Artist: Yellowcard
Album: When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes
Genre: Pop Rock
Label: Hopeless

I said it before and I’ll say it again, evolution is natural. The fact your favorite band/artist is actually addressing their current mindset as opposed to how they felt when your favorite album came out should in no way affect how you view them as artists. People have to understand that art is relative and what connects with them only does so because certain events in their life has molded them to view the world in that specific way. Also, just because you agree with someone on one aspect of life doesn’t mean you agree about everything or that you even agree for the same reasons. It’s all relative and we all recognize that to a certain extent, but time and time again artists are called out for simply growing as people and the repercussions can forever hinder a group/individual’s creative process. However, as Yellowcard have proven with their latest release, the results of remaining true to yourself are better than pandering could ever produce.

When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes may be the most perfectly titled album to hit streets this year. It may seem unnecessarily long at first, but the impact of the phrase and how it compliments the feel of the record are undeniable. To me, this is an album about life and the choices we make (or choose not to). It speaks to a life in progress, as opposed to one still launching like much of their earlier.

“The Sound Of You And Me,” the album’s anthemic opener, is sure to pull fans new and old into the record with a timeless pop punk feel that’s blended flawlessly into modern alt-rock. It’s catchy, enthralling, and fresh sounding while retaining the spirit of the group’s previous. This strong start is then continued with “For You, And Your Denial” and “With You Around” keeping things upbeat and lyrically deep before “Hang You Up” goes straight for the heart with the group’s strongest ballad to date.

As we cross the album’s halfway mark with “Life Of Leaving Home” it becomes evident this album is the band’s most fully conceived record to date. In the words of Sum 41, this is an “all killer, no filler” album that will continually catch you off guard. “Hide” brings what most would consider the typical Yellowcard sound, but the mood quickly evolves into something more adult with the alternative infused “Soundtrack.” However, neither of these hold are good enough to be compared with the record’s second ballad, “Sing For Me.” I don’t mean to keep ranting about the band’s level of skill with the ballads on this record but they are incredible. If you thought “Hang You Up” tore you up, try this one and see how long recovery takes.

When it is all said and done, I doubt anyone will think twice before saying this is Yellowcard’s strongest release to date. All the maturity we found in bits and pieces on their previous work has finally come together in just the right way and the results are undeniable. Ryan Key’s lyrics speak of a life of love, loss, regret, and hope while the band plays the soundtrack to the human existence in the background. This isn’t a record for every generation, nor one that will define a lifetime, but I’ll be damned if it won’t hit home with anyone whose found it difficult to understand their love for others like they understand their love for music.

Score: 9.5/10
Review written by: James Shotwell

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James Shotwell

James Shotwell is the founder of Under The Gun Review. He loves writing about music and movies almost as much as he loves his two fat cats. He's also the co-founder of Antique Records and the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

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