Yellowcard

“Stop, turn, take a look around, At all the lights and sounds, let ’em bring you in. Slow, burn, let it all fade out, and pull the curtain down…” Lights and Sounds is the perfect song by Yellowcard to open their concert set. It embodies the sentiments of all of those who continue to gather to enjoy live music of any kind.

After enduring the opening bands in anticipation of Yellowcard, then walking out on the headliner’s performance for the first time in my music memory, I have to say I wish the line up was organized differently. The opening band, The Summer Set, was a younger bunch with a complete pop-punk sound and an early New Found Glory-esque vocalist. They were followed by Hey Monday, most comparable to Paramore, led by a strong female singer. Unfortunately my personal taste eliminates them from my queues due to my preference for deeper vocals, yet the group seemed to be a crowd pleaser. Although these bands serve their place in the music industry, providing hope for up-and-coming artists, they were simply ornaments that were trying to cling to the true centerpiece of the event.

I was there for Yellowcard, the real headliner in my eyes. They broke into alternative popular culture early when I was in high school. My favorite CD released during this era, in 2001, was One for the Kids, their third release in the bands beginning years. Although they avoided yielding reference to this particular album, they played on to performing a few tunes from their most popular including Lights and Sounds, Ocean Avenue and their most recent, When you’re through with thinking, Say Yes.

I have heard about the incredible stage presence that Yellowcard has when they perform live, but only now do I fully understand. The separating element that the band brings to the music world is the introduction of a violinist into alternative rock. All musicians to me are artists, no matter the instrument. Those who play the more classical forms may think they are limited to performing in grand symphonies in order to gain respect and recognition. Yellowcard shatters that perception and opens the doors to expression, proving that these talents can gain respect as being a part of a music group in the more non-traditional realm.

The band has such lyrical and distinguished ability. The single “Believe” displays all of this and tells us that everything is going to be all right, to “Be Strong, Believe.” I love this because it is such a positive message that was formed in the face of fear. It was a poem to melodies that expressed what it was like for the youth of my generation to live through the attacks of 9/11. It is our responsibility to remember our history and to help those who follow to know the importance of freedom.

As the show continued, Yellowcard introduced tracks from their new album. First up was an acoustic number that was quite catchy called “Hang You Up.” Although I found myself enjoying its raw sound of the song, I can see how during the concert debrief with my fellow fans, some expressed disappointment in its similarity to the commercialized “Hey there Delilah,” by The Plain White T’s. After so much time in the spotlight, there sometimes is a natural progression in a band’s later years to evolve into a more standardized sound. This tendency aside, Yellowcard will always resonate as a musically innovative band that is not afraid of crossing musical boundaries.