1.Midget Tossing (1997); 2.Where We Stand (1999); 3.One for the Kids (2001); 4.Ocean Avenue (2003); 5.Lights and Sounds (2006); 6.Paper Walls (2007); 7.When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes (2011)
Midget Tossing
Released April 1997, Length 34:25, Label DYI Records
1. 2 Quarts - 3:00
2. Possessions - 1:55
3. Sue - 2:24
4. American't - 3:00
5. Uphill Both Ways - 3:58
6. Me First - 3:48
7. For the Longest Time - 1:38
8. Get Off the Couch - 2:46
9. Interlewd - 1:46
10. Someday - 3:53
11. Goodbye - 6:17
Where We Stand
Released 1999, Length 32:36, Label Takeover
1. Lesson Learned – 3:22
2. Time Will Tell – 3:58
3. Sue – 2:24
4. April 20th – 2:55
5. Uphill Both Ways – 3:58
6. Kids – 2:42
7. Doesn't Matter – 2:54
8. Sorry Try Again – 1:44
9. Anywhere But Here – 3:13
10. On the Brink – 7:26
Where We Stand is the second album by American rock band Yellowcard. It was released in 1999 (and re-released in 2004 and 2005).
Ben Dobson (singer) and Todd Clary (guitarist) who left after this album had a lot to do with their sound of old. Dobson’s scruffy, rough-around-the-edges vocal approach gave this band some toughness that is quite different from their current incarnation. The lyrics are about rebellion and philosophy. It was released by Takeover Records, a label created by one of the band's guitarists, Ben Harper. It is currently out-of-print. The songs "Sue" and "Uphill Both Ways" were both on Yellowcard's first album Midget Tossing.
One for the Kids
Released April 17, 2001, Length 46:42, Label Lobster
1. Starstruck – 2:48
2. Drifting – 3:29
3. Something of Value – 3:30
4. Trembling – 2:26
5. Sureshot – 3:19
6. Big Apple Heartbreak – 3:44
7. Cigarette – 3:53 (Ian Ennis)
8. October Nights – 3:29
9. Rock Star Land – 3:39
10. For Pete's Sake – 3:51
11. A.W.O.L. – 3:01
12. Rough Draft (bonus track) – 4:13
13. [Hidden Track] (silence) - 1:59
14. [Hidden Track] (Untitled) - 0:56
Ocean Avenue
Released July 22, 2003, Length 47:16, Label Capitol
1. Way Away 3:22
2. Breathing 3:38
3. Ocean Avenue 3:18
4. Empty Apartment 3:36
5. Life of a Salesman 3:18
6. Only One 4:17
7. Miles Apart 3:32
8. View from Heaven 3:22
9. Inside Out 3:40
10. Believe 4:31
11. One Year, Six Months 3:28
12. Back Home 3:55Ocean Avenue is the fourth studio album by the American pop punk band Yellowcard. It was produced by Neal Avron, and was released on July 22, 2003 through Capitol Records. The album is the major-label debut for the band. Shortly after releasing The Underdog EP, Yellowcard signed with Capitol Records, which was looking to sign pop punk groups at the time.
The album was a commercial success in the United States, led by hit single "Ocean Avenue". The album received generally positive reviews from music critics and has been certified platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and gold by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA).
Commercial performance and promotion
Ocean Avenue sold 11,000 copies in its first week in the U.S., debuting at #61. It is Yellowcard's most successful album and has been certified Platinum for sales in excess of 1,000,000. It was released as an enhanced CD in some countries. The enhanced CD includes a video entitled "The Making of Ocean Avenue" and a previously unreleased video of the song "Powder" (from The Underdog EP). In 2005, this album was released as a Special Edition import, with live videos and music videos.
Lights and Sounds
Released January 24, 2006, Length 52:42, Label Capitol
Released January 24, 2006, Length 52:42, Label Capitol
1. Three Flights Up 1:23
2. Lights and Sounds 3:28
3. Down on My Head 3:32
4. Sure Thing Falling 3:42
5. City of Devils 4:23
6. Rough Landing, Holly 3:33
7. Two Weeks from Twenty 4:18
8. Waiting Game 4:15
9. Martin Sheen or JFK 3:47
10. Space Travel 3:47
11. Grey 3:00
12. Words, Hands, Hearts 4:24
13. How I Go 4:32
14. Holly Wood Died 4:39Lights and Sounds is the fifth studio album by American pop punk band Yellowcard, released on January 24, 2006 in the United States through Capitol Records. Lights and Sounds is Yellowcard's first concept album, which was inspired to reflect what the band was feeling at the time of production and how they have matured in the process. Lights and Sounds also departs its sounds from Yellowcard's previous album, Ocean Avenue (2003), which broke away from its pop punk sound to a more alternative rock album.
Lights and Sounds debuted to mixed reviews from contemporary music critics, receiving criticism as the album fell short from the standard set by its predecessor, Ocean Avenue. Upon the album's release, it charted at number five onBillboard's 200 and Top Internet Albums' charts. The album accumulated sales of just over 315,000 copies, which failed to match the 2 million sales of their previous album. Yellowcard went on to explain that the disappointment of the sales were due to their going "a bit too far" with the expectations they had thought the album would exceed. Lights and Sounds was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The album yielded two singles, "Lights and Sounds" and "Rough Landing, Holly". While the band was promoting the album, lead guitarist Ben Harper parted ways with the band. Following Harper's departure, the band revealed that they had entered their "highest and lowest" points because of Harper's departure from the band.To accommodate the album's promotion, Yellowcard replaced Harper with guitarist Ryan Mendez.
Background
After almost two years of touring in support of their 2003 album, Ocean Avenue, Yellowcard took a few months off. In December 2004, vocalist Ryan Key and bassist Peter Mosely moved to New York City to write songs for their upcoming album, while the rest of the band remained in Los Angeles.
As Key and Mosely stayed in New York, they admitted that there was a delay when it came to start writing songs for the album. Key, however, did explain that they were writing "weird, obscure, not-too-mellow" tracks and working on notebooks that he compiled while the band was touring. He also noted that he was able to write for a couple of hours and would receive over "15-20 ideas" that he could take out for the band, so once they all got together, they can start collaborating on the record. Mosely, also in discussion of this, added that the reason it took them so long was because they were "scared to death" with the writing. Mosely concluded that once the writing had begun, the process was easier on them. It was also during this time that Key and Mosely began to turn their apartment into a studio, adding a drum kit, guitar amps, and even including a piano.While Key and Mosely began the development of the songs, the rest of the members would occasionally fly to New York to check on the progress.
In April 2005, the band met in Los Angeles and began recording at the Sunset Sound studios. The following month in an interview with MTV News, lead guitaristBen Harper revealed that the writing process was finished. In addition, Harper commented that the band recorded 19 songs for the album, 13 of which made the final cut. In August 2005, Yellowcard announced the songs, "Lights and Sounds", "Sure Thing Falling", and "Two Weeks from Twenty", that were going to be featured in the album. It was also revealed that the album would feature an instrumental and hidden track. In September 2005, the band announced a release forLights and Sounds in January 2006.
MusicWith Lights and Sounds, Yellowcard broke away from their original pop punk sound to a more alternative rock album. The album is somewhat of a concept album, made to reflect what Yellowcard was feeling at the time of production. Ryan Key, in discussion of this, said that Ocean Avenue was about "finding your place in the world" and explained that Lights and Sounds was about "realizing that you've gotten lost". The band has cited Radiohead's Kid A (2000) and Guns N' Roses' 1991 albums Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II as major influences for the album. Yellowcard also credit Aphex Twin, Mouse on Mars and Explosions in the Sky for inspiration, regarding the music sound in the album.
In an interview in August 2005, Key explained that the album was a "definite departure" and "more political" than what Ocean Avenuehad contained. In discussion of the album, Key said that the band had matured and that the music in Lights and Sounds would be different from their previous album.Though, Key added, "...we have to be careful, we have to try and write songs [in the style of the ones] we wrote before. We have to make a conscious effort not to think about the fact that we went from being a nothing band ... to having a bunch of hit singles in like, one year." Printz Board of The Black Eyed Peas collaborated with Yellowcard on the song "Two Weeks from Twenty" where he played a trumpet solo. The song, "How I Go", features a duet with Dixie Chicks' lead vocalist Natalie Maines, and features a twenty-five orchestra piece, which was conducted by violinist Sean Mackin. According to Peter Mosely, the band liked the Dixie Chicks' and even thought of collaborating with Maines on Ocean Avenue for the song "View from Heaven". Mosely also revealed that the band approached Maines about singing on "How I Go"; "The original plan was just for her to sing back-up (on the song). [But] it ended up turning into a duet." He also added that Maines took a demo of the song and returned to the studio, Sunset Sound, where the band were working, in addition to the Dixie Chicks working on their album, with lyrics and vocals of her own. Mackin also composed an entire string section and conducted an orchestra in the album. In an interview with Daily Nexus in June 2006, Mackin revealed that the conducting was the easy part and that the composing part was much harder. In this interview, Mackin also commented, "composing was getting so frustrating since I wasn’t writing as fast as my mind was thinking, so going back I wanted to make sure that each of my arrangements for this album and the 12 different songs were completely different".
Paper Walls
Released July 17, 2007, Length 47:45, Label Capitol
Paper Walls
Released July 17, 2007, Length 47:45, Label Capitol
1. The Takedown 3:37
2. Fighting 3:00
3. Shrink the World 3:20
4. Keeper 3:55
5. Light Up the Sky 3:37
6. Shadows and Regrets 3:59
7. Five Becomes Four 3:30
8. Afraid 3:13
9. Date Line (I Am Gone) 3:22
10. Dear Bobbie 4:14
11. You and Me and One Spotlight 3:57
12. Cut Me, Mick 3:34
13. Paper Walls 4:28
Bonus tracks
- Gifts and Curses (Live & Acoustic) 5:02
- How I Go (Live & Acoustic) 4:39
- Bombers (iTunes Exclusive) 3:28
Paper Walls is the third major-label album from American pop punk band Yellowcard, released on July 17, 2007, but their fourth full-length studio album with Ryan Key and sixth including those recorded before him. This is also the first Yellowcard album with Ryan Mendez, the last with Peter Mosely, and the last studio album to be released through Capitol Records. The album was recorded at Ocean Studios in Burbank, California and was mixed at South Beach Studios in Miami, Florida.
In an interview with Jason Tate of AbsolutePunk.net released on June 17 (one month before the release of the album), vocalist Ryan Key described the album as
| “ | ...very much a record of hope and finding yourself again. It’s after you’ve come through all of that – going to the height of it – and picking yourself back up again. And by “hitting rock bottom” I don’t mean in record sales or fame or any of that shit. I mean personally – emotionally...Paper Walls is the story, the feeling, of what it’s like to be out of those holes, looking back, no regrets, but smarter and having grown through them. | ” |
Recording and Production
On October 16, 2006, only six months after the release of their previous album, Lights and Sounds, the band announced over their official website that they were back in the studio recording a new album. Pre-production began in October 2006 and tracking began in January 2007. From January to March 2007, studio footage labeled "Yellowcard Sessions" regarding the band's progress on making the album was posted on the band's MySpace.
"Light Up the Sky" was the first track to be fully mixed and finished. However, "Fighting" was the first track to be released to the public on Yellowcard's official MySpace page. Shortly afterward, the full version of "Light Up the Sky" was posted as well along with another new song, "Five Becomes Four". On June 4, "Light Up the Sky" was released to radio stations across America, and became the most added song to radio that week.
On July 17, 2007, the release date of Paper Walls, lead singer Ryan Key posted a blog on the band's official MySpace page regarding the album's debut as well as thoughts concerning its previous leak onto the internet
Shortly after the album's leak and release date, the songs "Shadows and Regrets" and "Five Becomes Four" were first believed to have been written about former guitarist Ben Harper, who left the band to focus on his record label, after recording Lights and Sounds last year. However, recently it has been said that "Shadows and Regrets" is about Scott Shad, former drummer of Inspection 12 and best friend of Ryan Key, who died in a car crash. The song seems to reflect this interpretation better, as the chorus states "We were only kids. And we were best of friends. And we hoped for the best. Let go of the rest." While this could understandably be about Ben Harper, he and Key only met in high school, whereas Key and Shad knew each other their entire lives.
Yellowcard Sessions
Between the months of December 2006 and March 2007, several videos chronicling the progress of the album's production were posted on the band's YouTube and MySpace pages, with a new video added every Thursday. Ten videos were posted in total. The first few videos didn't have much to do with the band's progress on the album, and they just showed the band in their time off from recording and writing. One video was purely a comedy show, featuring Ryan Key getting pranked by the rest of the band. In the ninth video, "Light Up the Sky" was previewed for the first time for those watching and for the band.
The tenth and last video in the series chronicled the last day of production, which lasted until 6 a.m. on March 22, 2007. The video contains footage of the band finishing the last song to be completely finished and tracked, which was the iTunes bonus, "Bombers".
Since the studio footage videos, the band has been making videos of their experiences while touring and on the road.
Music style
Throughout the months of October 2006 to March 2007, Yellowcard engaged in feedback response with their fans to somewhat suggest or influence the outcome of the upcoming album. When asked about the direction of the album, Ryan Mendez responded that this follow-up to Lights and Sounds "has the energy and intensity that Ocean Avenue had and some similarities, but not necessarily exactly the same". He also stated on the official Yellowcard message board on October 21, 2006 that three songs were currently completed and that "[he] really thinks fans of both older and newer Yellowcard are going to be very happy." Additionally, in January 2007, some sample demo songs were released on the band's MySpace, though they were only rough recordings from pre-production and not the final recorded versions. One demo was a 30-second rough recording of "Date Line (I Am Gone)". Another was the intro to "Bombers", which ultimately did not make it onto the album.
Promotion and sales
The first Yellowcard show since October 2006, when the album began production, took place on March 29, 2007 at the Troubadour in Hollywood, California. At the show, lead singer Ryan Key announced to a sold out crowd that the new album would be titled Paper Walls. During the Troubadour show, Yellowcard played two songs from their new album ("Fighting " and "The Takedown"). The band played an acoustic set the next night at the Troubadour and also played two new songs, "Shadows and Regrets" and "Light Up the Sky".
On May 22, 2007, the cover art for the album was posted on the band's MySpace profile, along with new promotional pictures. The cover art of the album shows the night skyline of Jacksonville, Florida, the band's hometown. It was announced in a press release for the album that Paper Walls would be released in an additional CD/DVD format, much in the same vein as Lights and Sounds was the previous year.MySpace page was also updated to a new layout to match the theme of the album. Three MySpace skins resembling the Paper Walls theme were made available on the Capitol Records website on June 29. Additionally, on June 11, 2007, Yellowcard's official website was updated to feature a new design for the new album. Their
In June fans voted Yellowcard (over My Chemical Romance) for the next AOL Sessions Under Cover. The session went live on July 19, one day earlier than planned. It features two songs from Paper Walls.
Following its release, Paper Walls was heavily advertised and promoted. On July 20, the band participated in an interactive meeting with fans on There.com, a 3-D online virtual world. In August, they played a show in the studio in Los Angeles that was streamed on their MySpace page, while taking song requests directly from fans via the MySpace Instant Messenger. There have also been several other promotional attempts by the band in the month following the album's release.
Following the album's release, it debuted at number 13 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 40,000 copies in its first week, which is less than half of the first week sales of their previous studio album, Lights and Sounds. In its second week, Paper Walls fell to #46, selling 17,000 units. On week three it hit #70 with sales of about 10,000 copies, and on week four it fell to #92, selling 7,000 copies that week. A total of 74,000 copies were sold in the first four weeks of release.
The lead single, "Light Up the Sky", peaked at #32 'Billboard Adult Top 40 Tracks in the U.S.
In early 2008, Capitol Records announced that they will not promote Paper Walls anymore, meaning that a second single was not released.
"Fighting" appears in the video game Madden 08.
"The Takedown" is featured in the video game Guitar Hero: Van Halen.
Response
The reactions of critics who have been sent copies of the album to preview before its release have been positive, which has a score of 62 (indicating generally favorable reviews) on Metacritic which is higher than its predecessor Lights and Sounds.
The webmaster of The Music Nazi claiming it to be the best record since Brand New's "The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me". Jason Tate, webmaster of absolutepunk.net has said it is "the best "pop-punk" album of the past 5 or so years" and Drew Beringer claims it to be "like Ocean Avenue, but with more balls." He went on further to say "The more I listen to Paper Walls by Yellowcard, the more I fall in love with it. It has been a long time since a pop-punk album has really enthralled me. Everyone is going to dig this." Down The Road Webzine gave a high score for this album which is 8.5/10 and said "but this is one fun pop-punk record that is worth listening to and in my eyes, they’ve more than redeemed themselves with this album". Rocklouder gave the album 4 stars out 5 stars and saying " Paper Walls is the perfect pop-punk album for those seeking a leisurely listen." Billboard gave the album 8 out of 10. Amazon gave the album a positive review saying "the lyrics are direct and honest, while they've broadened their sonic palette to allow a tad more dissonance in with their urgent and propulsive pop-punk.
All Music Guide was satisfied with Paper Walls and claimed "Yellowcard is neither the flashiest nor the most popular among the new millennium's pop-punk bands but their fifth album Paper Walls goes a long way in proving that they are among the best of their breed."
With positive critical reception from critics, fans enjoyed Paper Walls as well. This is shown on Metacritic with an 7.5 out of 10, indicating generally positive reviews
Leak
On June 23, 2007, almost a whole month before the album's official release date, eleven songs from the album leaked onto the internet. The last two songs, "Cut Me, Mick" and "Paper Walls", were leaked closer to the album's release date. Considering the unusually early leak of the album, it is surprising that there have been no official comments on the leak. Between the time of the leak and the release date however, the band members kept insistently urging fans to buy the album and give them their support even if they've already downloaded the songs.
When Ryan Mendez viewed discussion of the leak going on in YCUnderdogs, the band's official fan community and forum, he stated in response, "glad you guys like the album". Also, on the album's release date, band frontman Ryan Key posted a blog entry on the band's official MySpace concerning the release and the leak:
| “ | It's here everyone. Paper Walls is official today. I will be going to the store in Atlanta as soon as my plane lands to pick up a copy. I can't believe after all this waiting we finally have a new record on our hands. I know most of you have already downloaded the songs but I do hope you will still go to your local record store and give us your support. Its a big day and the start of another chapter in the Yellowcard story. | ” |
No other comments have been made about the leak, however the band continues to urge people to buy their record and support them.
When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes
Released March 22, 2011, Length 37:09, Label Hopeless
The Sound of You and Me 4:36
For You, and Your Denial 3:33
With You Around 3:01
Hang You Up 4:02
Life of Leaving Home 3:24
Hide 3:12
Soundtrack 3:35
Sing for Me 3:54
See Me Smiling 3:50
Be the Young 3:56
When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes is the seventh studio album released by Americanrock band Yellowcard on March 22, 2011 under Hopeless Records. The album has received strong critical acclaim. The album's title comes from a text message sent to a girl by lead singer Ryan Key.
Background
Following the band's reformation after their hiatus (from 2008–2010), they immediately began working on their new album. Ryan Key, who had previously been in a small project with Reeve Oliver vocalist/guitarist Sean O'Donnell (who was chosen as Pete Mosely's replacement when the band reformed) called "Big If", confirmed that some of Big If's songs were going to be reworked by Yellowcard and included on the new album.
On August 3, 2010, the band announced that they were going into the studio in September with Neal Avron to record the new album. While in the studio, they revived "Yellowcard Sessions" (Yellowcard's YouTube updates), and recorded studio updates that were shown originally on Rock Sound magazine's website.
On November 8, 2010, Yellowcard finished recording their seventh studio album. On November 13, 2010, the new album title was announced to be When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes at a show at the Glass House in Pomona, California, where they also played "For You and Your Denial," the first song to be played from the album. Ryan Key confirmed that there would not be a title track.
On December 9, 2010, the artwork for the album was posted on the official site of the band. On January 5, 2011, the band revealed the album's tracklist. The first single to be released from the album was "For You, and Your Denial", which was released January 18, 2011, on iTunes.
The band also stated that there will be 2 full-band bonus tracks not featured on the main track list, one of which ("Promises") was released with the album on iTunes, and the other one being a re-done version of the Big If song "Empty Street" that has yet to be released. There will be a further 10 acoustic versions of the original songs, which have yet to be released also.
On February 22, 2011, the music video for "For You and Your Denial" debuted on MTV2 and MTVU. The same day, the track "Hang You Up" was released as the second single off the album.
Critical Reception
Reception to When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes was overwhelmingly positive. Absolute Punk reviewer Thomas Nassiff summarized the reunion album as "a holistic recap of the band's career that still shows good progression" and "one very important thing: Yellowcard is back, and they're back for good". Jared Ponton of Sputnikmusic, in his review giving the album 4 out of 5 stars, explained, "The record bleeds with the best that Yellowcard have done thus far, yet in a fresh context, bursting with newfound energy after a short hiatus that, in hindsight, was certainly needed." Even Allmusic reviewer Gregory Heaney, who gave the album one of its lowest critical ratings at 3 out of 5 stars, had only positive words to say, remarking on the band's progression away from catchy violin-driven melodies and toward music focused on the songwriting's impact.
