Released 10 years ago
Tidal Wave
Taking Back Sunday · 2016
60 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock
An energetic blend of emo and pop-punk, propelled by catchy hooks and introspective lyrics that resonate deeply with listeners.
Top tracks — play these first
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Death Wolf Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Tidal Wave — The title track exemplifies the album's blending of upbeat melodies with reflective lyrics about personal struggle and resilience.
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I Felt It Too — This track stands out with its emotional vulnerability, encapsulating the essence of connection and longing that permeates the album.
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Holy Water — With its anthemic chorus and introspective verses, this song captures the band's ability to balance energy with deeper themes of redemption and self-reflection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks a strong cohesive flow throughout its length.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied dynamics and tempo shifts.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in the choruses.
- The acoustic versions of 'Tidal Wave' and 'Holy Water' at the end provide a contrast to the electric sound of the main tracks, offering a different emotional perspective.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with dynamic shifts
- nostalgic anthems for reflection
- urgent melodies for emotional release
- introspective moments with cathartic peaks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid lengthy acoustic interludes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Tidal Wave shows a deliberate shift in sound, exploring new musical territory for the band.
- Career context
- Released in 2016, Tidal Wave marked Taking Back Sunday's seventh studio album, following their 2014 release Happiness Is. At this stage in their career, the band had undergone significant lineup changes yet retained a dedicated fanbase, showcasing their adaptability within the evolving alternative rock scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Brand New· The Used· Dashboard Confessional
Tracklist
- 1 Death Wolf Start here 4:12
- 2 Tidal Wave 2:32
- 3 You Can’t Look Back 4:27
- 4 Fences 3:37
- 5 All Excess 3:35
- 6 I Felt It Too 5:22
- 7 Call Come Running 3:12
- 8 Holy Water 4:19
- 9 In the Middle of It All 3:12
- 10 We Don’t Go in There 4:01
- 11 Homecoming 4:01
- 12 I’ll Find a Way to Make It What You Want 5:20
- 13 Tidal Wave (acoustic) 2:59
- 14 Holy Water (acoustic) 9:34
What to play next
Twenty
2019
Continues the energetic blend while introducing fresh elements and themes.
Happiness Is
2014
Sets the stage with similar introspective lyrics and catchy melodies.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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