When most bands pull the ‘indefinite hiatus’ card out of the bag, it’s usually a coded message to their fans that the end is in fact a bit more definite than they’ve let on. But then, YELLOWCARD are not most bands. It’s been two and a half years since Ryan Key and Co. put things on hold and while their future may have been uncertain then; ‘When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes’, pleasingly confirms that all is not in fact over – much rather an entirely more exciting chapter in their legacy has just begun.
From the outset, this feels like a rebirth. The time apart has certainly been beneficial to the band’s energy and songwriting and for those who have lost the faith along the way, you can rest assured that one listen of WYTFSY will restore it to its fullest. ‘The Sound Of You And Me’ hits the jugulars with melodic force and is the first sign of many that Yellowcard have taken the poppy tendencies of ‘Ocean Avenue’, mixed them with the progressive nature of ‘Lights & Sounds’ and ‘Paper Walls’ and produced something entirely more satisfying altogether.
Overall, the boys keep the pace at a relative high, letting up only for the mildly underwhelming ballad of ‘Hang You Up’ and the gentler late interlude of ‘Sing For Me’. This is a rock album and for the most part, these are solid, pounding rock songs. While lead single ‘For You And Your Denial’ and album closer ‘Be The Young’ come close to nailing the best-of-the-bunch accolade, that’s reserved for the simply astounding three minutes of ‘With You Around’. Few bands can get away with name-checking Saves The Day in a song without sounding desperate; even fewer can make a chorus out of it. Not to mention, referencing your biggest song to date in the opening line is a risky move, but it’s one they pull off with boldness and confidence.
So it would seem then, that Yellowcard can sit happily atop the pile of bands that have used 2011 as an opportunity to get back to their best. Not only will this win them back a bucketload of fans they’ve lost along the way due to ‘musical progression’ (some people just don’t like change, eh?), but ‘When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes’ is surely going to bag them thousands and thousands of new ones.
ANDY RITCHIE