Long island natives Taking Back Sunday are no strangers to drama and line up changes (they have six former members in their 10 years as a band). So why should their latest release New Again be subject to anything different?

With the departure of lead guitarist Fred Mascherino, now of the Color Fred, Taking Back Sunday fans were left worried if the album would live up to the high level of 2002’s Tell All Your Friends. But those those fears can be put to rest because Mascherino’s axe-replacement Matt Fazzi keeps things exciting.

Although New Again is in some ways radically different from previous Taking Back Sunday efforts, the one song that recalls their more popular older material is “Sink Into Me.” It’s catchy with oral lust as lead vocalist Adam Lazzara sings to an apparent lady friend, “have your way with me” over a gang of backup vocals and smooth guitar riffs.

Although it is missing the band’s trademark dual vocals, Lazzara’s voice is as dynamic as ever. “Catholic Knees,” features Lazzara mustering up some trademark squeals and screams.

The track “Capital M-E” almost surely takes a stab at the falling out between the band and Mascherino. However, the track isn’t one of New Again’s strongest and probably should have been saved as a b-side with weak lyrics such as, “The nicest man I ever met/ Was more malicious than malcontent/ He taught me how to hold my tongue/ And wait to strike until their backs were turned.”

Though drama seems to be New Again’s prominent theme, Taking Back Sunday fans will be pleased that the album succeeds at creating catchy pop-alternative rock minus a couple mishaps.