Review:

on 2010-08-02 george3724 Said:

Yellowcard once again makes an incredible album, but this time, it is the last album before their indefinite hiatus. This album did not receive as much mainstream notice as Ocean Avenue but was equally good or perhaps even surpassing it in quality (the main reason for the lack of success for Paper Walls was that Yellowcard only released one single from the album, meaning little radio play and recognition).

Yellowcard opens with The Takedown, track 1 of this incredible album. Although The Takedown is not one of my favorite songs from the album, it does display great guitar playing, with a great intro, riffs, and solo. The Takedown eventually becomes a playable track on the game Rock Band.

Number two on the list, Fighting, is one of my favorites from the album. Being about struggle, Ryan Key writes a great verse with great rhythm and a chorus, thought short, that is incredibly powerful. There is also a popular fan made video featuring the Transformers movie on Youtube.

Shrink the World is another song that has made it to the top of my list of favorites. Ryan Key writes another powerful chorus that makes the pop punk in Yellowcard shine. "If I could then I, would shrink the world inside, so that i could find, you and me inside".

Now the song Keeper. For the unhappy lover, no other love song can top Keeper. Ryan Key perfectly describes the unhappy lover with heartfelt lyrics. As everyone one day will experience loving someone who is just not interested. The emotions you will feel are all in this song. I would quote it here but... you just have to listen for yourself.

Light Up the Sky is the only single from Paper Walls. It was quite a successful single, matching the success of Ocean Avenue and Only One. The dark, "punkish" lyrics ride on a great, catchy riff. Moreover, Light Up the Sky has one of the greatest drum beats, all props to L.P.

Shadows and Regrets is one of Yellowcard's acoustics. The song gives off a deep sadness but is worth listening to but the song is also quite beautiful to the ear. Ryan Key's vocals is smooth and powerful and is backed by a symphony like background, due to the assortment of instruments and the unique violin.

Five Becomes Four will really really make you rock out. The fast paced violin is mixed with both the guitars and the drums. The only way to describe this is "Awesome song".

(I don't have much to say about Afraid and Date Line. However, both are great songs that don't disappoint)

Now Dear Bobbie is a great song for the starcrossed lovers. An old man tells a story of how he met his sweetheart and the times when they were young on his deathbed. The touching tale turns from the man to Ryan Key, mixing the story with heartfelt lyrics. "When I die, then I'll die loving you, loving you~~~, loving you~".

You And Me And One Spotlight may receive different opinions but this song has my favorite verse melody of all time. The chorus disappoints a little but the verse is my all time favorite.

Cut Me, Mick has a great chorus on the other hand. "You are the one that I need, you know that I can still breath..." Paper Walls is a wholesome song and a fitting ending for the album.

Paper Walls was the bands best album so far. However it was unfortunate that the band went on hiatus soon after the album. But the good news is, Yellowcard is back and working on a new record. I expect it will be the best record yet.
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2007-08-08 blueandyellow Said:

1. The Takedown (4/5)

2. Fighting (5/5)

3. Shrink The World (3/5)

4. Keeper (4/5)

5. Light Up The Sky (4/5)

6. Shadows And Regrets (4/5)

7. Five Becomes Four (5/5)

8. Afraid (4/5)

9. Date Line (I Am Gone) (3/5)

10. Dear Bobbie (3/5)

11. You And Me And One Spotlight (4/5)

12. Cut Me, Mick (4/5)

13. Paper Walls (3/5)



Total Score: 3.85/5.00


* Not quite Ocean Avenue, but damn close. There aren't really any weak tracks other than "Dear Bobbie", and that's only because Ryan Key's grandfather's voice sounds like the pedophile from "Family Guy". For that I couldn't take what should be a really great song seriously.
Rating: 8/10