Emily Toomey
Connector Staff
Yellowcard have recently come back with a boom with their new album “Lift a Sail.” Ultimately, vocalist Ryan Key pours his heart and soul into every song on the album. This album is certainly different from anything they’ve ever released: Key’s lyrics have much more emotional drive, featuring songs about Key’s grandfather such as “My Mountain” and wife with “One Bedroom.” It is slightly reminiscent of both their albums “Southern Air” and “When Your Through Thinking Say Yes,” with the recurring theme of heartache. With both guitar and piano being played, the contrast of hard and soft is represented. Power ballads have made their reoccurrence throughout the album as well.
“Lift A Sail” is certainly Yellowcard’s most inspiring album yet, due to Key pulling inspiration from tragedies in his life. Overall, the band wanted the theme of the record to be about moving forward and had a goal of producing something that universally anyone can relate to. The band has consistently been keeping with a similar sound and pleasing fans. “Lift a Sail” being no exception.
The first track off the album is “Convocation,” which is an instrumental featuring piano and violin melodies. This beautiful track definitely sets the scene for the whole album in the listener’s mind. In a way this song is like a chamber orchestra preparing the listeners of the adventure through the album. Towards the end of the song, drums begin to sound which later transition into the beginning melody of “Transmission Home.”
The first single to be aired however was “One Bedroom.” This song is one of the slower songs off the album, and certainly sounds more pop oriented. Though “One Bedroom” alone holds up to be a solid track, this doesn’t represent who they are as a band. Most people would recognize Yellowcard through Sean Mackin’s incredible talent with the violin and catchy string riffs. In a way, this track is almost completely masking his abilities.
“MSK” is without a doubt one of the strongest tracks off the album. Mackin’s expert violin playing really shines through on this track. Through the lack of guitar and drums being played, this track seems more vulnerable. A melody is much easier created, and the vibe is represented as a sense of desire. Key is practically crying out, “I need you, need you,” and “Everything hurts; you’re so far away.” This track allows the listener to really connect with the band and experience what Key seemed to be feeling in that moment.
Towards the end of the album, “The Deepest Well” is featured. This track definitely gives off that old-school Yellowcard vibe, reflecting back to their roots of albums “Lights and Sounds” and “Ocean Avenue” with heavier guitar riffs. This track also features Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire. Though Yellowcard has a tendency to collaborate with other pop-punk artists (including We Are The In Crowd), this is one of their best collaborations yet.
“California” the last song on the album, is much more slowed down. Without a doubt, this is a perfect way to end the album. It really helps capture the overall mood and essence of this album. Key’s emotions are easily interpreted. Being beautifully written with lyrics “when everything that I can see goes dark I feel you here with me” and having exceptional piano riffs make this song really shine.
Overall, the tracks flow very nicely together, going from powerful songs, to more reserved songs instrumentally. As the album progresses, so does the show of emotion. The first few tracks such as “Transmission Home” and “Crash The Gates” are more of a battle cry, but the songs become much more personal. In a way, it’s as if the deeper you get into life, the more struggles you experience.
Yellowcard incorporates something for everyone on this album: gentle piano, slow tempos and even some heavier tracks. They have made a name for themselves in the pop-punk scene, spending this past summer on the Vans Warped Tour. This fall, they will be on tour with Memphis May Fire and Emarosa. The tour will stop at House Of Blues in Boston on November 4th.
Final Grade: B
