I have one question to ask of those who have already listened: how are the bridges? That was the part of Lift a Sail that was so incredibly lackluster, and it still leaves me surprised as to how strange they are. This is a band that has absolutely incredible bridges that lift the songs to new heights, but on the last record they decided to just to pause the song completely, have some ethereal/atmospheric action going on very quietly in the background, and then to bring it all back out of nowhere. Just bewildering, and it really hurt a lot of songs on that record IMO.
I'll offer a completely different opinion. This is some of Yellowcard's best work. All I could think about last night was: "They're quitting at their best". These songs offer such variety, such emotion, such depth. This record gripped me from the beginning and shook me with the first four tracks, lullabied me with a few others, then sent me to an emotional high and low with Fields & Fences. I can't say this is my favorite album just yet, but I can say that it is the most immediately emotional for me. They truly put together an incredible farewell album - and an incredible catalog. Yellowcard deserves so much more credit than the industry, the media, or the critics give them.
It's pretty easily their most dynamic album. How a person with ears can listen to "Rest in Peace" or "A Place We Set Afire" or "Leave a Light On" or "Empty Street" or "Fields & Fences" and call them "lifeless" and "flat" is beyond me. There's more to the life and texture of a song than vicious drum fills and pop punk choruses.
Listening to new album now. I'm enjoying it. Can't wait to see them live in December :) first and last time seeing them.
About to listen now. I listened to Lift a Sail on my way home tonight and thought "What the hell was I thinking?". I love so many of those songs. I think what turns me off is after "Transmission Home", it just drones a little bit, but man. "Illuminate" through "Lift a Sail" might be my favorite run of Yellowcard songs on any record. I was kind of trying to place it, and I think I love those songs individually, but a lot of the ones at the beginning don't do much for me one after another... Almost like I need more contrast of the old Yellowcard in there to make me appreciate it a little more.
In no particular order besides chronology and without the new album until a few more listens. Only One Back Home Lights and Sounds Words, Hands, and Hearts Gifts & Curses Afraid Bombers Telescope Southern Air California
I don't think a fan can ask for a better parting gift than this record. From my first show in 2004, to discovering other great bands on the YCMB, to our final two shows in November. Thanks for the memories, Yellowcard.
Haha i guess I didn't phrase it right. I've only listened once and I really liked it. It just made me really sad at the same time since it's the last yellowcard we will hear. Fields and fences is something special though. Damn. I'm waiting for my roommates to leave so I can blast this on my speakers.
was talking with @Craig Manning about this and I think this may end up being my favorite YC album. Its really something special and you can just FEEL it in every song, y'know? Like, this is just everything I wanted it to be not just in a YC album but in a final, curtain call album. Its them taking their excelling song craftsmanship, their talents, and their emotional appeal and just pushing it all to the limits and, much like Southern Air, just firing on all cylinders and delivering something so special and is an excellent capstone to a pretty stellar career.
I feel you. I think it'll take years for me to make the favorite YC album call, but otherwise I'm right there with you. It's a fantastic album and my overall opinion is going to hinge a lot on how it connects with my life in the coming weeks, months, and years.
I listened to Lift a Sail again today to cap off their discography week and I have to say I enjoy it more than I remember. Maybe it's because music taste has changed pretty heavily since it came out, maybe it's because I gave it another honest effort idk. It's a solid album but like someone said before, the songs are good but as a whole there is something "off" or some word to describe it that makes the album as a whole not equal to its parts. It's confusing. Also, Crash the Gate is easily the worst song off it.
I've seen this brought up about LaS a lot and haven't ever really understood it. The bridges described here happen 2 times out of the 13 songs on that album, and they just happen to be back to back haha But to answer your question, the bridges here are good. Definitely some really interesting ones, particularly What Appears and Savior's Robes.
Just listened through a couple of times... This record sounds like every other record put into one and then given an extra boost. Just what I would want for a grand finale. In comparison to that last album, it sounds like this time they actually felt confident in trying different styles whereas "Lift a Sail" maybe lacked a bit of direction. I'm not sure... "Got Yours" is up there with my favorite Yellowcard songs of all time, and I feel completely confident saying that. So fucking good.
I thought the follow-up to LaS was going to be an album that really perfected that direction in sound, sorta like Southern Air did for WYTTSY. That's why I always referred to LaS as a kind of transitional album. I'm actually a little surprised they didn't do more in that direction, but I also totally understand the desire to make a career spanning record on this one (and I think this turned out all the better for it).