New Again

Remember when American rock bands wanted to be more than just pin-ups for hormonal teenage girls? This writer certainly does. Listening to Taking Back Sunday it makes me feel slightly queasy inside when singer Adam Lazzara croons “Have your way with me” on ‘Sink Into Me’. While we’re sure the band are having a blast churning out My Chemical Romance-laced songs for mid-America, the polished sheen of ‘Summer, Man’ and ‘Catholic Knees’ is a bit cringe-worthy. Still, the title-track is a genuine hook-laden behemoth and ‘Lonely, Lonely’ is a fantasic pop tune so there’s still some hope for the natives of Amityville. The emo ship may be sinking, but at least Taking Back Sunday have remembered their life jackets.