Yellowcard

Type- Album Review

Title- Southern Air

By- Yellowcard

Yellowcard are not just another band. Just last March, the Jacksonville natives released ‘When You’re Through Thinking Say Yes’, a record that served as a statement, saying not only was Yellowcard active again but they were well and truly back, The album was a refresher on al things Yellowcard and the band took a sound that we are all familiar with and crafted a comeback album that stood higher that theor past material. It was a perfectly executed return back to the scene. Saying that with ‘Southern Air’ we are shown front man Ryan Key’s most intimate and personal story telling, Sean Mackin’s most emotional violin contributions and Longineu Pearsons’ steady backbone on the drum kit.

Most of us can easily recognise a Ryan Key’s chorus quickly by now, and Yellowcars sixth studio album kicks off with a big one on “Awakening.” On this particular track its not the chorus that stands out its actually the verses. The second verse Key’s belts “Yes, I miss you still/ and probably always will/ I’m living with a busted heart that I will have until/ I find strength I know is somewhere in my bones/ To pull the curtain up again and get on with the show/ at least you know I still care enough to write.” Key’s lyrical prowess has been magnified on this latest record.

As always, Yellowcard throws in a few slow songs in to mix up the pace during the 10 tracks on the album. “Telescope” is a brooding, building number while “Ten” is the emotional high point of the album. Key sing a heartfelt story about a child lost before birth. The song is so intimate and is impacted by Mackin’s emotive violin. Mid-tempo song co-written with Patrick Stump “Here I Am Alive,” allows Key’s lyric to come to the forefront and this times offers an insight into the highs and lows of his band’s career and hiatus.

When Yellowcard announced they were recording a new album merely eighteen months after releasing the last one is nothing compared to the sense of awe I get listening to ‘Southern Air’. For a band like this to put its all into their come back and become present in the genre again is made even better by the fact that they are even better now than they were before they left, it truly is something amazing to witness. ‘Southern Air’  is the best  pop-punk album of 2012, it is a veteran band giving their all for everyone to listen.

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- Gillian_x3