‘Lights and Sounds’ shows a more mature tone
By Matt Hudkins
IV Leader Music Critic
“Lights and Sounds” by Yellowcard is hands down their best
work yet.
This album is more mature than their 2004 release of “Ocean
Avenue.” Although “Ocean Avenue” sold more than a million copies, “Lights and
Sounds” is taking Yellowcard in a direction they have never been.
This album is a more serious tone for the group. Unlike
“Ocean Avenue,” this album is breaking away from songs about girls and breakups,
and into themes like artifice, war, and adulthood.
With fast, edgy tracks like “Lights and Sounds” and “Rough
Landing, Holly” and a slow ballad like “City of Devils” there is something for
everyone in this album. The guitar riffs are tight and punchy without being
overly flashy. The album has a great sensibility while retaining an edgy rock
feel.
The lyrics of “Lights and Sounds” are also amazing compared
to their previous works. The lyrics of this album take a serious tone through
out the CD. They sing a story about a girl called “Holly Wood,” which is
continued throughout the album. The story of “Holly Wood” is criticism of the
world of superstars who can get overwhelmed by fame if they don’t remember why
they do what they do in the first place.
Yellowcard gets their message through once again and it’s not
your typical punk-rock-emo album and requires quite a bit of understanding. This
is a huge contrast to the childish tracks of “Ocean Avenue.”
Hopefully this is a direction Yellowcard will keep traveling
down. If their future albums are anything like “Lights and Sounds,” I will
definitely be interested in picking it up. If you have not heard “Lights and
Sounds” yet, I recommend going and picking it up.