Although this American band started out as a Punk Rock act with Hardcore leanings, they grew more and more commercial over the years, first sliding their way into the Pop Punk world (with 2003's album Ocean Avenue as their break-though album). Between 2008 and 2010, the band was somewhat on a hiatus, and since their return have released two proper new studio albums, 2011's When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes (which was given an acoustic overhaul on that same year's When You're Through thinking, Say Yes Acoustic – a review for which, done by colleague Nick, can be found in our “Archive” section, posted on 08/04/2012) and 2012's Southern Air.
Earlier this year, the band found out that their 2003 breakthrough single “Ocean Avenue” (off the album by the same title) had gone to Platinum status (meaning it sold over one million copies) a,d thus, with the 10th anniversary of that single and album, the guys took on the occasion to re-record the material in a completely acoustic version. Well, it's a good thing that one of the peculiar things about this band is, that they have a violinist in their midst, because that does help a lot when embellishing acoustic songs. Okay, so very probably that violin was already in the original songs. I wouldn't know, because by the time these guys became popular I had had more that a filled cup of music in the Pop Punk genre (I mean, that kind of bands was popping up two a week, at the beginning of the '90s)! But...as I go through the acoustic version of this album (which really should've been reviewed by Nick again, but then he turned out to be temporarily unavailable...so, let's turn to Tony to save the day, you know!) it sure becomes clear to me that, as songwriters, Yellowcard was already very mature, back when, and knew how to write songs that would make it in the mainstream...as history would prove!
Right after the release of the acoustic album, the band went out on a US/ Europe/ Australian tour, performing the complete album...acoustically! In Europe the band also played the Vans Warped Tour, and limited the acoustic performances to additional headline shows. Oh wait...the European tour ain't over yet. At the time of writing there's actually some Warped (in Switzerland & Austria, on Nov. 23 & 24) and acoustic dates (Holland, Germany & Italy on Nov. 19, 21 & 22) left. Go check it out, if you are so inclined...but don't bother if Pop music ain't your thing. Listen to some acoustic (and “normal”) songs at (www.) yellocardrock.com (“Media” section) and (www.) facebook.com/yellowcard (“Music” section). Personally, I couldn't really be bothered. Don't get me wrong, on off moments I might very well listen to music like this, and I will certainly buy albums I haven't got yet when I come across some at a decent (2nd hand) price, but frankly...there's more interesting things waiting to be reviewed.