Yellowcard When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes Acoustic |
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 | Tracklist:
1.The Sound of You and Me
2.For You, and Your Denial
3.With You Around
4.Hang You Up
5.Life of Leaving Home
6.Hide
7.Soundtrack
8.Sing for Me
9.See Me Smiling
10.Be the Young
Release Date: 10/24/2011 | |
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| Summary: A pleasant retread of one of 2011’s best pop-punk albums. |
I have always found acoustic renditions of albums to be polarizing. In many ways, hearing your favorite song stripped down to its core can be immensely satisfying. On the other hand, it can ruin the relationship that you currently have with that track, obliterating your fond associations and leaving you desiring the original. Then on top of that, you have to consider whether or not it is worth purchasing what is essentially the same album twice. So when I saw that Yellowcard released a track-for-track acoustic variation of When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes, I had my share of doubts. And while not all of my reservations have been put at ease, I can still safely say that this is a worthy component to stand alongside 2011’s pop-punk album of the year.
With When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes’ acoustic version, we get all ten songs from the original record, reworked and re-recorded to sound even more intimate. Like with any acoustic song, the vocals play a more prominent role in the mix, and here Ryan Key proves that he can handle the challenge. Songs that already had a down tempo acoustic feel, such as ‘Hang You Up’, are given an extra burst by Key’s spot-on vocals and ever-present poignancy. The faster tracks, however, are really where you will earn the most bang for your buck: ‘The Sound of You and Me’, ‘With You Around’, and ‘Soundtrack’ present us with the most innovative takes on the originals, and unlike some of the songs on this record, they vary the chords, beat, and tempo to create something completely unique. Another big plus here is how the lyrics are given an opportunity to shine. Obviously nothing has changed, but the atmosphere of the standard album doesn’t offer listeners the same emotional proximity that this does. With a simpler, slower sound comes more easily decipherable lines, and that makes this acoustic album the way to go for listeners who want something easy to relate to.
The drawbacks here are pretty straightforward, and they aren’t out of the ordinary when you consider the inherent weaknesses of any strictly acoustic album. For one, songs that were already performed acoustically, like ‘Sing For Me’, fail to bring anything new to the table. It is extremely difficult to rework a song by recording it in a nearly identical fashion, and although Yellowcard puts forth a valiant effort, they don’t come anywhere close to creating a worthwhile component to the original. Another thing that will disappoint some fans is how the acoustic strums and picking tend to be pretty uniform throughout. Even though they sound as crisp as ever, they seem to march along right on schedule without taking much time to alter the song. And that may be okay, because attempting to deviate too much can yield disastrous and unrecognizable results. But it would have been nice to see Yellowcard mix things up a little more than they did, even if it was just for the sake of creating a sense of novelty to distinguish this album from the other acoustic remakes out there.
That isn’t to say that this is just another acoustic album though, because it is definitely so much more. If nothing else, the quality of the songwriting puts this on a higher level than the majority of Yellowcard’s peers. Then, once you factor in the transparent chemistry between band members and the amazing production they get from Neal Avron, you have yourself a thoroughly enjoyable and pleasantly relaxing acoustic album. So put this record on and kick back, and when you’re through listening…listen again!
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 3.5
recommended to anyone who like yellowcard, obviously, and also to anyone who likes a nice collection of acoustic pop-punk songs
Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories | | |
for a better version of this album, see:
exhibit A: http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/44526/Alkaline-Trio-Damnesia/
exhibit B: http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/33629/Bayside-Acoustic/
Digging: Marina and The Diamonds - Electra Heart
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cmon acad its pretty good
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oh wait i thought it was the regular version not acoustic fuck that lol
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both of those acoustic albums are so great
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the summary is all kinds of wrong sowing
Digging: Grimes - Visions Digging: Grimes - Visions
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
summary is all kinds of wrong
why?
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should read:
A retread of one of 2011’s pop-punk albums.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
lol
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if we still had images, id put an image of a smiley or something friendly
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there is so much more actual quality pop punk thats come out this year
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
in your humble fact. i mean opinion, my bad
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hey don't get sassy or i'll violin backflip on you like something out of tekken
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
i'd love to see that
but i don't think it will look as cool if you are a pasty white 14 year old in your mom's basement
just speculating though, you might be the coolest mo'fo in the world
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I think you may have me mixed up with a taylor swift fan but all is forgiven ; )
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King could probably pull off the violin backflip
try BACKWARDS+square
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that's who I had in mind for pulling off such a move
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
What's with the bad Sowing?
What?
Decent review but the perspective change from first to third person in the first to second paragraphs is really, really jarring.
I didn't think it was an awkward changeover at all, but i'll look it over more in a little bit
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there's a place on ocean avenue where I used to sit and talk with you
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band sucks
Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala
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