It feels like just last year I was writing about how Yellowcard had returned from their hiatus with an album packed to the brim with energy that rivaled their previous releases, including the unexpected smash hit Ocean Avenue. And that's because I did. After coming back from hiatus to release When You;re Through Thinking, Say Yes and its subsequent acoustic rendition, Yellowcard scooped up a headlining spot on 2012's Warped Tour, returning to the Main Stage. And just before braving the summer heat, the band finished up their third full-length album release in two years, Southern Air. The album didn't come without reservations, however: violinist Sean Mackin was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, and with Southern Air being released so shortly after Through Thinking, have they exhausted themselves to simply churn out another album to stay relevant?
The better question you should ask yourself is this: why would you expect anything other than greatness from Yellowcard? Southern Air is yet another example of why Yellowcard is one of the best pop-rock bands of this generation. Leading off with "Awakening," an ode to a lost love, Ryan Key's voice begins low as he croons the song's chorus, and then the band explodes into one of the faster songs of the album. Southern Air keeps a brisk pace throughout, including tracks like "Sleep in the Snow," the album's title track, and the anthemic "Always Summer." The pacing is faster than When You're Through Thinking, an album that focused more on the instrumentals, while Southern Air shows a deeper focus on Key's lyrics and songwriting. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities for the band's musicianship to shine, as evidenced by Sean Mackin's perfectly placed solo in "Always Summer," Ryan Mendez's elaborate solo on "Rivertown Blues," and it's all backed wonderfully (yet again) by famed drummer LP.
As stated earlier though, much of the focus on Southern Air will be on Key's songwriting, and that's because it's the best it's ever been. After a mature offering on Through Thinking, Key's vocals feel more light-hearted this time around, but that's not an indication of lost meaning. In fact, "Ten" will likely become known by fans as one of the band's most emotionally jarring songs, and shows Key dealing with a deeply personal issue that's left for the listener to find meaning in. Aside from "Ten," many of the songs find Key dealing with lost love, including "Always Summer," "A Vicious Kind," and "Sleep in the Snow."
Another interesting twist on Southern Air has been the collaborations that the band employed during the recording process. "Here I am Alive" was co-written with Patrick Stump (formerly of Fall Out Boy), and finds Key recalling the time when Yellowcard was on top of the world, and "Here I am Alive" serves as his middle finger to all the detractors who doubted Yellowcard would return to form. The song is one of two on Southern Air that features We are the In Crowd vocalist Tay Jardine, and on the other, "Telescope," she isn't alone. The track also features All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth and Hey Monday's Cassadee Pope as well, and the harmonies provided prove to be one of the many highlights of the album.
Put simply, the summer of 2012 may prove to be the summer of Yellowcard. The band's return from hiatus has been constantly productive and impactful, and the band may have reached yet another peak with the release of Southern Air. After When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes, it would have been fine for the band to tour off of it and their hallowed back catalogue, but instead, the band returned to the studio and have delivered what may be their best album since Ocean Avenue.
The Bottom Line: There's nothing left I can say about Southern Air that will convince you to listen to this album. If you like the band, you'll love the album.
Recommended if You Rock: Yellowcard's Paper Walls, Jack's Mannequin's Everything in Transit, going to the beach, sand castles, bonfires, other things found in summer.
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