Jacksonville, Florida's own Yellowcard are back with their brand new studio album, When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes. The follow up to 2007's dismal Paper Walls finds the pop-punkers returning to their roots after a failed foray into a darker, more abrasive sound that permeated their last two studio albums that didn't truly represent the band as a whole. This effort aims to get Yellowcard right back where they belong, and back to their sound they crafted on their classic 2003 album, Ocean Avenue.
The disc opens up with "The Sound of You and Me" a loud, steady rocker that shows off lead singer Ryan Key's simple and melodic vocals rapturing the audience amongst the high pitched guitars that are around at every turn. My favorite track off the disc is the roaring first single "For You, and Your Denial", which starts off with a nifty violin solo courtesy of Sean Mackin and an intense, melodic guitar pattern to accompany it that is classic Yellowcard from start to finish and is closer to their older material that most fans will instantly recognize upon hearing it. "With You Around" is a darker, edgier tune that still retains the simplicity of the prior tracks with Ryan's vocals powering the song at a reasonable level. "Hang You Up" brings the energy down considerably with a downtempo, reflective number that shows a different side of the band with toned down guitar riffs and Sean's impeccable violin skills heard in the background, adding a distinct emotional element to the song that really connects with the listener.
The disc's second half starts off with "Hide", a semi-melodic, pop-punk blast that generally hits the mark on a creative scale, but is not necessarily one to remember greatly from the album. "Soundtrack" percolates the energy a bit with a high-energy, pop-punk blast that lets all the band members display their talents equally, including their fantastic drummer Longineu Parsons who adds a unique playing style that quite simply can't be duplicated anywhere else. The disc's final two tracks "See Me Smiling", a rapturing, richly melodic tune that features intricate violin interludes that are Yellowcard's trademark and closely identify the band with authenticity and style. "Be the Young" closes out the album with a mid-tempo, reflective rocker that pieces together all the musical elements we've heard so far in one song, with deep guitar riffs, elegant violin solos, and a crisp, steady drum pace to show Yellowcard fans both old and new that they have returned to their roots and are ready to retake their throne. It's a commonplace for a group to abandon their sound that got them noticed in exchange for a broader, more challenging sound that could alienate long standing members of their fanbase. It's all part of taking a creative risk to see where it will take a group, and sometimes inevitably can lead to their downfall. That's what almost happened to Yellowcard, and took a brief hiatus following the release of the failed Paper Walls in 2007, realizing they needed some time apart and come back when the time is right. Now, Yellowcard have rediscovered their sound and most importantly, have rediscovered themselves as musicians.
In retrospect, a solid return to form effort from Yellowcard who have returned to retake their place among the pop-punk crowd and reunite with the sound that they prominently displayed on Ocean Avenue, and countless listeners in the process. This effort is a call to all of their fans that the band is back and ready to capture their undying attention all over again.
Album Score: 3.5/5
Track Listing:
- The Sound of You and Me
- For You, and Your Denial
- With You Around
- Hang You Up
- Life of Living Home
- Hide
- Soundtrack
- Sing For Me
- See Me Smiling
- Be The Young
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