Album Review: Various Artists - Punk Goes 90s, Vol. 2

Hello, friends! Donald here. Now, I know what you're thinking: they made another "Punk" Goes album? And Keep Calm is actually reviewing it? The answers, unfortunately, are yes and yes. When Craig and I reviewed Punk Goes Pop 5, we had a ton of fun with it, and for some reason Hopeless Records just can't give up the ghost, so here we are again. Punk Goes 90s, Vol. 2 actually has a few intriguing storylines, thanks to the triumphant return of Yellowcard to the mix, the inexplicable spotlight Ronnie Radke continues to be given, and the fact that the Fearless Records got away from having bands do pop covers. With that, let's sift through the mud together. There may be gold awaiting (but probably not)!

(Writer's note: as per our tradition, Donald will be posting a small review of each cover, while Craig will be posting a .gif of his reaction to each track. Fasten your seat belts.)

Album Review: Yellowcard- Southern Air

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.

Get behind it! 'Like' Yellowcard on Facebook and/or follow them on Twitter!

Warped Tour 2012, through Donald's eyes

Warped Tour has taken its lumps over the last five years. Hopping on the newest scene hype trains across the country, the tour seemed to have lost its luster in the scene. Nevertheless, it's still the cheapest way to see almost every one of your favorite bands in the summer, and the experience of being around so many people who have (somewhat) similar tastes in music as you is worth the price of admission alone. So here I am, at 21 years old, writing to tell you that for the fourth straight year, and fifth year out of the last six, I made the trek to wherever Warped was being held in the great state of New Jersey (this year, it was at PNC Bank Arts Center).

This year, however, there was a bit of a different experience for me at Warped Tour. Sure, I packed my bag for the day like I always do, but it was what was in that bag that was different. I caught as many sets as I could, but missed a few. But it wasn't due to the schedule of when the bands played, it was the busy schedule I had to keep up with. The schedule that has produced the three videos you'll see below, and one of the most important things to happen to this show. They are interviews with Yellowcard, The Used, and Of Mice and Men, but they carry more weight than that. They carry a certain sense of accomplishment, for me at least. But it isn't the fact that I was able to go to the box office and get a press wristband. The true joy of this was to be able to post these for all of you to listen to.

I can tell you all about every band I saw. I can say things like Bayside continues to be the best-sounding live band out there, or that Transit's emotional blend of pop-punk and emo sounds as good on an acoustic set as it does during their energetic full-band sets. I can tell you that the crowds surrounding the Main Stage for Of Mice & Men, New Found Glory, and Yellowcard need to be seen in order for you to believe it. I can tell you that Fireworks played like a band who's bound to be the next big band with a cult-like following. I can tell you that Buddy Neilson of Senses Fail is reason enough to see the band in concert, or that Matty Arsenault of A Loss for Words is poised to be the scene's next great frontman. Whoops, I guess I just said all of that. So, there you go. Now you know what Warped was like for me outside of the Press Room. Now, let's get to the good stuff. My interviews with Jeph and Dan from The Used,  Ryan Key of Yellowcard, and Austin and Tino from Of Mice & Men can be listened to below.

The Used:

Yellowcard:

Of Mice & Men:

A big thank you to Jeph and Dan of The Used, Ryan of Yellowcard, and Austin and Tino of Of Mice & Men for taking the time out of their schedules for the interviews. And to those who are reading, I hope you enjoyed them. If you have the opportunity to head to Warped Tour this year, do it. There's no better concert experience this summer, or any other time of the year. 

Song of the Week, 4/11: Yellowcard- "Hang You Up"

What is it?: "Hang You Up" was the first single and music video from Yellowcard's first album back from their hiatus (which began in 2007), When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes. The song is a slower number, which features some of frontman Ryan Key's signature heartfelt vocals, and drummer LP still finds a way to prove himself as one of the most formidable drummers in modern rock, all in a matter of four minutes.

Why is it song of the week?: Well, for starters, Yellowcard is a great spring/summer band, and with Memorial Day (the official start of summer) a mere 40(ish) days away, the band somehow gets better the longer the sun is out. Plus, as if it couldn't getting any better listening to songs like "Ocean Avenue" or "Light Up the Sky," the band have now confirmed that they have finished work on a new album, which means you'll soon have more Yellowcard jams to blast through your car's speakers with the windows down on your way to the beach. So, really, "Hang You Up" is just a placeholder. Nevertheless, Yellowcard continues to churn out good news after coming back from their hiatus. And the video for this song is great.

Where can I find it?: Here.

12 Days of Christmas, Day 8: The Best Band Reunions of 2010

2010 wasn't just a year for bands establishing their careers; it was also for bands who revitalized their careers. In a move that was likely started by blink-182's announcement at the Grammy's, many bands set aside their differences and reunited to tour, record, or a little bit of both. And with that, let the listing begin for the best bands who reunited (if only for a little while) in 2010:

12 Days of Christmas, Day 2: Most Anticipated Albums of 2011

With 2010 producing so many prime choices for Album of the Year, 2011's releases sure do have some big shoes to fill. Thankfully, there are some big names out there who are poised to put out albums, and each and every one of them has the potential to contend for the illustrious AOTY crown. So without further ado, let the anticipation begin:

Bayside- Killing Time (Feb. 22) 
While pop-punk went to the neon-clad teeny-boppers, Bayside were busy perfecting their craft, and deciding to focus on the "punk" part of the genre with each new release, starting with the blockbuster The Walking Wounded. Now, with Killing Time slated to drop in late February, Bayside are looking to clean up the streets so they can rule them once again, and if the two singles the band have released ("Already Gone" and "Sick, Sick, Sick") are any indication, this could be Bayside's hardest-hitting album yet.

Yellowcard- When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes (Mar. 22)
Earlier this year, Yellowcard shocked the scene with the announcement that they had reformed, with all members intact. If the Blink-182 reunion was any indication, we'd be waiting over a year and a half for the album that resulted from the reunion. However, eager to get back out and thank their fans for begging for their reunion, the band went to work and tirelessly churned out a new album, and are set to tour with All Time Low to support it. Let's recap: Yellowcard announced their reunion a year and a half after Blink-182 announced theirs, and have now written, recorded, and finished a new album before Blink-182 has even started theirs. Great job, Yellowcard.

All Time Low- Dirty Work (Spring)
Sell outs? Pretty boys? Overrated? There are a lot of things you can call All Time Low these days, but one of them is consistent: they've now released a full-length every other year since 2007 (So Wrong, It's Right), and each of their releases has been even catchier than and as ballsy as their last release. Now, with the Dirty Work put in on a new album, will this finally be All Time Low's opportunity to break through to the mainstream?

Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (DRUGS)- (Yet to be Titled) (Feb.?)
The epitome of the term "scene supergroup" is poised to take over next year. The release date is up in the air at this point, but frontman Craig Owens has told fans that the band is shooting for a February release, but whenever the band should decide to drop the album, the scene is going to erupt, for better or worse.

Taking Back Sunday- (Yet to be Titled) (Release Date unknown)
Now armed with the same lineup that released the scene classic Tell All Your Friends, Taking Back Sunday has entered the studio to hopefully rebound from the disastrous New Again, and with the re-addition of John Nolan, look to add to the already winning formula the band have followed pre-New Again. The release date is still to be seen, but the band have recently said that they have begun working on the final song, and the album will most certainly see the light of day in 2011.

As you can see, some big names line the guest list of bands who are releasing new material, and I'm sure I missed a few. So who did I miss? What albums are you looking forward to next year? Leave it in the comments, my pretties.

Recommendation for the Week, 10/17-10/23

Let me preface this week by saying that I hate Taylor Swift. I hate how quickly she's risen to the top of the pop music world, I hate that stupid song she wrote about Kanye that she performed at the 2010 VMAs, and I hate that she's somehow still considered a country artist. Her "I'm the underdog/girl next door" image is so outplayed that it makes me sick. We get it, Taylor: you speak for kids who are normal, just like you want them to think you are. Whatever.

As much as I hate T-Swift, there is something I respect her for: the introduction of the concept of "our song." This was brought to my attention by her song "Our Song" (such an original title, right? she's so unique), which came up with the concept of a couple using a song to personify their relationship. Whether or not the couple lasts, its likely they'll think of each other whenever that song is played. Personally, I think it's just another romantic movie cliche to fill teenage girls' heads with expectations men will never (and I mean never) be able to fill, so I tried to avoid the "our song." But regardless of how bitter and jaded I am, there are still plenty of couples out there who like to do adorable things and make single people sick to their stomachs, and I have a playlist ready for those couples searching for their song, and here they are:

10. Train- "Hey, Soul Sister": There are so many reasons for people to hate this song, and there are just as many couples that love it uncontrollably. How Train were able to beat everyone to the punch and write this simple, ukulele-driven song, and took over the airwaves in early 2010 is still beyond me. Its relevance lasted long into the summer, as many couples undoubtedly sucked face for countless hours listening to "Hey, Soul Sister" on repeat. If you were single in 2010, you were likely miserable, and Train's career-solidifying smash surely didn't make matters any better.
Mushyest Line: "Your sweet moonbeam, the smell of you in every single dream I dream."

9. Paramore- "The Only Exception": While I will never be coy about my love for Hayley Williams, I will say that I thought I caught on to her songwriting technique: she loves to play the jaded girl. Whether she's singing about her hatred for boys ("Here We Go Again"), other girls ("Misery Business"), and even her own bad decisions ("That's What You Get"), Hayley's always played the angry girl who's ready to take the world by storm with her band. But on Paramore's 2009 release brand new eyes, Hayley threw us all a curveball in the form of "The Only Exception." And while there's still a hint of bitterness laced in the verses, Williams provides her most uplifting chorus of the band's young career, and united a few couples in the process.
Mushyest Line: "You are the only exception, and I'm on my way to believing it."

8. We the Kings- "Check Yes Juliet": We the Kings is one of those bands who I never saw the appeal for. To me, they've always been BoysLikeGirls's little brothers, writing songs about half as catchy and, quite frankly, half as good as those found on any BLG album. But for one shining moment, WtK rose above the shadow of BoysLikeGirls to make "Check Yes Juliet," one of the more underrated pop-rock songs to be released in the last five years. Its chorus is one of the catchiest you'll find, and it's as cute as the first batch of Beanie Babies.
Mushyest Line: "Check yes, Juliet, I'll be waiting, wishing, wanting, yours for the taking."

7. The Years Gone By- "Stay Close": You likely have no idea who The Years Gone By are, and that needs to change. The band caught a bad rep by signing to scenecore label Rise Records and didn't get the right amount of publicity for their awesome debut release Forever Comes too Soon. "Stay Close" was a standout track from that album, as it was one of many that plucked at couples' heartstrings. While other songs like "Tear Down the Stars" and "You Might as Well Be in Space" are prime cuts for "our song" material, it's "Stay Close" that has the most undeniable catchiness, and can also be used as the definitive The Years Gone By track.
Mushyest Line: "I don't ever want to wake up without you by my side. I don't ever want to have to fill those shoes. And I'll just hope you stay close."

6. Yellowcard- "Light Up the Sky": While "Ocean Avenue" has its cuteness cemented in the hearts of many, let's not forget that its a song about a lost summer romance. That's why "Light Up the Sky" is my selection for Yellowcard's best couples' song. The chorus is nearly as soaring as "Ocean Avenue," and the bridge keeps the heart in the song like no other. Yellowcard recently reformed after a few-year hiatus, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a set of theirs without "Light Up the Sky," and you'll be sure to see it on facebook statuses of boyfriends and girlfriends for a long time to come.
Mushyest Line: "How will we know if we just don't try? We won't ever know. Let me light up the sky, light it up for you."

5. This Providence- "My Beautiful Rescue": If you look over the Fueled by Ramen Records roster, you'll see the likes of Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Gym Class Heroes, and Panic! at the Disco. However, you'll also find the often-overlooked This Providence, who write some of the simplest, cutest songs this side of Colbie Callait. Only problem is, they're probably the band that has generated the least amount of revenue for the label, and therefore haven't been given the shot at the mainstream they rightfully deserve. One of the best examples of This Providence's radio-ready bubble-gum pop anthems is "My Beautiful Rescue." Driven by an acoustic guitar, the ultimate instrument of love, the song simply personifies the beginnings of a beautiful relationship, and is still a song I go back to when I'm in a good mood to this day.
Mushyest Line: "I'm falling more in love with every single word you say. I'm falling head over heels for you."

4. The Dangerous Summer- "Where I Want to Be": When you play Reach for the Sun, the debut album from The Dangerous Summer, from front to back, your ears are first blessed with "Where I Want to Be," the band's stellar proof that though The Starting Line are gone, there are plenty of bands left to carry the torch of pop-punk, and The Dangerous Summer seem to have a firm grip on the torch. "Where I Want to Be" is a bonifide single that combines heartfelt lyrics with precise musicianship and an honesty that isn't found in the pop-punk scene too often.
Mushyest Line: "You are my song, and you are where I want to be."

3. The Starting Line- "Island": There is simply no way I can mention bands who carry the torch after The Starting Line without mentioning the original torchbearers themselves. While TSL are most well-known for their smash single "Best of Me," its "Island" that gets credit for being it's best couples' song. The chorus is quick to get stuck in your head, while Kenny Vasoli's nasally voice sings the lyrics bands like Mayday Parade and Every Avenue, and maybe even Fall Out Boy wished they could have written first.
Mushyest Line: "If we survive, get out alive, I'd like to say how beautiful I think you are. Just keep a hold of me, don't let go."

2. Dashboard Confessional- "Hands Down (Acoustic)": Alright, I'm sure when the theme of the week was introduced, most people's minds automatically went to Chris Carraba's bleeding heart. Dashboard Confessional is the arena into which that bleeding heart flows, and it took a turn for the romantic on his breakthrough single "Hands Down." And while many people know about the full-band version, its the acoustic version that Carraba's emotion shines through and creates a more relatable atmosphere to the song. "Hands Down" has become the perfect first date song, and has the potential to define relationships long after Carraba stops letting us in on his deepest emotions.
Mushyest Line: "My heart is yours to fill or burst, to break or bury, whichever you prefer."

1. Amber Pacific- "Poetically Pathetic": While they parted ways with vocalist Matt Young (and all of their relevancy with him) years ago, Amber Pacific are simply the band to play to impress/flatter your partner, bringing them to tears in the best way possible. This is not an appreciation of "Poetically Pathetic," however; rather, it is a celebration of the band's many classics, like "Always You," "Summer (In B)" and "Save Me From Me." Any of those gems belonged in this list, but its "Poetically Pathetic" that shines through as the band's standout track, and couples eat it up like chocolates on Valentine's Day. It's cheesy, it's catchy, and the only way you can relate to it is if you find that special someone to share it with. You've likely seen the lyrics in a facebook status or two by now, and there are so many adorable lines that you've probably been able to piece the entire song together, but it wouldn't be fair to AmPa to not pay my respects to the cutest song I've ever heard.
Mushyest Line: "If it were you and me tonight, I would tame the stars, and save the brightest one for you."

As I make all of these recommendations each week, I start by listing all of the songs that come to my mind when I think of the certain theme. The list I made for this week's was by far the longest I've made. There were so many great songs that were left off, so many debates I had with friends as to which songs were included for which band. It's certainly a topic that's open to suggestion, and I would love it if you left your mushy, cute, and lovey-dovey songs in the comments. Let's get this love boat a-floatin'!