Review Summary: Please don't hate me.
Yellowcard began a hiatus in April of 2008 after Paper Walls did not do nearly as well as anyone hoped or expected it to. Instead of doing Yellowcard, the band members split off in different directions. While this happened, the studio decided to throw together a small four-track EP of some acoustics, a live performance, and a b-side.
Yellowcard has always thrived in acoustic settings, that’s no secret, and the renditioning of Avondale and Down On My Head are quite good. Avondale has some nice falsetto notes to accompany the violin, and Down On My Head has some fun background riffs during the chorus. Both of them are pretty straight-forward and don’t drastically change the songs in any way.
The live song, Holly Wood Died, really ruins what could have been a pleasant, easy-listening acoustic experience. It’s not a bad performance, but it is really out of place. LP’s electric drum fills, Pete’s pounding bass, and Ryan’s amazing lead guitar performance are all wasted on this song because of how drastic the contrast is between this track and the other three.
Closer “When We’re Old Men” tries to recapture the pleasant vibe, but it just serves as a huge drop in energy. It’s a great song about friendship and hope, full of emotional lyrics and outstanding delivery, but in the context of the EP it doesn’t work at all.
Overall, this EP may be brief, but it’s still not a terrific listen from front to back, and only serves a purpose to people looking to finish their Yellowcard discography.
