Customer Reviews

Tell All Your Friends

5 star:		(263)
4 star:		(54)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(23)

 

 

As another reviewer said, this is a masterpiece. This is surely the most satisfying album since Weezer's 'Blue Album' in 1994, and, like the Blue Album, I've played this CD over and over (seemingly ad infinitum) and am still not tired of it. Taking Back Sunday took the emo-punk stylings that had been developing (with bands like Thursday and At the Drive-In) and perfected it. Ever since this album, emo has dominated the rock scene (with many bands imitating Taking Back Sunday and Thursday) in much the same way that Nirvana and Pearl Jam led the grunge revolution in the early '90's. The dual vocals, twin-attack guitars, stop-break rhythms, occasional screams, and, of course, emotional lyrics and singing are the signature features of this style of rock. Either you like it or hate it (so it seems). If you don't like it, surely you have better things to do than going around and bashing emo bands on Amazon (and typically promoting death metal bands).

A side note: For those who don't know, this is TBS's first (and best) album and features the original TBS line-up. A couple members (due to creative differences) left the band and have created another band, Straylight Run, who have a softer, piano-based style. Straylight Run is also an incredible band.

alright, they're are a lot of reviews for this cd that have me scratching my head. the first thing is tbs doesn't sound nearly as much like thursday as everyone makes them out to. sure there are some similarities, but nothing to make a big fuss over. I think this review from pastepunk.com sums up the cd very well...

"...THURSDAY and TAKING BACK SUNDAY represent many of the same qualities as that band, but wholly in their own terms....music this original has never sounded so good. TAKING BACK SUNDAY are melodic but biting; the music is bouncy, but insanely gripping; the lyrics are personal and edgy; and most importantly, the music is undeniably deluged in a trench of tension...these guys want to play until they drop. How often does a band put out a release where every song is a standout track? (There's 10 songs, 33 minutes of music). Constant dual vocals (one of which sounds very similar to the singer of BRAND NEW) give these guys a consistently frenetic sound, and the back and forth tradeoffs add a nice amount of heft...Music this melodic shouldn't sound so dark but that's what makes it so darn attractive...I'm honestly out of glowing praise to give - these guys have decimated all of my prior preconceptions of how to categorize bands. Don't let anyone fool you though given how melodic the songs are - this band hits hard and pushes the envelope in energy and songwriting skills. "Tell All Your Friends" is undoubtedly going to be one of the best releases of 2002."

enough said

I was very impressed when I heard this CD in a friend's car, so I went out and bought it!

I was not disappointed in the least.

This really does satisfy my punk/emo needs. Full of emotion, young adult problems, they really do make it bleed realistically.

Favorite tracks, "Cute without the "E"!

*grins*

Go out and buy some good music, but I can't guarantee you'll like it, because this stuff IS a bit different. Loud, and a bit confusing. But emotional and at times, eye opening.

A favorite lyric from this album "...and you can slit my throat, and with my last gasping breath, I'll apologize for bleeding on your shirt."

Stuff like that is just like...WOW.....

Taking Back Sunday are often compared to their label-mates Thursday, and I can see the similarities between the bands. But just because they are both on Victory Records, have the same producer, and play a similar style of music, does NOT mean they sound all that much alike. Too often bands get labeled and bunched together when they really shouldn't ought to. The lyrics and the way they convey them is really quite different. So don't expect to hear a carbon copy of Thursday when listening to TBS, because that's not what you'll get. But anyways, onto the review of the cd. The first thing you'll notice when you pop this album into your stereo is the unique quality of the two singers. They blend very well together and create an awesome layered effect when both singing at the same time. Aside from a few weak tracks, this is nearly a perfect cd. The lyrics are farily straight forward, and definitely represent the "wear your heart on your sleeve" aspect of most 'emo' music. The stand-out tracks in my opinion are "Cute Without the 'E'", "Great Romances of the 20th Century, "Bike Scene", and "You're So Last Summer". The closing track "Head Club" was a disappointment to me, and I was hoping for a much better track to finish the album. Aside from that though, I really enjoyed Tell All Your Friends. I'm sure most fans of this genre have already heard of and listen to Taking Back Sunday, but in case you haven't then you definitely should check them out.

these guys seem to be one of those "you'll absolutely love them" or "you'll absolutely hate them" bands. when i first heard taking back sunday, i fell into the latter category. i thought they were just basically saves the day part 2 (back when saves the day were still good). the whole nu-screamo (tbs, finch, the used, thursday, every "emo" band on victory nowadays) thing hadn't really started taking off yet, and i liked thursday, so the overall sound isn't what initially turned me off to them. it was the fact that i thought that they were extremely derivative and sounded like just about everybody else. i still feel that way. however, taking back sunday and i have had quite the love/hate relationship over the past year, since i got a burnt copy of "tell all your friends". the first thing i noticed was how amazing of a song "cute without the e" is. right there is perhaps the perfect example of the perfect pop song. not brainless, but simple and catchy enough to have mass appeal. there's a few other songs on this album that i genuinely thing stand out. "there's no i in team," "you're so last summer" and "great romances of the 20th century". otherwise, this album is frustratingly narrow-sighted. i imagine that, with 2 new band members, tbs will most likely go the route of bands such as saves the day and brand new, changing their sound by next album, and that's probably a very good idea. just a whole 10 songs of this is kind of overkill, not to mention the whole new generation of clone bands that have followed. it's not that taking back sunday don't have loads of potential, or that they are bad, they're just not quite as removed from their pop-punk roots as most of their fans would like to think. this isn't screamo, kids. it's not bad, but it's not screamo.

This album is simply amazing. The musicianship is nothing special, but lyricly, this album blows SOOOOO many emo albums out of the water. The dual trade-off vocals between singer Adam Lazzara and guitarist John Nolan work in such an amazing way, I can't even describe it. I'll review the album by track, on a scale of 1-5.

You Know How I Do- Amazing way to kick off the album. The "we won't stand for hazy eyes anymore" line will lull you into the song like no other. 5/5

Bike Scene- Another great track. John's sister Michelle adds some vocals into the track and they are very beautiful nonetheless. 4/5

Cute Without The 'E' (Cut From The Team)- More fast paced then the first two tracks. Awesome lyrics, and has an awesome breakdown like ending. 5/5

There's No 'I' In Team- Song that has to do with the conflict between guitarist John and Jesse from Brand New. Good lyrics, but I don't like the pace of the song too much. 3/5

Great Romances Of The 20th Century- One beautiful song. The keyboard in the beginning along with the guitar set a great tone for the song. 5/5

Ghost Man On Third- Slowest paced song on the album, however, the lyrics are amazing, and the progressive emotional build-up over the course of the song is super good. 4/5

Timberwolves At New Jersey- Awesome fast paced song with an amazing ending. 5/5

The Blue Channel- Good song. Good pace, and an awesome piano intro. 3/5

You're So Last Summer- My personal favorite song on the album. I just love the lyrics. 5/5

Head Club- The only song on the album I really dislike. For some reason it just doesn't fit in with the rest of the album. 2/5

If you like Thursday, Fairweather, or Saves The Day, then I'm sure you'll love this album. Highly recommended.

i bought this CD because of the great word of mouth that accompanied this CD's arrival at stores (mainly because they share a record label with Thursday)... and for the most part all the rumors were true. Taking Back Sunday have created a very solid album, with complex guitar riffs layered with two and sometimes three vocal parts. the songs are catchy, and the vocal hooks get caught in your head, especially from the first song ('you know how i do') - "so sick (so sick) of being tired, and oh so tired of being sick." simple, but effective and that is what emo is all about.

there are a couple downfalls to this album... first off, TBS are nothing new. they sound just like any other emo band, especially if you are familiar with bands like hot rod circuit, juliana theory, and further seems forever. but, since they are a typical emo band, and you are a fan of emo (like myself), then this album deserves a place in your CD case.

second downfall: lyrix. i am an english student and a writer, so i am overly picky when it comes to lyrix, and i have found many emo fans to be the same, so if you are expecting an album full of beautifully arranged words... buy thursday's 'full collapse' or a dashboard confessional album - geoff rickley and chris carabba have a skill for writing beautifully painful lyrics, and TBS come no where close to their realm of talent.

despite the lack of originality and the simple lyrix, this album is very good. the songs are not bland and easy to rock out to - and some of the climaxes in the songs are amazing, seriously provoking and inspiring, especially the ends of 'there is no "i" in team' and 'ghost man on third'. also, we need more bands like TBS who are skilled musicians and can arrange songs well, i am sick and tired of the hollow, empty, uninspired [junk] on the radio... and if you feel the same, then buy this album, it is everything you could want from an emo band.

download a couple songs before you buy this CD so you know what you are getting yourself into: 'great romances of the 20th century', 'cute without the "e" (cut from the team)' and 'there is no "i" in team'.

this album has it's faults, but it has a lot going for it... and most of all it isn't bland and it is complex, layered and inspiring, everything the songs on the local rock radio station aren't.

At the beginig I didn't really like emo, rejecting it so I could listen to my "Ultimate sin" cd by Ozzy, but when i heard Great Romances I was blown away. To me that song is the best in the CD, its just so catchy. The Hole cd is extraordinary I quikly fell in love with the rest of it, It is a must have If you like this genre or if you jut liek punk, the melodies in this cd kik a$$. Exelent 10 out of 10 for every single song

I will go over the album for you and rate each song between 1/100

1. You Know How I Do ~ 92% ~ Incredible Song to open the album
and a great preview of the rest of the album.

2. Bike Scene ~ 74% ~ A good song, but I never really caught
onto it.

3. Cute Without the "E" ~ 96%~ Perhaps the best song on the
album.

4. There's No I in Team ~ 92% ~ A great song, with incredible
lyrics, which are directed towards Brand New's leading singer.

5. Great Romances of the 21st Century ~ 88% ~ Great song, with a
pretty good chorus.

6. Ghost Man on Third ~ 97% ~ Another possible best song from
this album, has an incredible chorus and an amazing rhythm.

7. Timberwolves At New Jersey ~ 95% ~ Very good song, with a
great chorus.

8. The Blue Channel ~ 89% ~ A great song, with an original
beginning.

9. You're So Last Summer ~ 95% ~ Amazing song, that is a great
example of the rest of the songs on the album with a great
chorus and catchy rhythms.

10. Head Club ~ 89% ~ The beginning guitar work is kind of
questionable as a follow up to the last song, but it gets
better.... a LOT better.

I've been a Taking Back Sunday fan now for years and after purchasing the recent "Louder Now" release, I thought it only right to write an review for the CD that started it all before reviewing the new release.

I continually hear the same arguement about TBS... "Its not as good as 'Tell All Your Friends'." This is a true statement, the band set the bar so high with this release that its doubtfull it will ever be duplicated. The originality of this release, coupled the exemplorary duel vocals of Adam Lazzara and John Nolan, remarkable lyrics and pounding guitars make this album one of the greatest the genre has ever seen.

I cant call this record perfect though, there are tracks on it that are simply bad. When I'm listening in my car tracks 1, 2 and 10 are always skipped and have been deleted from my Ipod. With the said though, tracks 3 through 9 are some of the most amazing pieces of music to ever be written and recorded... each bringing with it their own angst and emotion that make those who listen so enthraled by the band.

One of the great tragadies in modern music is that the original lineup could not remain intact. Adam and John fed off each other musically and creatively, one can only imagine the magic they could have created together. Oh well, as the saying goes "To all good things, an end..."

Here are my ratings, 1 is the lowest, 10 is the highest.

1. You Know How I Do (5 - 10): Like I said before, all the tracks are not great in my opinion. This, the next and last tracks I simply cannot get into. Its been so long since I listened to them that I wont even review.

2. Bike Scene (5 - 10): See review for track 1

3. Cute Without The 'E' (10 - 10): Probably my favorite track on the CD and that the band has ever written, the opening lyrics of "Your lipstick, his colar, don't bother angel I know exactly what goes on", followed by thumping guitars immediatly grab your attention and won't let go. This is what makes TBS great, duel sings combined with pounding guitars, they simply do it better then anyone else in the business. Extremely catchy chorus mixed with hypnotic instrumentals and remarkable lyrics... a modern day classic.

4. There's No 'I' In Team (9.5 - 10): John Nolan's best written song (and that includes his songs with Straylight Run). "Did I ever tell you everything I know about breaking hears I learned from you?" Its a pleading song of heartbreak that instead of being lovey, romantic and slow instead is bruising and in your face, basically as insulting as you can be to an ex. Again both singers are featured and perfectly so, both complamenting each other perfectly, espicaly with the two going back and forth at the conclusions "Best friends means I pulled the trigger... best friends means you get what you deserve."

5. Great Romances Of The 20th Century (9.5 - 10): Really the only true ballad on the CD. Perfectly crafted slow song that is perfectly placed following two consecutive songs that are ready to make your ears bleed from their intensity. Lazzara takes the reigns on this tracks, his pleading/rhaspy voice perfectly fit for the love long song. The songs final plea of "She says come on, come on, lets just get this over with" hits you every time.

6. Ghost Man On Third (9.5 - 10): I love the slow start to this one. Not a ballad lyrically, however produced in a similar mode. The guitar slowly builds with Lazzara simple speaking of a past gone wrong. Guitars and Nolan pick up the pace with the chorus, hightled by Lazzara's screams midway through. Beautifully crafted, perfect fitting following "Great Romances...", the femals lyrics near the end are excellent.

7. Timberwolves At New Jersey (10 - 10): What a remarkable song. Nothing sweet and cute here, simply a grab you by the throat rock anthem. Pounding guitars, screaming lyrics, perfect drum line and a addictive chorus make this the second best track on the CD. Probably the best part of TBS's career occurs on this track for the final 40 seconds or so are remarkable. First Nolan's screaming lyrics of "This is me with the words on the tip of my tongue and my heart down the scope on the barrel of a gun. You'll never love this way again!" is amazing, the best screaming I have ever heard PERIOD, followed by Lazzara's pelting finish make this a perfect trap. Nothing sad or cute on this one, your going to want to get up and hit something, I promise.

8. The Blue Channel (9.5 - 10): I love the piano solo to open this song, actually calms you down after the relentless assult you just faced on the previous track. Picks up immediatly afterwards, another fast paced beauty on the album. The two singers go back and forth with each other basically throughout the entire track. The chorus conclusions of "Don't worry sweetie cause I already know" are great. Some exceptional screaming by Lazzara in this one, perfectly placed in the song. Its amazing how both singers are able to go to such extremes with their voices on each track, one second screaming at the top of their lungs, the next hitting perfect harmonic notes.

9. Your So Last Summer (8.5 - 10): Similar to "Timberwolves" in pacing, but lacking with the guitars. Fast paced song that slows down at parts. The lyric of "You could slit my throat and with my one last gasping breath I'd apologize for bleeding on your shirt" is one of my favorites in all music. Again the singers go back and forth perfectly, although I would have liked to see Nolan get a couple screams in there like he does on most other tracks to make this one like its predecesors.

10. Head Club (5 - 10): See review for tracks 1 and 2).

Look there are three tracks on this CD you can skip each and every time, yet the pieces of work in between those tracks are probably the best the emo genre has ever seen. There is something for everyone in there, from romantic ballads to screaming infidelities (little tribute to my favorite band, Dashboard Confessional there), broken hearts, revenge needed exs, whatever... Fact of the matter is they are simply put incredible. For anyone that considers themselves a fan of emo music, this CD is a must own for the collection and should be placed at or near the top. For those just getting into the scene, also a must have for no other reason then to see just what the best is.