2017 will mark the twentieth anniversary of pop-punkers Yellowcard forming, and it will also be their final year as a band. After recently announcing their plans to split after a final world tour, the band have released their tenth and last eponymous record. Fittingly, the first single released from this album is album opener Rest In Peace. It doesn’t take long for Sean Mackin’s trademark violin to kick in and render Rest In Peace a melancholic but no less solid start.
This album features curiosities such as Empty Street, originally a demo from frontman Ryan Key and ex-bassist Sean O’Donnell‘s side-project Big If. On this album, it enjoys the benefit of improved production and similarly, I’m A Wrecking Ball comes a long way from the original demo recorded by Key, guitarist Ryan Mendez and Inspection’s 12 frontman Dan McLintock in 2008.
Disappointingly, this record lacks many memorable numbers which reside comfortably with Yellowcard’s previous few efforts. Even big fans will admit most of their records since their Ocean Avenue days have underwhelmed, and this record is no exception. That isn’t to say their final album is a bad one, but it’s hard not to have high expectations for a farewell.
Yellowcard Australian Tour with Like Torches
Feb. 15th – Capital, Perth
Feb. 17th – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Feb. 18th – The Triffid, Brisbane
Feb. 21st – The Gov, Adelaide
Feb. 23rd – Max Watt’s, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
Feb. 24th – Max Watt’s, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
Feb. 25th – Corner Hotel, Melbourne (playing “Ocean Avenue” in full) (SOLD OUT)
