It seemed appropriate to kick off 2012 with my favorite album of 2011 (did you read yesterday's special post?). As I mentioned there, I got to see this band live at the Stone Pony on November 1st, and every minute was great. I didn't know any songs from this album yet, but the performance was still flawlessly enjoyable.
Ten years ago, Yellowcard performed in New Jersey for the first time (same town as when I saw them this year), and I was there. I remember it was the very end of the day at Warped Tour, and I was exhausted. I had been tossed around by my hair earlier, had little water available all day in 100 degree weather, and my then boyfriend and I had lost our entire group. But, at the very back of the festival, was the small stage that lesser-known bands were populating all day. The last band to perform there for the day was Yellowcard, and as I stood off from the crowd, I remember crying to "Only One". I was so exhausted, but so overwhelmed by how much I was enjoying what I was hearing. This is one of those instances that the band has yet to give me a song I don't like.
They had released 6 albums before this, and then went on a 2-year hiatus. Luckily, I was out of touch enough to not know until they came back together in 2010. They came back with this album though, in 2011, and you could tell when you watched their show how much it meant to be back on the stage.
To start things off, here are two videos. This band has a great way of getting everything and anything to their fans through their YouTube page. They really utilize it in a great way to make the most of the marketing possibilities.
Anywhos, the first video is the official trailer for the album. The second was released the day the album was, encouraging the purchase - I just wanted to show you them as a little quirky and fun. :)
"For You and Your Denial" was the first single to come off of this album. Here's the video:
"With You Around" is fantastic. Young love put to music. God it's so optimistic about love it almost makes me hopeful, lol. Seriously though, this chorus is just fun and you can't help dancing a little to it. "And now I wanna chase forever down - with you around." Everything about this screams car ride with the windows down and blaring speakers.
I remember immediately liking "Hang You Up" at that concert. It's actually pretty tough to get through if you ever lost a love. It's quite heartbreaking, but the way the music spins you into the story and entraps you in the feelings just makes you love it all over. This was the second single from the album, and here's the video for it:
"Life of Leaving Home" is just... interesting. I feel like this is a really great anthem for a lot of people. It's about leaving and going for your dreams. "I am awake and alive - there is something calling me. More than a moment in time - it's a dream I'm following on my own... on my own. More than a moment in time - it's a life of leaving home." And yeah, that hurts and it's so tough, but it's so true. This could just as easily be an homage to touring as a band and keeping at it. Music about music.
The next song, "Hide," is another one about former love and looking back. It's a call back to what used to be. I'm having a tough time wrapping my head around this one lyrically. He's saying you can come find him when you're ready, he might be exactly where you two used to be. I think?
"Soundtrack" is not a description of times like I thought it would be. It's a request: be the music that accompanies my life. Be with me. In other words, when you're through thinking, say yes. (See what I did there?) It's fantastic lyrically when you're really listening intently.
Alright, this is the song I've been waiting for the entire CD. "Sing For Me." An incredibly beautiful song about having lost someone wonderful, but also about survival of us all. Get taken away in music for a second and check out this powerful music video:
"See Me Smiling" kicks the energy back up. Yes, we've parted, and yeah, I'm okay - but see me now and see I'm okay. You're close to me in memory and that's what's necessary. It's an uplifting song, however you need to take it for - breakup, or, the more serious topic of death and loss.
Finally, there's "Be The Young" which I would bet money will be the next single. It's the anthem of the album. Despite the fact they've been around for 10+ years, these guys keep an incredibly youthful attitude to their music, and it's so great. I think the fans like me who have truly grown up with them can appreciate this the most. We'll always be those that sing lyrics at the top of our lungs, who feel the most, and hurt the deepest. We'll forever be the young.
- "The Sound of You and Me" - Spotify, YouTube
- "With You Around" - Spotify, YouTube
- "Hang You Up" - Spotify, YouTube
- "Life of Leaving Home" - Spotify, YouTube
- "Soundtrack" - Spotify, YouTube
- "Sing For Me" - Spotify, YouTube
- "Be The Young" - Spotify, YouTube
Oh, and I got all those YouTube links from their official site - they provide every single song to fans for free right there. Have I mentioned I adore this album? And this band? I tried to be critical in my choices, and still managed to love 7 out of the 10 tracks on the album. This brings me back to their Ocean Avenue days, where every song is just great, and they maintain energy and messages that do great things.
As a new year treat, I wanted to share this little video with y'all. They covered "E.T." on this awesome series billboard.com does, and I just love it. You've never heard this song (which I hate on a normal basis) like this before!!!