Adam Lazzara leaked the demo version of “The Best Places To Be A Mom” last November, and it certainly took most Taking Back Sunday fans by surprise. Newly found energy, soaring guitars, and dual vocals made an appearance, as always, but unbeknownst to satisfied listeners was that the final version of the song would be even better.

While eerily similar to “You Know How I Do” in terms of the opening riff, the song skyrockets into the future, away from the original line-up’s 2002 release, Tell All Your Friends. Mark O’Connell’s drums lead the way through most of the song as Eric Valentine’s production on the song, and hopefully album, remedy New Again’s issue of nearly non-existent drum sounds. As O’Connell sets the pace, Lazzara and Nolan take the spotlight.

Dual vocals were certainly missed on New Again, and even though fans had fallen in love with Fred Mascherino’s vocals on Where You Want To Be and Louder Now, it won’t be too hard for many to wrap their ears around Nolan’s return. The outro features Lazzara and Nolan trading off the lyrics, “Said it all // Say nothing at all // You said it all // Saying nothing at all,” and it certainly packs the punch many Taking Back Sunday fans were waiting for.

****.5/*****