Taking One For The Team
by Simple Plan
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Feb 19, 2016
User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 29
  3. Negative: 9 out of 29
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  1. Matthewrhodes
    Mar 16, 2022
    6
    I’ve been going back through their discography since they have announced their new album and I have to say this is the weakest one of their 5 official releases. Best songs are Nostalgic, Farewell, and Boom. The rest of these songs are very bland and are just ones you put on if it happens to play in your playlist or something like that. The worst song on this record has to be either Sad orI’ve been going back through their discography since they have announced their new album and I have to say this is the weakest one of their 5 official releases. Best songs are Nostalgic, Farewell, and Boom. The rest of these songs are very bland and are just ones you put on if it happens to play in your playlist or something like that. The worst song on this record has to be either Sad or I Dream About You. These songs were hard to listen to because of how bad they actually are. Other then that this album wasn’t good but it wasn’t completely horrible it’s just very meh.… Expand
  2. arascic
    Feb 17, 2017
    5
    A punk band playing that high school bubblegum pop. Something some punk-heads from your school might play at your prom or whatever. That doesn't mean that it's bad music. There are some nice upbeat tracks on here that won't give you a headache, and that will make a grown man smile. Anyways, as much there are good records there are bad records and they're bad because they're pretty muchA punk band playing that high school bubblegum pop. Something some punk-heads from your school might play at your prom or whatever. That doesn't mean that it's bad music. There are some nice upbeat tracks on here that won't give you a headache, and that will make a grown man smile. Anyways, as much there are good records there are bad records and they're bad because they're pretty much trying to recycle the same sound, the same concept, the same harmony etc. to make a whole album. The problem is there are only so much variations of the same thing, and those end up sounding good, the others - not so good.… Collapse
  3. robben18
    Jun 13, 2016
    10
    it's quite sometimes since i last heard an album which has a quite number of nice songs worth to keep listening. catchy rhythms and easily remember lyrics.
  4. RyFox
    Feb 26, 2016
    5
    To be honest, I still prefer Simple Plan's older work, but this was a good effort. I had to admit that I enjoyed songs like Opinion Overload, Nostalgic, I Don't Wanna Be Sad, and Boom. However, basically every other song, despite it being pop punk, which is a favorite genre of mine, the rest of the genre fell flat onto the ground.
  5. Rowan99100
    Feb 25, 2016
    8
    Yes it is just another simple plan album... this is coming from a 16 year old that does appreciate all types of music (except county..). to me this album is a great pop punk record, the worst song is Perfectly Perfect and I Don't Wanna Go To Bed (granted it has a fun catchy chorus) and those one is pretty **** lyrically. its almost sad. but the rest of the album is a super fun listenYes it is just another simple plan album... this is coming from a 16 year old that does appreciate all types of music (except county..). to me this album is a great pop punk record, the worst song is Perfectly Perfect and I Don't Wanna Go To Bed (granted it has a fun catchy chorus) and those one is pretty **** lyrically. its almost sad. but the rest of the album is a super fun listen through!! catchy choruses, just a good Simple Plan album! I recommend this one! Though there are a few ones to skip... but not many!… Expand
  6. PedroVBuday
    Feb 21, 2016
    9
    I may have not listen enough to pop-punk, but this album is much more enduring than their last. This is my second most favorite pop-punk album next to 5SOS's "Sounds Good Feels Good."
  7. wrognibene
    Feb 20, 2016
    8
    Power chords! Angsty lyrics! Fast drums! The opening song of Simple Plan's new album says "pop-punk is not dead and neither are we." At the beginning of every new song, I couldn't help but smile at the opening guitar riffs. This is pop-punk. If I was wondering if anyone still made the kind of music I listened to in high school, Taking One For The Team is a nice nostalgia trip filled withPower chords! Angsty lyrics! Fast drums! The opening song of Simple Plan's new album says "pop-punk is not dead and neither are we." At the beginning of every new song, I couldn't help but smile at the opening guitar riffs. This is pop-punk. If I was wondering if anyone still made the kind of music I listened to in high school, Taking One For The Team is a nice nostalgia trip filled with refreshing tunes.

    The whole album isn't just bubblegum punk and heartbroken heroes. Simple Plan adds some variety with the reggae vibes on "Singing in the Rain" (feat. R City). "I Don't Wanna Go To Bed" (feat. Nelly) blends a sweet funky pop bass line with the band's classic sound. And there are a couple of jamming punk rock anthems in "I Refuse" and "I Don't Wanna Be Sad."

    The album closes with the hauntingly melodic duet, "I Dream About You." Somehow, these guys are still getting their hearts broken. And you know what? I'm okay with it.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. Kerrang!
    Feb 19, 2016
    60
    Lyrically, [frontman Pierre Bouvier] and his bandmates have barely matured from the whimpering youngsters they were when they made it big 14 years ago.... However, if you accept Taking One For The Team for what it is, which is just another Simple Plan album, then there's lots to enjoy. [20 Feb 2016, p.50]
  2. AllMusic
    Feb 19, 2016
    80
    There's no pretense here: this album is pure, no-frills, feel-good fun, a start-to-finish crowd-pleaser for fans of that classic pop-punk sound.
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  3. Alternative Press
    Feb 19, 2016
    70
    It’s hard to fault them for sticking to that template since it was what helped turn the band into superstars around the world. But as Simple Plan moves outside of their musical comfort zone, it would be great to hear them mess with the formula a little more.
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