Summer is here, and there's no better way to celebrate the start of this great season with some great rock. Yellowcard is one of the last modern ambassadors of the pop-punk rock craze of the 90's, so it is fitting to head into summer taking a brief look at their latest album When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes. Continuing Yellowcard's efforts to modernize their 90's pop-punk style, When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes is a standout album that has lots of great songs.
"The Sound Of You and Me" is the blistering opening track in When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes that really showcases the band's improved instrumentation with it's amazing drum track. Those who love the Yellowcard's classic violin and vocal hooks will get a kick out of the second track "For You, And Your Denial". The rest of the album is filled with other quality tracks, such as "Sing For Me", which is a great ballad that resonates with memorable refrains, and "See Me Smiling" for those wanting something more energetic.
Next on the 90's rock train is Weezer's latest album Hurley. Weezer has been trying to become relevant again, and Hurley does a better job at showcasing Weezer's talent than their previous album Raditude. "Hang On" is a mellow track that has great lyrical touches, and "Memories" is the radio-friendly track will probably end up stuck in your head. Hurley isn't the modern breakout album that Weezer needs, as it's a bit lacking in musical depth and variety, but Richard Cumo's creative lyrics definitely makes it worth checking out at least once.
For those of who want a bit more 'rock' and less 'punk' in their music, the Foo Fighter's latest Wasting Light is a great album to listen to. "Walk" shows off the Foo Fighers's talent in balancing their ferocious instrumental work with the growls of lead singer Dave Grohl. "Arlandria" is a superbly produced and written song that's definitely worth putting in any rock playlist. And we can't talk about Wasting Light without mentioning the extremely popular "Rope", which is one part song, three parts savage guitar riffs. The Foo Fighters have matured their sounds since the late 90's, and Wasting Light shows that they're on the right path.
Foo Fighters always had a lot to prove. Despite David Grohl's intent to break ties from the shadow of Nirvana, lyrics and song structure for the (newly) quintet were never rocket science, oriented more for the masses than for the exploring connoisseur. That's why after the departure The Colour and the Shape meant, the stagnancy of four subsequent records made the disappointment even more deafening. The same trite of loud/quiet combination and chord progression twisted to all the possible forms called for a rapid change.
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