OK, so maby I'm not really returning this album..another beer coaster couldn't hurt, right? I picked this album up after hearing "Set phasers to stun" and "a decade under the influence" on the radio, which I should have realized that is exactly what this band is: radio pop rock for teenage angst. The singles on this album keep me from giving it 1 star, but I still give two grudgingly. If you enjoy the emo/screamo or whatever this genre is, then you will probably like this album. Otherwise, don't bother.

this album is O.K. dont get me wrong, i know all the lyrics and jam with friends but nothing compares to the 1st album, 'tell all your friends'. NOTHING. and nothing ever will. not feeling the new members. john nolan and sean cooper obviously were the brains of tbs cause their (sort of) new band, STRAYLIGHT RUN, is one of my favorite bands. now the 3rd tbs album. TRAIN WRECK. adam lazzara... SELL OUT.

This band is definetely good at what they do. I enjoyed TAYF, but when I first heard this I realized that they took it to a whole new level...in a good way. Basically I was instantly blown away, and although I don't listen to it as much these days, there is no denying this is a great record....Slowdance on the Inside the final track is one of my all-time favorite songs. This album has a lot of variety it can be hard-rocking, emotional and fast. I don't think they can replicate this and so far they haven't with "Louder Now"

Taking Back Sunday-Where You Want To Be ****



Where You Want To Be is Taking Back Sundays best album. While I am not big on the whole emo trip that the rest of the world seems to be stuck on I will say that Taking Back Sunday is a truly great band. Their lyrics are great and they're performances are great. While musically Taking Back Sunday is nothing to qawk serperatly but together they are a great band.

'Set Phasers To Sun' is a great song to open the album. 'A Decade Under The Influence' and 'This Photograph Is Proof' both went on to become minor hits for the band and help the album to sell the amount of copies it did. 'The Union' is another great song with really good lyrics and some memorable guitar work. 'New American Classic' aside from having a really cool title is a really cool song. It is slow and acoustic. The song serves as a nice center peice or focal point on an album full of angst, emotions, and lots of screaming. The band saved the best for last, '...Slowdance On The Inside' closes the album. It is easily the best song the band ever recorded. It is also the perfect way to end the album. The song features some of the coolest and most creative lyrics ever written. Though very, very emo the song is really great for two dating teenagers. The rest of the songs on the album are all still good songs they just dont do anything to really stand out among the other before mentioned songs. That doesnt mean that they are any worse though.

Taking Back Sunday managed to make one of the most deppressing albums ever depending on you current love and relationship status. Where You Want To Be will go down in as one of the Emo genres best albums when the little fad fades away.

[Not a kid, can't remember my sign-in ;] ]


I first heard Taking Back Sunday 3 or 4 years ago as a kid on yahoo. I saw a link for lindsay lohan first video, and was curious so on I went to yahoo music. I was young, naive; and an avid Avril Lavigne fan and loved Blink 182. After a non descript and non memorable pop video, the film clips kept rolling randomly, whilst undetected, gradually exceeding my download limit. Then what I heard turned my world upside down. That day I heard "Cute without the 'E'", "You are So Last Summer", "A decade under the influence" and "The photograph is proof". Every day for six months I listened to those videos repeatedly, never getting sick of them, never getting bored, never satiating my appetite to hear them. Everyday for six months, until my dad got the internet bill. I had no way to listen to my favourite band, Taking Back Sunday.
Borrowing Where You Want to Be off a friend I was blown away. Having little expectations, or pre conceived ideas from "TAYF" (and 'emo' being non existent) I was just happy to hear it, and nothing could have prepared me for the music. The vocals weave in and out of each other, contrasting, and painting the picture for the confusion and conflict of the lyrics. The 2 different vocals are the clear stand out, and the bands signature; and its always hard to pick a favourite voice or choose the better lyrics being sung. The lyrics were written masterfully, with beautiful words, unexpected prose, enough careful repetition and original rhymes. The dramatic desperation, wistful regret and tongue-in-cheek irony are conveyed perfectly with a touch of vindictive viciousness. I fell in love with the beginning guitar riffs of each song, the breakdowns, and echoing vocals and those suggestive lyrics that are barely just breathed. Each song was fast moving and catchy, easy to sing along to, but better to fall asleep to. The poetic verses and defiant choruses with great hooks.
The first half of the CD is classic TBS, the first two songs are what you expect, but still love and are in the same vein as the two hit singles 'Decade Under the Influence' and 'The Photograph Is Proof'; 'the Union' is original and tends to sound chaotic on the first listen but the second listen you appreciate its violence more; its a stand out great song. 'New American Classic' follows, a sadly sweet acoustic song with a pretty melody; gentle guitar and soaring strings. After this is 'I Am Fred Astaire' a song title I adore for it uniqueness somewhat arrogance. The whole song takes that sort of edge, a bittersweet break-up song with an awesome beat and fun metaphors and anthem style chorus. It is similar to Brand News "Jude Law and a Semester Abroad" in subject matter and performance. (I'm not going to talk about the controversy between these bands) After this song, although it was an early favourite for me starts my preferred half of the CD the later songs. These ones seem to be more romantic than the early ones but in that same dramatic TBS way.
These four songs for me are Taking Back Sundays best, my favourites, their peak. Looking at the previous CD "TAYF" and the following latest CD "Louder Now" it's easy to see that "WYWTB" was the crossover or in the middle of the other two styles, and that they combine "TAYF"'s raw and emotional or now 'emo', romantic and amazingly lyrics with "Louder Now"'s intense guitar oriented rock, leaving a dramatic, bittersweet, violent and tongue-in-cheek punk rock that sounds-for want of a better word;pretty. 'One-eighty by summer' has a great intro and amazing catchy hooks and the vocals bounce of each other. This an awesome and just a bit arrogant punk rock anthem. I love the guitars and it has nice breakdown.
"Number 5 with a Bullet" follows and has a great building up intro into a cleverly written and thoughtful lyrics and a perfect chorus. The contrasting vocals almost seem like one of the arguments or fights that you can relate to (this can happen in a few songs). Another awesome breakdown. "Little Devotional" is an obvious yet clever song about sex that's suprisingly tender but still as catchy and dramatic as ever. Second best song on the CD. I adore its lyrics, and the vengeful and desperate end to this.
The final song on the album is "...Slowdance on the Inside".
This song is just.......perfection. You can tell from the beginning and soft strings intro its going to be amazing. Then the lyrics clearly hit you with 'Passed out in our school clothes.." Adams voice is really beautiful here, and throughout the songs entirety. The songs quite long(4.28;long in comparison on the CD), so it can take its time building up to the choruses. The instruments work in unison and the sound is awesome. The second chorus has the best lyrics, my all-time favourites. They're suggestive yet metaphorical and can be interpreted a few ways. Beautiful, powerful, dramatic it feels like a complete, whole song.
This album is a worthwhile investment, of music that is very easy to listen to whilst still being challenging. Maybe you won't love it as much as I do or as much as there other albums. For me, as great as "Louder Now" is, it was a bit of a disappointment for me, because I was hoping for another 'Number 5 with a Bullet' or a 'Slowdance on the Inside'.
However its good to see the band growing, and I'm looking forward to their next release. On this CD though, hardcore rock fans will like 'Set Phasers to the Sun' 'Bonus Mosh Pt. 2' and 'The Union'. You'll recognise 'Decade Under...' and 'This Photograph..' which are somewhat reminiscent of "TAYF" and if you like those you'll love 'I Am Fred Astaire'. Fans of emo or acoustic will adore 'New American Classic'.If you like a good rock anthem you'll enjoy '180 by Summer'. The best songs are '...Slowdance on the Inside' and 'Little Devotional' and 'Set Phasers..' and my personal favourite (aside from Slowdance) is 'Number 5 with a Bullet'. A worthwhile album that seems to epitomise Taking Back Sunday, defining them. There are no fillers on the album, and the popular singles will be overshadowed. Fans of "TAYF" don't dismiss this, I was lucky to hear this before exploring "TAYF" and falling in love with those songs.
If you love this album you'll enjoy 'Great Romances of the 20th Century' and 'Timberwolves at New Jersey' and 'Head Club'. If you're a fan of "WYWTB" you'll love the download only bonus track 'Brooklyn' from "LN" easily the best song (other than Blue Heaven) on the album.
This album was what won my heart, and on the strength of this album I will always be obsessed with this TBS. Its provided a soundtrack for my life, and across the globe. Classic Taking Back Sunday is "Where You Want To Be" and it is where you'll want to be, and where you'll want TBS to be.