REVIEW: Taking Back Sunday – ‘TAYF10 (Acoustic)’

July 1st, 2013

Matthew Leimkuehler

Artist: Taking Back Sunday
Album: TAYF10 Acoustic
Genre: Rock
Label: Sorry Records

11 years later and Taking Back Sunday are still not standing for hazy eyes. Tell All Your Friends, a record that defines an entire generation of angst-filled boys and girls now grown to men and women, has been released in an entirely new format. Celebrating the highly acclaimed ten year anniversary tour, fans can now enjoy TBS playing every track from Tell All Your Friends stripped down, in front of an intimate (yet very passionate) audience.

This anniversary record is one for the fans. The entire tour and the entire concept of playing the songs that fans have begged for yet have sat shelved for years was to give back. Taking Back Sunday was giving back on this record. The crowd has an emotional connection to the live variations of these songs that come across as breathtaking (see the reprise of “Cute Without The E”). The band also does a stupendous job of letting the crowd take over at parts that may have been unexpected. For example, singer Adam Lazzara stood no chance in overpowering the volume of the audience in “You’re So Last Summer,” even if he wanted. The barrier between band and fan was eliminated and both sang the song beautifully as equals.

Being an acoustic record, different renditions of songs were introduced, giving listeners a new twist on the same old track. “Head Club,” originally a powerful and slow number, is fast and upbeat in certain sections, making the song flirt with Taking Back Sunday’s own taste on folk-rock. There are certain elements, such as the vocal energy between Lazzara and guitarist/singer John Nolan, that can only be captured live. There is an instance during “Timberwolves At New Jersey” where the two partake in a vocal back and forth that sends chills down the spine.

Tell All Your Friends is an iconic record. Hearing songs that helped mold you as a person in a new light can remind you why you fell in love with that record in the first place. This live record has the ability to remind fans why Tell All Your Friends has stood the test of time.

Rating: 9/10

By Matthew Leimkuehler