7th grade was when I first heard of Taking Back Sunday. There was this kid in my English class who came to class one day wearing a green TBS shirt, and I of course had to figure out who they were. So, I went home and looked them up and instantly fell in love. This was I think around 2004 or early 2005. I just found my old Xanga that I had in middle school, and in one of my entries I had an old picture of TBS under a favorite bands post. They really helped shape my middle and high school years. I grew up in a very strict, conservative, Christian household, so if my parents had ever found out that I was listening to TBS they would've flipped out, so I had to be very secretive about listening to them. It's not even like their music is bad or ungodly, my parents were just opposed to anything other than contemporary Christian music and the oldies they used to listen to. I remember my dad walking in on me when I was listening to a rock station on the radio once and him going crazy. I used to wake up extra early on school days just so I could watch music videos from my favorite bands on Fuse and MTV (back when they played good music). I always got so excited when a TBS music video would come on. I loved "Cute without the e" "This Photograph is Proof" and really all the music videos MTV and Fuse used to play by them from their first three albums. I remember when "Louder Now" came out, and ever since I got the CD I had it on repeat in my CD player (yes that's right CD player). Their music is just so catchy, and wonderful. It reminds me of my childhood every time I listen to them. Their music is composed of such a wide range of styles and types. There's no one song that sounds the same in my opinion.
I feel ashamed to say this, but I was late to listen to their latest album, their self-titled one that came out last summer. I just always assumed that what they had put out int he past would never be like their old stuff, so I never bothered to give it a chance. That was a horrible decision on my part, because when I finally did take the plunge and listen to the album, I was blown away. A lot of people have been giving them crap about how they've changed and how this is not the true Taking Back Sunday, but I personally think it sounds every bit like something TBS would put out. I love this album so much. It is incredible. Please go listen to this band if you I haven't. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. I cannot tell you how excited I am to be seeing them at Warped this year! I have wanted to see them for the past 7-8 years now and I am finally getting my chance!
I just love listening to music that gives you that nostalgic feeling, don't you?
