Yellowcard - Better Days (October 10, 2025) • Page 18

That's how I am with the new TSL album. What a two-punch

 

I’d say I’m more of a casual fan of this band; I have checked out every album more than a few times but the only ones I’ve ever really lived with are OA and Southern Air. On first listen, this one definitely feels like it will join those in my personal Yellowcard pantheon.

It’s so exciting to hear a band come back and make powerful and vital music that justifies the wait. Part of that is Barker pounding the shit out of the drums and the band locating some absolutely perfect guitar sounds — the production here is pristine without sucking the life out of it — but none of it would work without some of the best vocals of Key’s career and locked-down songwriting. These songs get in and out and pack a punch, full of catharsis and energy. Great hooks and the band is propelling themselves forward when lots of folks at their stage would be slowing down the tempos. Have never seen them live but I hope to on this tour.

I’m very happy I didn’t overplay the singles because they are really, really good, and that first four track run is as wonderful and energetic as everyone says. But guys, I think the B-side blows it out of the water. “City of Angels” is fantastic, a cavernous heavenscraper of a ballad that builds into something really danceable and end credits-y. Ran it back immediately. “Skin Scraped” is an immediate favorite with that bass and vocal combo — love how that filtered shouty vocal in the postchorus reminds of my favorite era of Sum 41. “Barely Alive” does that classic thing where you write the epic closer and put it in the penultimate slot. Then “Big Blue Eyes” just fucking breaks me, man… I’m a new father, you can’t do this to me. What a wonderful first listen this morning.

 

Well, here it is: On moving forward when you worry your best is behind you. On late-career albums and how we relate to music as we age. And more than anything just a giant round of flowers for Yellowcard and our music scene.

Once mocked, now undeniable.

Review: Yellowcard – Better Days

 

Really good album and very happy for the band. I am glad things worked out the way they did with an EP and then the album. This already fits right in with some of their best material.

 

Ok City of Angels is insane. What an album. These guys working with TB is an absolute dream team.

 

Seems like some of those users complaining about not connecting to new music as you as age seeped through your thoughts lol...perfect rebuttal for those sentiments here.

Great review!

 

"I'm too young, to be this old."

This line hurts more than any lyric of the decade.

 

Oh my goodness, I was not prepared for the singles to be my least favorite songs on this haha. Was gearing up for an album that I knew I would like but was afraid would be a bit too Blink-y for me, but this is a top tier YC album. Was not at all prepared for Barely Alive, instantly one of my favorite things they've ever done.

 

Thanks!

As has seeped into conversations here and there over the past few months this has been on my mind a lot lately. All these bands "coming back" all this new music and the music scene getting a reevaluation to some degree as being as important as we knew it was ... has me feeling shit. Glad I had an outlet to get it all out. This album helped me find what I've been trying to say.

 

Lol immediately laughed in the best way when the first line on the Skiba song referenced a vampire

 

Working until 6 today and probably gonna play this many many times over. Working remotely has its advantages lol

 

Wow. That was beautiful - got me all emotional. Thanks Jason. I’ve been here a looong time reading your reviews but never commenting. However your love for Yellowcard helped me feel like I wasn’t the only kid who cared - a lot. Yellowcard was a core identity for me - I preached their gospel long after Ocean Avenue - and now as a father with a mortgage, PTA responsibilities and busted ankles - I still turn to the music that guided my high school and college years and look back in fondness. But Better Days is exactly what I need NOW.

 

Thank you! And I'm glad you're here and sharing!

 

Third listen through and this is the most I’ve connected with an album on first listen since Glow On or One More Time. I love every track, but the curveballs like City of Angels and Big Blue Eyes are flooring me.

This album is a book from every shelf on your career library and it is an all killer, no filler effort. I can’t believe you thought you couldn’t write songs like this again. This community and millions more are so happy you tried again and came through the other side with this absolute gem. And holy fucking shit, I can’t wait to see you guys in Minneapolis on tour.

Thanks for being on here and caring about the fans. It means so much to so many of us to hear this record.

edit: my wife just came around the corner into my office because I didn’t realize how loud I was sniffling and quietly sobbing with my headphones on, listening to “City of Angels” when you sang “so give me a sunset and color the sky, tell me you love me and I’ll be alright.” So that’s an endorsement!

 

Bc I'm not in that world and insanely curious, what would it cost a band like YC to get Skiba and Avril to appear on a track? In our scene, are they ever done as favors? Do they just get royalties or is it an upfront fee? Does it take a bunch of lawyers?

 

Me too! And then that riff ... and god, that song rules. That and "City of Angels" on my first listen were the ones that put such a huge smile on my face.

 

This is the music that makes me feel the most alive and the most happy. Can't believe how perfect this record is after just one listen. Almost every song would be a highlight on a different record.

 

Seriously. All killer, no filler.

 

I still remember the Blink review and this hits as hard. I feel like I needed to read everything you're saying in the second half.

 

Ha! Literally almost just commented, "All killer, no filler." That was my very first thought after listening.

 

Thank you! One of the downsides of only being able to really write long form every once in a while these days is the feeling and pressure of really wanting to 1) have something to say and a unique angle or take worth (IMO) exploring, but 2) also of making it good and worth reading and living up to my expectations because I'm only able to do it every now and then.

 

This is an amazing review, and I resonate so deeply. I'm at a stage in my life where it feels like I haven't amounted to much. I had so many hopes, not just for myself, but for others around me. Lots of those were dashed. Listening to this feels like a reset. Not to sound overly sentimental, but I tend to focus more on what I've accomplished than what I've been given. Something about this music reminds me more of where I've been and it just makes me so grateful. In the good old days, I felt more present and wasn't so worried about who I was or who I was becoming and this takes me right back there. Truly one of the most comforting feelings. Current events be damned, I need to be more grateful.

 

Really enjoyed this. I did notice You Broke Me Too sounds like it came out of the same mold as So Far Away by Staind.

 

“All these years lost in love”, which reappears as a lyric in “You Broke Me Too” is definitely a lyric i’ve heard before in WRK’s solo work, I think the song was called “Downtown (Up North)”