Warner Bros Records artists Taking Back Sunday have begun work on their fifth studio album. The acclaimed New York rock band has reformed, returning to the original line-up from their 2002 debut Tell All Your Friends, which has sold over one million records worldwide, spawned breakthrough anthem "Cute Without the 'E' (Cut from the Team)" and launched the band as one of the most influential of its generation.Vocalist Adam Lazzara, guitarist Eddie Reyes and drummer Mark O'Connell have reunited with vocalist/guitarist John Nolan and bass player Shaun Cooper, who departed in 2003 after the release of Tell All Your Friends. "This crazy idea came up and once we started exploring it and talking on the phone it was almost like all that time hadn't passed between us," explains Lazzara. "Given the history and the years that had passed, I don't think any of us really knew if hanging out again let alone writing and playing together would actually work. For it to feel so comfortable and effortless so quickly made us realize that we had to give it a chance."
Nolan describes his thoughts in a similar way. "I never would have imagined that this group of people reuniting would be possible. Since we parted ways we all went down very different paths and somehow everything we've experienced individually over the past seven years has brought us back to a point of genuine appreciation and love for each other as people and musicians. There's a shared excitement and enthusiasm within this group that I haven't experienced since the early days of the band."
Of the departure of bassist Matt Rubano and guitarist/vocalist Matt Fazzi, a statement from Taking Back Sunday's website sums it up; "Sometimes it takes some time to remember where you were headed in the first place and the people you intended to go there with. There are no hard feelings, just the future." Drummer O'Connell expressed that the band has nothing but kind words for the departing members. "I wish nothing but the best for Matt and Matt in the future. I know that they will succeed in whatever they choose to do."
Taking Back Sunday will be recording their fifth studio album in Los Angeles this summer with producer Eric Valentine, who worked on their previous album Louder Now. Plans are in the works for a handful of exclusive preview shows in the near future and extensive touring as soon as the album is finished. "I'm so glad this is happening," says Reyes, "because I can already hear something in the songs that reminds me of why all of us were so passionate about this band to begin with."
Just the future indeed.
