WORDS BY: JEANETTE LEBLANC
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 18TH, 2014 via HOPELESS RECORDS
After much anticipation, the time has finally come for Taking Back Sunday’s release of Happiness Is (available here on Itunes). After working on the album for the past 2 years, and having no involvement with any labels- the band hit the studio with producers Marc Jacob Hudson (Saves The Day, The Swellers) and Mike Sapone (Brand New, O’Brother). With the inner workings and influences offered from both of these punk rockers, you know its going to be a good one.
Happiness Is gets right to it with an opening”Preface” that incorporates a series of violins and peaceful cries that seamlessly burst into “Flicker, Fade”. By this point you are sucked right in and feeling the heavy emotions this album has to offer. “Flicker Fade” brings fans back to that true Taking Back Sunday sound the second you hear Adam Lazzara’s notorious pipes.
This is the group’s second release since they brought back the classic lineup of vocalist Adam Lazzara, guitarist/vocalist John Nolan, guitarist Eddie Reyes, bassist Shaun Cooper and drummer Mark O’Connell.
“Stood A Chance” is that upbeat and fun hit that you know will be a crowd-pleaser on their upcoming tour. “It Takes More” slows things down while it shares a story and leaves you feeling inspired, loved and lost at the same time. Lazzara incorporates his blood pumping cries that suck you in and melt your heart.
“We Were Younger Then” is a mysterious and blissful track that incorporates modernized and exciting sounds with the same TBS vibes fans love. The intensity and passion the violins have to offer throughout the album keep you engaged and emotional.
“They Don’t Have Any Friends” takes things back in time. Having stayed true to their sound, the riffin’ and beats have that old school punk rock sound that helped influence their era and allowed fans to fall in love with back in the day.
“Nothing At All” makes a perfect acoustic ending to this real and inspiring album; it takes all of the emotions you experienced during the ride and summarizes them into a mellow and harmonizing vibe that will have you walking away feeling refreshed and like you’ve just embarked on an incredible journey.
Whether Taking Back Sunday is a band you’ve never heard before, or they are a band you grew up listening to; Happiness Is, is ready to impress music lovers of all generations and genres. It’s radio friendly and unique at the same time.
Let’s hope you are one of the lucky one’s who already snagged your tickets to Taking Back Sunday’s SOLD OUT Toronto show with The Used, Tonight Alive and Sleepwave on April 8th at the Kool Haus. This is the only Canadian stop on this North American Tour, stoked!
Happiness Is Tracks:
Preface
Flicker, Fade
Stood A Chance
All The Way
Beat Up Car
It Takes More
They Don’t Have Any Friends
Better Homes And Gardens
Like You Do
We Were Younger Then
Nothing At All
Watch the video for “Stood A Chance“:
Watch the video for “Flicker Fade”:
North American Tour Dates:
3/18 Marquee Theatre Phoenix, AZ – SOLD OUT
3/19 Palladium Los Angeles, CA
3/21 In The Venue Salt Lake City, UT
3/22 In The Venue Salt Lake City, UT
3/23 Knitting Factory Boise, ID
3/25 Warfield San Francisco, CA
3/27 Palladium Los Angeles, CA – SOLD OUT
3/28 House of Blues San Diego, CA – SOLD OUT
3/29 Extreme Thing Las Vegas, NV
3/30 Sunshine Theater * Albuquerque, NM
4/1 Ogden Theatre Denver, CO – SOLD OUT
4/2 Sokol Omaha, NE – SOLD OUT
4/4 Eagles Ballroom Milwaukee, WI
4/5 Concord Music Hall Chicago, IL – SOLD OUT
4/6 Fillmore Detroit, MI – SOLD OUT
4/8 Kool Haus Toronto, ON – SOLD OUT
4/9 The Armory Rochester, NY
4/10 The Chance * Poughkeepsie, NY
4/11 Webster Theatre Hartford, CT – SOLD OUT
4/12 House of Blues Boston, MA – SOLD OUT
4/13 Tower Theatre Philadelphia, PA – SOLD OUT
4/15 Best Buy Theater New York, NY – SOLD OUT
4/16 Best Buy Theater New York, NY – SOLD OUT
4/17 The State Theater * Portland, ME
4/18 Lupos * Providence, RI
4/19 Sands Bethlehem, PA
4/21 Best Buy Theater New York, NY – SOLD OUT
4/22 Fillmore Silver Spring, MD – SOLD OUT
4/24 The Tabernacle Atlanta, GA
4/25 Freebird Live * Jacksonville, FL
4/26 Revolution Ft. Lauderdale, FL – SOLD OUT
4/27 House of Blues Orlando, FL – SOLD OUT
