“Lift a Sail,” Yellowcard’s newest album, released Oct. 7, tells a story of heartbreak, hope and resilience.
At first, the band’s traditional fans may be disappointed. But with time, the album proves to be just as tear-inducing as Yellowcard’s hit song, “Ten,” from its 2012 album, “Southern Air.”
“Lift a Sail” is not a concept album. Rather, it tells the story of front man Ryan Key’s past few years – a period of time in which he saw his wife paralyzed from the waist down, married her in her hospital bed and wrote a letter to his younger self about how he is going to learn what it really means to be a man – and to find magic in every moment.
Prior to the release of its ninth studio album, Yellowcard acknowledged that “Lift a Sail” would sound completely different from any of its previous work. With the departure of longtime drummer Longineu “LP” Parsons III, Yellowcard enlisted Anberlin drummer Nate Young as its guest percussionist. Without Young and his electronic background, this album may have never materialized.
With Parsons’ absence comes the departure from Yellowcard’s traditional pop-punk sound. “Lift a Sail” is marketed more as a traditional rock album, with the band citing ‘90s influences such as Foo Fighters and Nirvana. The album does not contain any clear-cut hit singles or summer anthems as fans have heard in the past. However, it may be the most complete start-to-finish album in Yellowcard’s catalogue.
Key’s knack for writing catchy songs remains as consistent as it has for years. Many of the band’s lyrics blatantly discuss Key’s wife’s recovery in her hospital bed. In “Illuminate,” Key sings, “As we ascend/Air will get thin/We’ll become ghosts/Together again,” highlighting a deeply emotional time.
The album changes drastically from Yellowcard’s previous work in terms of instrumentals. Lead guitarist Ryan Mendez does not hold back on “Lift a Sail,” with songs like “Transmission Home” and “Crash The Gates” showcasing the most intense riffs Mendez has ever unleashed.
Violinist Sean Mackin also capitalizes on his chance to explore new territory on the album.
“MSK” is comprised solely of Mackin and Young’s respective instruments, leaving ample room to expose how unbelievably amazing Key’s voice truly is. “Transmission Home,” the album’s second track, would not have the impact that it has without the album’s intro, “Convocation.” The track features a masterful display of Mackin’s versatility on the violin, providing the perfect lead-in to “Transmission Home.”
“Fragile and Dear” is the most experimental song on the album. It is dominated by a prominent electronic beat, which was brought into the studio courtesy of Young and his background with Anberlin. On “The Deepest Well,” Memphis May Fire’s Matty Mullins provides an admirable foil to Key’s vocals, with the two going back and forth in the verses before joining together on the chorus.
“One Bedroom” and “Lift a Sail” are both strikingly evocative. The former tells of the early stages of Key’s wife’s recovery and all the nights he spent in their one-bedroom apartment, not wanting to sleep. The title track manages to locate the epicenter between anguish and happiness. Key sings, “If a cold wind starts to rise/I am ready now/I am ready now/With the last sail lifted high/I am ready now/I am ready now.” He explains that he is grown up and now knows what it means to be a man. He shows that he is ready for whatever the world throws at him.
“Lift a Sail” is one of those albums that is clearly marking a point in the artist’s life, as many albums often mark a point in the lives of its fans. Everyone remembers the music they listened to at a certain times in their lives, whether in high school, when they were depressed or when they were on top of the world. If there is a lesson to be learned from Yellowcard’s ninth album, it is that time goes on and things change.
No one expected an album like this from Yellowcard, especially after its 2012 predecessor, “Southern Air.” In each album it has released, the band always looked toward the future. And although the departure from the patterns of older songs like “Ocean Avenue” to “Lights and Sounds” was disappointing for many, Yellowcard made this change in sound work well in its newest album.
With its new deal with label Razor & Tie, another Yellowcard album release is expected in about two years.
John Andersen can be reached at [email protected].
