive Durden are an amaglam of flavor that should be able to please everyone from fans of Fall Out Boy to fans of Coheed and Cambria.

Tracklisting
1. Ants
2. Beware The Jubjub Bird And Shun The Frumious Bandersnatch
3. Ear To Ear
4. Parable Of The Sower
5. Il Tango Della Signora Francesco Di Bartolommeo Di Zanobi Del Giocondo
6. A Dead Person Breathed On Me!
7. The Great Affair Is To Move
8. Harry Frazee And No No Nanette
9. For A Dreamer, Night’s The Only Time Of Day
10. I’ve Got A Witch Mad At Me And You Might Get Into Trouble
11. Cue The Sun

Transition – Get There

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Transition

Artist: Transition
Album: Get There
Label: Floodgate Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: September 12, 2006

Overall: 7.4
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 7.3
Production: 8.0

This band’s singer, Daniel Smyers, sound just like Scott Sellers of Rufio. For the first few seconds of listening to this band, I thought I was listening to Rufio. Take the metal influences away from Rufio and you have Transition.

“Excusable” is another anthem for working class teenagers with dreams of living a more exciting life. It’s pretty catchy, too. For some reason though, I just can’t get into the rest of this album.

Transition are good. They play perfect poppunk, but it just isn’t enough to catch my attention. We all know I’m a sucker for that sugar coated stuff, but this is like eating a hollow gobstopper. This music will fit in perfectly with this day and age’s current “Warped Tour Crowd.” It may even be nice to listen to on a warm summer day, but it lacks the punch that recent releases from Punchline and Hit the Lights delivered. It’s almost like there’s no feeling to it.

The production by Mike Herrera from MXPX is solid.

All in all, this isn’t a bad release, it’s just not as ear grabbing as it should be. It’ll be interesting to see where these guys go, though.

Tracklisting
1. Excusable
2. Down At the Harbor
3. The Issue
4. Winter
5. Air We Breathe
6. Count Me Out
7. A Letter From Dallas
8. Carolina
9. Give and Take
10. Get There
11. Tune In

Halifax – The Inevitability of a Strange World

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Halifax

Artist: Halifax
Album: The Inevitability of a Strange World
Label: Drive-Thru Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: May 23, 2006

Overall: 8.6
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 7.9
Production: 8.9

It’s been a long time coming, and when I say a long time coming, I mean basically a year. “The Inevitability of a Strange World” is Halifax’s debut LP for Drive Thru Records. This album is great. It’s not awesome, it’s not bad, but it’s great. It’ll make for good summer-driving music..or party music, depending on how you look at it. It’s no surprise the content of this album is more concentrated on being a big time rock band as the groups penchant for partying has been made public by several appearances on MTV’s “The Real World.”

The opening riff of “Nightmare” gets your head moving automatically and before vocalist Mike Hunau can even finish the second line of the song, he’s already shown us how powerful his voice can be. This is one of the strongest and catchiest tracks on the album.

The Motley Crue influenced “Our Revolution”(the song blatantly rips off the melody of “Kickstart My Heart” with the blessing of Nikki Sixx himself) presents us with a band that obviously wants to have more fun than bands that take themselves too seriously in this scene. The song was road tested for the past year along with “Nightmare” and contains what is probably one of the cheesiest “shout-a-long” parts on any band’s current touring circuit. Replacing the Crue’s “Whoah, yeah!” to “Hell yeah!”, you can just taste the cheese, but when you’re seeing this band live, you can’t help but shout along. To top things off, there’s an over the top guitar solo. Halifax are as close to hair metal as you can be while still retaining your fans. Honestly, I like hair metal. Maybe that’s why I love this song so much. It’s a feel good track that’s a lot of fun.

Keeping the pace of the album up is “Under Fire.” Interesting rhythm parts and a catchy chorus keep you jamming along for another three minutes.

“Anthem For Tonight”, “Hey Italy”, and “Snow In Hollywood” are more of the same driving rock that’s been playing for the past three tracks. The trio are all solid tracks, but aren’t as compelling as the previous.

“Such a Terrible Trend” will most likely end up on the next incarnation of “Power Ballads.” It’s not that bad of a song, it just brings the album’s fast and furious pace down a few notches.

Luckily, the opening “Ahs” of “Better Than Sex” make up for the slowed-down tempo of “Such a Terrible…” and the song fully kicks in, picking things back up. With Mike’s voice really shining throughout this song, the lyrics of the bridge stick out. “Still why do we breathe sex like lovers, but live like enemies?” The song even has a light breakdown that oddly enough fits in perfectly.

Unfortuately, we’re slowed down again by “Giant in the Ring” which is easily skippable.

What happened to the flow of this album? “Promise Me Tragedy,” “A Tint of Rain,” and “I Told You So” continue the pattern of fast, slow, fast. This band should just stick to writing pounding rock music instead of slow songs that will put you to sleep in thirty seconds.

“Murder I Wrote” closes the album mixing some of the best and worst elements of the band.

Musically, the band has expanded upon what made their EP “A Writer’s Reference” so wonderful. The guitar parts are metal tinged while still retaining their “punky” roots, and let’s not forget that solo in “Our Revolution.” The drumming is solid, and the bass helps keep the rhythm in check.

Lyrically, the band can improve. The “fun” tracks are great for what they are, but aside from “Better Than Sex” the “relationship” tracks need some work.

Dual production from Lou Giordano and Machine took a polished album and gave it a gritty live feel. The result was perfect for all of the faster songs. The band shines live and the “live sound” of the album is close to what you’ll hear when they take the stage.

The only thing strange about this world is that Drive-Thru’s release schedule is back on track. If they keep bringing us solid releases like this, they can easily reclaim their crown as favorite independent label of kids everywhere. As for Halifax, if the band keeps growing and gets the promotion they deserve, they will easily topple the crap passing for rock on the radio right now and will bring the fun back into a corporate market.

Tracklisting
1. Nightmare
2. Our Revolution
3. Under Fire
4. Anthem For Tonight
5. Hey Italy
6. Snow In Hollywood
7. Such a Terrible Trend
8. Better Than Sex
9. Giant In the Ring
10. Promise Me Tragedy
11. A Tint of Rain
12. I Told You So
13. Murder I Wrote

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Taking Back Sunday

Artist: Taking Back Sunday
Album: Louder Now
Label: Warner Bros.
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: April 25, 2006

Overall: 9.4
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 9.3
Production: 9.0

They’ve got us right where they want us, and that’s hanging onto every word uttered from Adam Lazzara and Fred Mascherino’s lips. The new millenium brought with it, a new-wave of “punk” and “emo” groups, defying the odds and rising to mainstream success. Taking Back Sunday were one such band, with their debut LP “Tell All Your Friends” capturing the ears and hearts of people everywhere. As touring off the album progressed, and the band got more and more attention, lyricist/guitarist John Nolan and bassist Shaun Cooper parted ways with the band, causing an uproar among fans. Finding the missing pieces of their lineup, Taking Back Sunday enlisted the services of Breaking Pangaea guitarist/vocalist Fred Mascherino and new bassist Matt Rubano. The result was 2004’s “Where You Want to Be”, which released to mixed opinions. The album did better than expected and Warner Brothers snatched TBS from Victory’s clutches(thank God), helping to propel them to even greater success. With the release of “Louder Now” the band are on the verge of being the next big thing all over again.

It’s been said that Adam Lazzara is a horrible singer. Yeah, well Bob Nanna wasn’t that hot either, but using his range(or lack thereof), he brought out emotion in the lyrics that helped make Braid one of the best “emo” bands of their time. The same can be said for Adam. He may not have the “American Idol” voice, but what he does works with this band and their lyrics. His vocal style on this album brings all the emotion of TAYF and mixes it with the style of WYWTB. Fred has proven himself yet again as a suitable replacement for John Nolan.

Take “Make Damn Sure” for instance. The dual vocals from Adam and Fred help make the song one of the strongest tracks on the album. You can feel them putting everything into this song.

Every track on here is worth listening to, even the re-worked version of “Error Operator.” To be honest, I like that song a lot.

Eric Valentine(Good Charlotte, Lostprophets) has done TBS justice, helping craft a blend of the previous two albums.

Taking Back Sunday has become a band fans of this genre should be proud to have fronting the scene and representing it in the mainstream.

Track Listing
1. What It Feels Like To Be A Ghost
2. Liar (It Takes One To Know One)
3. MakeDamnSure
4. Up Against (Blackout)
5. My Blue Heaven
6. Twenty-Twenty Surgery
7. Spin
8. Divine Intervention
9. Miami
10. Error Operator
11. I’ll Let You Live

http://www.drivenfaroff.com/2006/05/12/313/