First time I heard Yellowcard was on the game Burnout 3 and I'm so glad I found them! They've changed my life and always give you such an uplifting feel! They have produced so many amazing albums, but if I was to choose one that started it all it has to be this one! Obtaining a platinum sale and reaching huge commercial success within the states and having such a thunderous rock sound. Still around today, the band are still touring, producing studio albums and have been around since 1997. From Jacksonville, Florida is where the five piece band began their journey.
After meeting in high school they discovered their name through parties and having a a rule that if you spilt a drink or doing something stupid you will receive a yellow card. The unique side of the band is featuring a violin and it incredibly works in the way they produce their music! Starting out as hardcore punk band, which obviously paid of with the experience they gained. They swiftly changed to more of a pop punk but still having this raw rock sound within them, which introduced a new wider fan base to them! The bass player Peter Mosely left the band with other intentions on projects such as Inspection 12 and didn't know what was yet to come when the band hit a mainstream explosion. He was quickly reinstated as bass player after he saw the success the band had peaked. Thus getting rid of Alex Lewis whose sister did contribute on the vocals of "View From Heaven".
Fourth studio album released in 2003. Hoping to make a name for themselves in the Southern California scene. The artwork of a girl with the sun piercing behind her as she poses. Relating to the song of Ocean Avenue.
10th Year Anniversary!
Recently the band have rediscovered the album by producing all acoustic tracks of the album and they still made it awesome on this 10th year anniversary. I don't know if all the acoustic stuff left drummer (LP) in the dark in not being used as heavily and this probably led to his departure of the band.
Track Listing:
Track 1 - Way Away
Catchy hard song to start the album. The lyrics and vocals on this album has dramatically changed from what was on previous studio albums! Ryan Key the singer is more outspoken and sings about the destiny he is now in control of and this inspired from dropping out of college and pursuing his dreams as a songwriter. Ryan Key is probably my favourite singer and performer out their today. The lyrics and heart he puts into his songs is powerful and he really delivers this warm feel for us. The lyrics are so easily relatable and you really can apply them to your own life and struggles you maybe dealing with.
Track 2 - Breathing
Appearing on Burnout 3! This song is just catchy as you can get!
"And I can hear you breathing!! And it's keeping me awake!"
Fast guitar and pounding drumming that create such an epic song! It was about the breakup with Ryan Keys girlfriend and knowing it was the right thing to do but not knowing for sure why. He knew it was a good decision but struggled to understand it.
Track 3 - Ocean Avenue
The song that got them noticed and gained loads of popularity. Ocean Avenue is describing the place where they originated from and instead of talking about a girl, they described a place. Such a ground breaking tune! You know what, the song speaks louder than words that I can so check it out with the link below. This was also Alex Lewis last appearance in a Yelllowcard music video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9fLbfzCqWw
Track 4 - Empty Apartment
This song was about a band member leaving because of personal reasons. The song is emotional for the group and this song shows the acceptance of his decision. (Warren or Pete?) The song is very slow and sad, everyone can easily relate to the lyrics into their own personal afflictions. Such a powerful song that calms down the album and gets you closer to Ryan Key.
Track 5 - Life Of A Salesman
Awesome weird riff to start the song, that brings out Ryans repetitive lyrics based on a play called Death Of A Salesman. A son who is always trying to impress his father and be like him. The song is so in your face with the energy within it and fails to ease throughout. The consistency is groundbreaking and the structure within the song keeps me listening. All these songs are too catchy for me and I'm easily drawn to this band.
Track 6 - Only One
Same theme as Breathing, it was about Ryan making a decision to leave his girlfriend. Knowing it was the right thing to do. This song has a lot of meaning within it and the melody within the song is breathtaking and it is vocally sang beautifully to instantly get you connected.
"There's just no one who gets me like you do, you are my only one"
Track 7 - Miles Apart
The way they let LP have a free roll in drums with just smashing it gives another great feel to the band. He introduces his own introduction solo on the drums to start the song. The band easily connects well within in their music and they all have free roles to express themselves on their instruments being as noticed as possible with iconic riffs and patterns structuring awesome songs. The song can mean anything to you that you've recently lost or moved away from. Easily relatable songs makes Yellowcard so successful and endearing. Whether this is about back home in Florida for Ryan Key or his ex girlfriend. It's another powerful song with catchy lyrics.
"I'll keep you deep inside, your always in my heart."
Track 8 - Twentythree
Awesome lyrics within this song on his anger with a girl that he recently left and displaying her immaturity, even though she probably has her reasons too be angry at him. Another thunderous song from the band and keeps it's consistency throughout. I really try to do LP's drum solo in the bridge it's just so EPIC!! The technique he applies is just so fast and so in beat with the tapping on the side of the drum kit. I'd love to learn or witness him do it!
Track 9 - View From Heaven
If you had a song to cry at. I would happily pick this one. Song meaning is from a band member that was sadly killed in a car accident. Scott Shad drummer of Inspection 12 was dedicated to his memory. The song has just pure emotional quality to it, the violin in their music makes it so moving with the tempo of the song and is perfect essential to slow rock song along with a hard one.
Track 10 - Inside Out
Not heavy but not slow. Just the perfect mix for a good song that contains a lot of dynamic changes. You could say it's quite different from the rest of the songs. Jealousy within the lyrics that Ryan must of had over his ex-girlfriend having something special then losing it. You may find lyrics relating to your lover quite original but Ryan takes it to another level and the melodies he creates with the lyrics makes it that extra powerful.
Track 11 - Believe
A song that can really uplift your mood with the lyrics and the sound. The song is that of 9/11 in New York. Which is a fragile subject to be talking about, Yellowcard totally nail with the emotion that is heavily involved within the subject. It is spoken from the point of view from a fireman, but not knowing he's going to be coming down alive. Although a sad song, it has a sense of heroic deed within a failed cause. The song can bring a positive energy around you but a sense of sadness, knowing that it all ends up bad and the person leading to his death is yet to know their fate. He just keeps going and reassuring people that it's going to be okay.
Believe it or not the violinist Sean Mackin was in one of the buildings at the time of 9/11. He remembers being reassured by firefighters and finding out later that day those same firefighters died trying to save lives in the building. Such inspirational lyrics within this song and memorable energy and emotion within. Strong fast violin intro that opens up the song and telling us how valuable our lives are and taking every chance you get and making a difference. "Make Your Sacrifice Worthwile"
Great song for staying strong and getting through hard times you maybe personally going through!
Track 12 - One Year, Six Months
Slow acoustic song that has such a nice flow to it. Reminiscing about past relationships and how good it used to be and how life has dramatically changed since. Easily relatable if you've just been through a breakup or a personal love situation.
Track 13 - Back Home
Great acoustic song! Although admiring where they are, the band are still remembering their roots and talking about how great their lives our in California.
"Another sunny day in Californ-I-A, sure back home they'd love to see it"
Live Performances!
I've seen Yellowcard 3 times on tour after their two year hiatus. Even went to a show where they supported All Time Low in London. I was really unimpressed by who they had to support because they're so much better than that. Because they were on their label they had to be put with them and assuming because they're good friends from that All Time Low band. UK Headline tour was yet to come and I had to be patient for a year for this to arrive, getting a better longer set from this awesome band! I went to their signing in Coventry and got all their signatures on all the merchandise of Yellowcard that I own! Probably the only time I've been utterly starstruck around a idol of mine and a band that has helped me get through dark times.
I rate this Album 10/10 on just pure consistency throughout!
If you've never listened to Yellowcard. Please do! Because they're such an inspiring band that can really uplift your mood. The lyrics have got more powerful throughout the studio albums that they've done. An incredible unique band that we still have gracefully on this earth!
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