Yellowcard - Yellowcard (September 2016)

Yellowcard - Yellowcard

Hopeless Records

Produced by Neil Avron

Released 30th September 2016

Rest In Peace

The Hurt is Gone

 Tracklist
1 Rest In Peace    
2 What Appears    
3 Got Yours    
4 A Place We Set A Fire    
5 Leave A Light On    
6 The Hurt Is Gone    
7 Empty Street    
8 I'm A Wrecking Ball    
9 Savior's Robes    
10 Fields & Fences

If I find any other links for songs on the album I'll add them as they become available.

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(There's loads of links below, click on them to hear loads more music from Yellowcard)

The Tenth Studio Album from Yellowcard is sadly their final hurrah! The Self-Titled album, released today will be followed by a Farewell World Tour.

Midget Tossing - Yellowcard

DIY

April 1997

Yellowcard
    Ben Dobson – lead vocals
    Ben Harper – lead guitar
    Todd Clary – rhythm guitar
    Warren Cooke – bass guitar
    Longineu W. Parsons III – drums, percussion
Others
    Ryan Key – background vocals
    Sean Mackin – violin, background vocals

Since the first album Midget Tossing in 1997 the band has undergone a number of line up changes. Ryan Key and Sean Mackin who were merely guests on the Debut are well and truly entrenched as members. Key had formerly been in Craig's Brother (a band that I really liked years back. Their Debut, Homecoming on Tooth and Nail is worth checking out) and joined the band after the second album Where We Stand. In 2000 Key would make his debut as lead vocalist with the Still Standing EP. The third album was released in April 2001, One For The Kids.

A place on the charts had eluded them until the release of the brilliant Ocean Avenue in July 2003. The title track became their first charting single in the US (reaching #37) whilst Way Away was their first charting single in the UK. Lights and Sounds (2006) broke into the Top Ten (peaking at #7), Paper Walls (2007) made it to #13. The band then went on hiatus for a couple of years before reuniting in 2010 and then releasing  When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes (2011) - #19.

In 2012 they released Southern Air which peaked at #10. It is probably my favourite album of theirs (with Ocean Avenue a close second). Songs like Awakening, and Here I Am Alive I particularly love from this record. I wasn't so taken with Lift A Sail that followed in 2014 (#26), it was a bit too much of a departure from what I was used to hearing from them.

The last album sounds a little like the Ocean Avenue/Southern Air style of things. It's a shame that they are calling it a day. One thing that can be said about them is that they certainly have come a long way since Midget Tossing was released in 1997. Listening to this new record you can see how much they have matured and become better at their craft.

Alphabet Beats #163: Y is for....Yellowcard

So, The Letter X was not really as fruitful as I thought, no worries though The Letter Y might fair a little better (just a little). I've got a possible five artists, one which I'm not to sure of at the moment. The Letter Z has a possible four artists to focus on but again one of them I'm hesitating over. What ever the case, we are drawing near to the end of Alphabet Beats and it's time to get the thinking cap on as to what comes next. - Doug

Y is for....

Yellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1997 and based in Los Angeles since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin. They are best known for their singles 'Ocean Avenue', 'Lights and Sounds', and 'Light Up the Sky'. The band went on a two-year hiatus from 2008 through 2010 and they returned with their seventh studio album, 'When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes', in March 2011, and then 'Southern Air' in August 2012. Their most recent album, 'Lift a Sail', was released October 7, 2014, with lead single 'One Bedroom'.

I can't quite put my finger on why I was drawn to Yellowcard because there are a stack of bands in a way similar to them that never really appealed to me. But their album 'Ocean Avenue' and then 'Southern Air' really gripped me (especially 'Southern Air'). I liked the sound and enjoyed the lyrics a lot more than I ever thought I would. It's interesting to see, looking at their Discography, how they progressed musically, and they are better for it. Their debut 'Midget Tossing' sounds totally immature compared to the likes of the 'Southern Air' and even the latest 'Lift a Sail'.

Click on the links to enjoy the music

 The Music
    Midget Tossing (1997)
    Where We Stand (1999)

Still Standing EP (2000)
    One for the Kids (2001)

The Underdog EP (2002)
    Ocean Avenue (2003)

Beyond Ocean Avenue: Live at The Electric Factory DVD (2004)

AOL Sessions EP (2004)
    Lights and Sounds (2006)
    Paper Walls (2007)

iTunes Live from Las Vegas at the Palms (2008)

Deep Cuts EP (2009)
    When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes (2011)

When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes Acoustic (2011)
    Southern Air (2012)

Ocean Avenue Acoustic (2013)
    Lift a Sail (2014)

Promo Vids

Powder.

Way Away.

Ocean Avenue.

Only One.

Lights and Sounds.

Rough Landing Holly.

Light Up The Sky.

For You and Your Denial.

Hang You Up.

Sing For Me.

With You Around (Acoustic).

See Me Smiling (Acoustic).

Be the Young (Acoustic).

Always Summer.

Here I Am Alive.

Telescope (Acoustic).

Awakening.

One Bedroom.

The Deepest Well.

Crash the Gates.

Soundtrack4Life Best of 2012 Part One Album of the Year Nominations

Well, it's that time of year again when we dig through all the things that have made us smile, sing out loud, excite us with new possibilities in the world of music. This is not the final result but merely those that are Nominated for the particular areas noted. The final decision will be made at the start of December 2012.

Nominations For Album Of The Year

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball

It should come as no real surprise that Springsteen's album heads the nominations as we have been giving great kudos to the album throughout the year as we have sought to follow The Wrecking Ball Tour from the warm-up shows at The Apollo and at SXSW to the full tour from Atlanta on 21st March all the way through to the latest show in Pittsburgh three days ago. 

Unlike 'Working on a Dream', which faded from our minds not long after it's release (not many memorable songs at all we think), 'Wrecking Ball' is loaded with great songs that shine a spotlight upon what is going on in the world today through all the economic chaos and the uncertainty that it has brought to many. By far it's his best record for ages and 7 months on it's still being played here.

 Ian McNabb - Little Episodes

 An album that is brilliant just for it's sheer simplicity. It's not an overly glossy production or bombastic tunes, but a great set of songs that show off the voice and the writing talent of McNabb. Another album that came out in the first quarter of the year and one that is still a delight to listen to.

Jimmy Cliff - Rebirth

 One of the surprises of the year for me was the return of Jimmy Cliff. Last year he had released a great little EP called 'Sacred Fire' that was quite outstanding and Tim Armstrong of Rancid once again was at the controls in the recording of this. A couple of brilliant covers in 'Guns of Brixton' (The Clash) and 'Ruby Soho' (Rancid) and a sound that reminds us so much of the great reggae that Cliff was releasing for Island Records back in the 1970's.

Dion - Tank Full of Blues

 The King of the New York Streets returned to recording after an absence of four years to bring yet another fine collection of the blues and show that the old man still has got a great voice. There wasn't a single track on the album that was a disappointment and it was a superb addition to his discography.

Sinéad O'Connor - How About I Be Me (and You Be You?)

 Another surprise for me earlier in the year was the release of this one. O'Connor has not always been one who is an easy listen and far too often she does things that leave you wondering what on earth she is all about. But the album far exceed my expectation and contains some of her finest writing in a while.

Joey Ramone - Ya Know?

 This was always going to be a tough one to listen to because Joey had meant so much and had been a part of our Soundtrack4Life since The Ramones first released their debut album back in 1976.

'Rock 'n' Roll is the Answer' was released as a single on Record Store Day and gave us the first taste of what was to come. It might not be everyone's cuppa tea but it made us laugh, cry, whoop with delight and sit and wonder what might have been had Joey not died! 

Yellowcard - Southern Air

Yellowcard are not a band that we normally listen to and so on hearing the opening track 'Awakenings' and totally loving it there were clear grounds to investigate further and the conslusion is that this album warrented a place on the list of best albums of the year. It's only fault as was said when we first wrote about it back in August is the inclusion of a cover of Coldplay's 'Fix You' (not a fan of Coldplay and probably never will be!).

Yellowcard - Southern Air 2012 (Hopeless Records)

I'm really loving this album at the moment. It's got some great hooks and superb lyrics. The only let down for me (and I'm sure others might disagree) was the inclusion of  'Fix You' as a bonus track. I'm not a fan of Coldplay at all and so I can take it or leave it. Have a listen, click on the links.

Tracklist

01. Awakening

02. Surface of the Sun

03. Always Summer

04. Here I Am Alive

05. Sleep In The Snow

06. A Vicious Kind

07. Telescope

08. Rivetown Blues

09. Ten

10. Southern Air

11. Fix You (itunes Bonus Track)