DS EP Review: Yellowcard – “Childhood Eyes”

Before we start the review…let me take you back to a venue in Copenhagen in 2015. We are in Pumpehuset, and Less Than Jake just left the stage. After a break, Yellowcard appears, and I’m fangirling as if it was 2004 (yes, I know Ocean Avenue was released in 2003… But I was 12 in 2003. I didn’t get a computer until 2004.)
The friends I went with aren’t, to this day, Yellowcard fans. But hell, through breakups, reunions, and shitty albums, I stand by them. But that was the night Ryan Key informed us that Yellowcard was breaking up. In my world, eight years ago, that would be the first and last time I saw Yellowcard in action. I was in tears.
Eight. Years. Later. Guess who is taking pictures of Yellowcard in the photo pit at Slam Dunk? ME!! And that was a dream come true, and also the weekend that Dying Scene got me out of my retirement, so I’ll take pictures at your child, best friend, sister’s wedding. Guess who is seeing them live again, and in my opinion, better than ever? ME and my truly amazing friends.

That intro was a bit long, but let’s admit it. You come for my witty backstories and stay for my sassy opinions – and I will deliver. Just keep ready, babes.

CHILDHOOD EYES

Yellowcard returns – TODAY – with a new EP… And well, let’s start from the top.

“Three Minutes More” doesn’t exactly show Yellowcard‘s full potential. It’s not a bad song because Vic Fuentes from Pierce The Veil is on it… Will I be hanged for this comment? But this song was stronger than the whole The Jaws Of Life album. Vic, if you read this, pull the band in this direction.

“Childhood Eyes” brings in the full force of Yellowcard and what they are capable of. As someone who grew up with Yellowcard and has now become my own person, this song did hit a certain place in my heart. The lyrics are weak, but the delivery of them is actually flawless.

“Hiding in the Light” intro reminds me of early Yellowcard, and for a second, Ryan’s vocals took me back. I actually find this song to be the biggest stand-out on the EP. It reminds me of early Yellowcard, but not in a “we didn’t grow” way. No, no, it’s clear from the lyrics that they, in fact, have grown.

“Honest From The Jump” … “WE WERE JUST DISTANT STARS…” tell me more; this song actually caught my son’s attention. Yes, I turned a seven-year-old into a Yellowcard fan. But he convinced me to give it a chance. And I want to say the chorus is definitely one of my favorites on the EP. I’ve screamed the lyrics 100 times. But Keys’ delivery makes me shiver and get goosebumps each time I hear it. And the violins break my heart each moment on this song… “You were not honest from the jump”… Shit.

“The Places We’ll Go (feat. Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional)“… the awful guitar intro… You know this song will pull teeth. I truly find this song annoying, and I get tired each time I hear it. Like, Yellowcard “wants to show they’ve grown,” but the fact this song lacks everything I need to be convinced… It sounds like some shit a guy from Nordsjælland (for those in America, just your average fuckboy. But we have them in one location) could tell me. I’m not into it. I’m actually over it.

Despite that one song… Yellowcard is back and I’m here for it, although this makes me tired because of that one song. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuut, I’m also hesitant about it, you know? Bring me something better than Ocean Avenue and I’ll admit defeat.

Friends…It’s new release day – let’s discuss this because I’m here for it!