Straylight Run (album)

Background

Guitarist John Nolan, citing exhausting from touring, left Taking Back Sunday, with bassist Shaun Cooper following shortly after. Taking Back Sunday frontman Adam Lazzara said that he thought Nolan and Cooper were "having trouble because everything was happening so fast. Going from being home [...] to being gone all the time and having your whole life consumed and almost defined by the band that you’re in is a lot to handle." In May 2003, Nolan and Cooper, formed Straylight Run with Nolan's sister Michelle and Breaking Pangaea drummer Will Noon.

The band recorded multiple demo, posting them for free download from their website. These demos helped build hype around the band. In September, the band went on their first tour, a headlining tour across the U.S. with support from Christiansen and JamisonParker. In November, the band toured with The Format. The group supported Coheed and Cambria in December. In January 2004, the band supported Brand New on their tour of the UK. In April, the band signed to Victory Records.

Composition

For their debut album, the band re-recording their earlier demos, as well as incorporating new songs.

Release

On August 25, 2004, Straylight Run's self-titled album was announced for release. It was released on October 12, 2004 by Victory Records. In October and November, the band went on tour with Hot Rod Circuit, Northstar and Say Anything. In January and February 2005, the band toured across the U.S. alongside Something Corporate, Hidden in Plain View, The Academy Is..., and Armor for Sleep. In April and May, the band headlined the Alternative Pres/Vans tour with support from Minus the Bear, Gratitude, The Honorary Title, and Spitalfield. In October and November, the band supported Simple Plan. The band supported Motion City Soundtrack on the mtvU Campus Invasion tour in April 2006. In May, the band toured Australia alongside Matchbook Romance.

Reception

A month after its release, the album had sold 22,000 copies. By September 2006, the album had sold over 200,000 copies.

Track listing

All songs written by Straylight Run.

1. "The Perfect Ending" – 4:53
2. "The Tension and the Terror" – 3:39
3. "Existentialism on Prom Night" – 4:01
4. "Another Word for Desperate" – 5:20
5. "Mistakes We Knew We Were Making" – 3:39
6. "Dignity and Money" – 3:34
7. "Your Name Here (Sunrise Highway)" – 5:06
8. "Tool Sheds and Hot Tubs" – 3:54
9. "It's for the Best" – 4:21
10. "Now It's Done" – 4:44
11. "Sympathy for the Martyr" – 5:51

Personnel