Yellowcard

The last and best album by Yellowcard, so says All Music and I agree. The usual uplifting pop punk and emo tracks with the unique staccato violin can be found but it is the other tracks that move more into folk and Americana that are both welcome, surprising and brilliant (and why I love the acoustic versions of some of their albums). Leave a Light On and The Hurt is Gone are brilliant but Fields and Fences is a masterpiece- undoubtedly the best song they have ever written and the last. I can really see the band members exploring more of a folk/ alt country path in the future. Let's see.

I have loved Yellowcard for about 12 years so it's sad that they have called it a day, but this is an amazing album and a really good album to bow out on.Twenty year career well done.

Save the best for last, superb - YC-RestInPeace

Perfect final album

Perfect

perfect

Yellowcard’s tenth studio album and swan song was released on 30th September 2016. This is to be their final album and is their fourth since their reformation in 2010. The artwork is a sombre snapshot of the countryside and crops.This is the second album to feature drummer Nate Young after long time member Longineu Parsons III left before the recording of the last album Lift a sail. The album has 10 tracks which is true of 3/4 albums since their reformation.The opening track and first single from the album Rest in peace is a strong starter, written around the theme of closure, it provides us with the sentimentality, nostalgia and hope that this album portrays. It’s a solid pop rock song with the usual melodic chorus and smooth vocals we have come to expect from this band. The music features obvious violin from Sean Mackin (between verses). What appears is a decent guitar driven track with Ryan confessing “I am not what appears…”. Got yours features semi heavy guitar riffs and a really energetic rhythm. It’s the most punk sounding track. A place we set afire has a swinging rhythm, a relaxed feel and is another guitar led track. I enjoy the fact you can hear the violin in the chorus. In recent times the violin has not been used enough in my opinion, which is this band’s trademark and should be used more frequently. Leave a light on is a piano led track and slows things down. It’s full of sentimentality as Ryan asks a lover/friend how they are getting on somewhere else and how he waits for them to return.The hurt is gone opens with some strange sounds, working into a rhythmical song which sounds like it uses mainly acoustic guitar. The chorus is catchy and thought provoking. Empty street (originally a Big if demo) is an average guitar song with an easy going feel. Ryan wishes his inspiration/s “Do what makes you happy”. I’m a wrecking ball was a demo written with Dan McLintock of Inspection 12 /Craig’s brother. It’s easy listening, really smooth and relaxed with acoustic guitar. Savior’s robes is a highlight for me as it’s the heaviest track with the most intensity. Ryan sounds angry, it’s got angsty lyrics (“You’re a devil in a savior’s robes) and a hard hitting chorus. It’s quite a contrast from Wrecking ball (one of a few quiet pieces). At 2:40 there’s an interesting sombre breakdown which takes us away and brings us back in again with an exciting build. Fields and fences is a quiet, sentimental ending with Ryan singing about Tennessee’s fields and fences which protect him when the world sends him astray in the world of fame. It has a moody instrumental piece at the end.This self-titled album is a satisfying ending to an incredible career and discography. When Yellowcard went on ‘hiatus’ after their 2007 album Paper walls, their future was uncertain and I for one was surprised and glad about their reformation a few years later. I don’t quite think the magic has been there in recent times, but they have still produced four decent albums since returning. I for one shall miss them.

THIS is it. The end. The last act. The final curtain call before Yellowcard call it a day on a career spanning ten studio albums and three decades.Yellowcard is the band's self-titled final record which offers rip-roaring hands-in-the-air highs and arms-around-the-shoulders sing-a-longs.Opening track Rest In Peace sets the pulses racing with high-tempo guitars and hooky violin riffs. The only downer is this is the album's best track. But who cares? Not me, that's for sure. It's the perfect self-indulgent opening act to the band saying goodnight, farewell and safe journey home.What Appears follows in a similar vein and A Place We Set is Yellowcard doing what Yellowcard do best. It's melodic, it's catchy, it's heartfelt and will have fans singing in hoarse unison on their Final World Tour.Leave A Light On is this record's equivalent of Lift A Sail's California or Ocean Avenue's Empty Apartment. Turn the lights low, turn your smart phones on and wave them in the air.The Hurt Is Gone picks the pace up as the album enters the final furlong, though it doesn't quite hit the spot like Rest In Peace.Savior's Robes is tense, energetic, dangerous and tees up perfectly for the closing track Fields And Fences.Though the track list is strong. If I'm being critical the album doesn't have too many stand-out moments other than Rest In Peace, A Place We Set Afire and Leave A Light On.That being said, there's no filler. This is the band's farewell to legions of fans who'll cherish this album like all the others. This is Yellowcard saying goodbye. If only all bands could go out like this. Neil Young said it best: "It's better to burnout than to fade away." With a record like this, fading away is something Yellowcard could never be accused of.