Taking Back Who?
John Nolan and Shaun Cooper took a huge risk severing ties with an established band that had already achieved Gold status and had a rabid fan base. For those of you that aren’t familiar, these are the two members of Taking Back Sunday that parted ways with the band before recording their second album. No one really knew what they were going to do other than start another band.
The band, Straylight Run, has unveiled the new look and sound and the move was well worth the risk. Not only did they not drastically hurt the dynamics of Taking Back Sunday, who have moved on and released a great sophomore album, “Where You Want to Be”, but they created their own, dare I say, masterpiece in their self-titled album..
Straylight Run may not sell as many records as the already proven band they left, but they have created a very original “emo” album, that is one of the best, if not the best, in the genre. They have abandoned (for the most part) their “screamo” past and have created an album full of melodic piano, introspective lyrics, and urgent signing. Sure, the result can sometimes (but rarely) be a little over-the-top melodramatic, but overall, this is one of the best musical experiences available today. It also is unique in the fact that its not an overly dreary album, but has a sense hope, possibility, and optimism.
The individual songs may run into each other a bit, but they are all excellent with the exception of two songs. The two songs sung by Nolan’s sister, Michelle, are clearly the weakest on the album. She is a great benefit to the band when she is providing back up vocals for her brother, but when she is left on her own the results are mixed. “Tool Sheds and Hot Tubs” is an enigma in itself. It has decent lyrics but a lame techno beat that would make the B-Side of the worst record blush. “Now It’s Done” is more of the bands style, but still doesn’t live up to the intensity and feeling of her brother’s work.
Any 20-something can relate to the message of the album. The lyrics are extraodinary. They leave you with the feeling that you have heard the sentiment before, but are completely brand new and original. “Existentialism on Prom Night”, their first single and my favorite song on the album, is a moving song about the potential for something amazing, even tho it may be naive. I’m telling you, listen to this song a couple of times and you will be hooked. The majority of the songs are every bit as a good and will stay with you for awhile. Standout tracks include “The Tension and the Terror”, “Another Word for Desperate”, “Mistakes We Knew We Were Making”, “For the Best”, and “Sympathy for the Martyr”. If you know the back story of all the bands involved, you may notice a couple of potential shots at old/current friends (possibly towards Adam from TBS, thats just a hunch) and some attempts to mend up relationships that had been damaged from previous shots (Jesse from Brand New. See: “Your Name Here(Sunrise Highway)”).
By far, this is my favorite album of the new year. Do yourself a huge favor and give it a listen.
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