You're probably right about this. And I pretty much appreciate that they tried something new. I'm fine with that and I'm happy they do what they want. I'll also be fine with another more experimental record, but Lift a Sail had something missing, so I couldn't "love" it like their previous albums unfortunately. So what remains is that you're right, that we already have enough classic YC records, but I just can't get enough of this.
But you realize this is selfish right? Like, I understand outgrowing a band: that happens sometimes and it's fine. But a lot of people seem to actively want this band not to grow so that they can hold onto nostalgia, which is weird to me. I also think trying to tap into nostalgia by making records that sound like your past records only works so well. If you want an album that sounds like that, wouldn't you just go back to the band's earlier records, instead of listening to an imitative version of it that you don't have any emotional connection with? That's a definite no-win scenario for bands like this. This isn't an attack of you, by the way. I completely understand where you're coming from and respect the fact that you thought the songwriting was a step down (though I disagree on that point). Yeah, those old records are still there. If the band never makes another pop punk record, that doesn't take away from what the early ones mean to you.
oh yeah, people shouldn't expect bands to do anything for them. i'm solely speaking from the personal point of view of why i didn't enjoy much of the record. i think lift a sail and transmission home are real good songs. i also think southern air is pretty much hands down their best record, so it's not solely the old school records that were drawing me in at that point (i think ocean avenue is objectively pretty bad at this point, the vocals kind of suck, the only thing drawing me back is how much i used to love those songs). i think of it this way: if a new band put out that record, would i listen to it and like it? probably not. the emotional connection to the band is what brings me back. the aspects of the band that make me feel nostalgic bring me back. good for them and trying to progress, i may have liked them more presently if they had done a slow and steady growth rather than many albums of the same before a potential progression. we'll see. but as i said, there's very little (if any) music that sounds like this that i even listen to at all now, and it takes a real important band to me to convince me it's good at all
You're spot on, Craig. Paper Walls is my favorite record ever and it will always be, but I'm totally OK with YC experimenting with music genres and songwriting processes that aren't strictly connected to pop punk.
This is probably a pretty good way of looking at it. Personally, any band in the scene puts out that record, I'm going to enjoy it. And I haven't liked much to come out of the scene lately.
Per Ryan Mendez's Twitter, a some mixes have been sent back already and the album artwork is drafted.
I've been on such a Paper Walls kick lately. I could listen to Keeper on repeat all day..such a great track.
i rarely listened to paper walls when i was into them, probably fourth on my list at my peak of liking them after southern air, WYTTSY, and ocean avenue. still has some jams though
ocean avenue-southern air-paper walls- when you are through thinking say yes- one for the kids- lift a sail-lights and sounds
Just sad to see such an incredible drummer going and a talentless guy filling in (sorry, but it's true).