Review Summary: Goodbye, Yellowcard.
So, here we are.
Yellowcard, the band that kicked off their success with "Ocean Avenue" in 2003, winning the hearts of many, is calling it quits. I remember checking in on Instagram and seeing Yellowcard post something about how "goodbyes are always hard," and felt my eyes welling up as their breakup letter sat before me. The group that had gotten me through the absolute lowest points in my life and had accompanied me through the absolute highest points in my life is ending.
But let me say, Yellowcard went out with a bang. Yellowcard is one of the best albums they've ever put out, and here's why.
This album opens up with the lead single, "Rest In Peace," a song that has many layers to it, and whoever is listening connects on a different one, whether it be the sadness of the band's end, the loss of a friend, the heartbreak of someone leaving you, or the feeling of leaving someone behind, the verses and chorus of this song are amazing, along with one hell of a violin part and guitar solo by Ryan Mendez. This track and tracks like "What Appears" and "Got Yours" show that this is not just going to be an album that rips your heart out, but there is still upbeat riffs and very good drumming, courtesy of Nate Young, who has stepped his game up since Lift a Sail.
Like usual, all instruments are on point. Yellowcard has a track record of having a high production value and making everything sound exactly as it should. Great bass, great drums, great vocals, great drums, great piano, great everything.
There is plenty of time to breath and reflect while listening. "A Place We Set Afire" slows us down from previous tracks, but not in a bad way at all. Lyrics like "We don't have to say goodbye, but we can't get lost in time" and "try to find some peace in falling out" are wonderful lines that remind us what will be missing from rock when Yellowcard is gone. "Leave A Light On" is a rather mellow piano track with an amazing vocal performance by Ryan Key, once again, with amazing lines such as "Don't let the past become the reason you're not here" that can be commenting on rough past friendships or with old fans disappointed with their previous record Lift a Sail.
Following up these tracks is the longer version of "The Hurt Is Gone," the second lead track from the album. This song is six minutes and twenty-five seconds, and upon first listen is a little hard to see why, but further listens make the outro more meaningful. Once the last chorus fades out and the songs keeps chugging along, layers and layers keep being added on and peeled off, possibly alluding to band members that have come and gone.
"Empty Street" is a song that is forgotten after a first listen, but is one that defiantly deserves to be revisited more than a few times. This track has everything previously noted, sad lyrics, amazing instrumental moments and an all around great time (and a pretty great guitar solo). This is followed up by the beautifully light song "I'm a Wrecking Ball," a song scattered with light percussion bits and wonderful finger picking, and the chorus with the line "I'm a wrecking ball, a liar, a lover with no fire" seems to reflect upon a person who has regrets but can't manage to fix them or act upon them. As distorted guitars come in around the second verse, the song feels elevated and emotions swell, and, if you started feeling relaxed, "Savior's Robes" comes in with some of the best riffs and the best drums on this entire record, and even in the past few years. There's angst in the lyrics, claiming that the subject is a "devil in a savior's robes." It's wonderful.
Here come the tears.
As soon as the adrenaline runs off from the previous track cools down, "Fields & Fences" comes in, and so does the realization. This is the last song Yellowcard will ever put out. All the lyrics hit harder ("I wanna stop living, I wanna be brave, I wanna find where I belong"), the guitar and violin blend better. Every single note hit and every word sung is so moving and perfect. If there was ever a song to cap off Yellowcard, this would be it, and I'm glad it is. The tempo picks up and the sound becomes heavier a few minutes in, and we, as the listeners become confident that the members of this group will always be in our hearts, leaving a lasting impact just like the first time we heard Ocean Avenue. As Ryan Key and Sean Mackin sing that they're "not alone," everything fades away, and not just musically. The negative emotions of guilt, sorrow, anger, it all leaves you. The last notes from Sean Mackin are strung and, right then and there, everything is at peace.
Something I cannot push enough is that every emotion in this album doesn't feel forced or reliant on how this is the last release. This fully deserves a 5/5, and that's not because I'm emotional over the breakup (even though I am). Everyone on this record is at their best, and if this wasn't their last album it would be equally amazing. Although it is heartbreaking that Yellowcard is leaving us, the statement of "preserving the band's integrity" and leaving to focus on families are assuring enough to let us, the listeners, know they did the right thing, and, to quote Yellowcard themselves:
"I could sleep, but when I wake here you'll still be gone, and you're my air."
