If you know anything about Taking Back Sunday, you know that their line-up has never truly stayed the same. From early on with Jesse Lacey (now fronting Brand New) to Fred Mascherino (fronting The Color Fred and Terrible Things), TBS has had 11 different members, with only three constants through each release (singer Adam Lazzara, rhythm guitarist Eddie Reyes, and drummer Mark O’Connell). And, along with each release, the band has been evolving, putting out a more mature sound with every album.

But last year, it was announced that the members who helped release their debut album in 2002 were coming back through this very special blog post:

“Sometimes it takes some time to remember where you were headed in the first place and the people you intended to go there with. There’s no hard feelings, just the future.”

Many TBS fans jumped in excitement with this huge, yet vague post. I was skeptical. I was all for the original line-up putting in one more album, but I personally didn’t want it to sound like anything like their debut. Well luckily for me, it doesn’t, and only expands on the evolution of Taking Back Sunday.

Their self titled album starts out with “El Paso,” what is probably the hardest rocking song that TBS has ever put out. Ironically, it also sounds like something straight from former band mate Jesse Lacey‘s Brand New latest album Daisy. That leads into their first single “Faith (When I Let You Down).” With 30 Seconds To Mars-like choir parts, “Faith” almost acts as an apology card to the faithful Taking Back Sunday fan-base, singing “But, when I let you down, look past your doubt. Just, please, please, don’t lose your faith in me.”

If you think that Taking Back Sunday might have lost their roots (although ever-changing like their line-ups) and is going to a more contemporary sound, well you’re wrong. Most of these songs feel welcome on any one of their earlier releases. “Best Places to Be a Mom” sounds like it could easily with their debut album Tell All Your Friends, bringing their fast style of punk, which has been noticeably missing with their last release in 2009. “This Is All Now” is a slower passed rock song, which brings great dual vocals from both Lazzara and lead guitarist John Nolan. “It Doesn’t Feel a Thing like Falling” is reminiscent of the starting tracks on Louder Now, being a methodical rock song perfect for playlists.

When I first heard that the original line-up was coming back for this album, my skepticism flew out the roof. But, after a couple of listens to their new album, I’m happy to say that THIS is their best album to date (always debatable). Each song feels fresh, making the album something that you must finish from beginning to end. Just like the blog post I mentioned earlier, “Sometimes it takes some time to remember where you were headed in the first place…” And if Taking Back Sunday’s original plan was to be number one, well then I think that they have a great start. Now all I can wish for is for them to stay together, and who knows, maybe they can put out an even better album soon.

A must buy for fans, and a great jumping in point for new listeners.

Final Grade: A-