I started out my Yellowcard fan career with a CD or two loaned from a friend, and now I have *ended* it with a free ticket to their last ever show in Glasgow, so it's certain that the fun-cost ratio of this band has been pretty phenomenal for me. Being the first and last time seeing this band, the set resembling a greatest hits record was something of a blessing, showcasing to me the band's highlights throughout all those years I missed since Paper Walls. 

Whilst the set was suitably mixed up, I can't help but feel that playing a reverse order retrospective ending with 'Ocean Avenue' would've been highly appreciated by the crowd, but they do have considerably more than one album after all. 

Playing 23 songs in total, the usual quartet is expanded to a quintet by stand-in drummer Jimmy Brunkvist of Like Torches, who put in a blistering performance, outshone only by the charisma of violinist Sean Mackin and his skills in getting the crowd fired up. With a career spanning set, the band's emotive and distinctive brand of pop punk had the Glaswegian whipped into one final flurry for at least two hours. 

Frontman Ryan Key's sincere introductions and heartfelt thanks strung the night together, as he explained the gravity of certain songs, and simply inspired some powerful sing-alongs like you would expect. From the rousing opener 'Believe' to the euphoric closer 'Ocean Avenue' the band took control of the venue and showcased why their art has sustained then for 20 years. 

The intense one-two of 'Gifts and Curses' and 'Cut Me, Mick' towards the end of the set were particularly enjoyable, with the emotion of the slower songs like 'Sing For Me' providing some respite throughout the lengthy set. Overall, if this quality is replicated on ever night of their extensive tour, then Yellowcard will be leaving their fans with hoarse voices and fond memories, which is the most you can really ask for, and a fitting end to a band some would consider legends. 

After announcing that the band were going their separate ways in June after 19 years of being together; Yellowcard’s last ever album, is a heartfelt goodbye, to fans, to the industry and to each other.

It seems clear that although they have enjoyed their time as a band they are ready to move on; with thankful yet slightly defeated lyrics such as, “I think we were lucky to stay alive” it’s easy to see why they made the decision to call it quits.  

The track listing shows their journey of deciding to quit and accepting it from being disheartened by the industry, hurt, angry and then acceptance and peace. With ‘Rest in Peace’ the opening track summarising this into a final goodbye, which sets the tone for the rest of the album. 

They show their frustration throughout the album with ‘Got Yours’ stating that they have been “building a tower to watch them come back down”. The most prominent example of their goodbye to the industry is 'Empty Streets' with lyrics stating: 

“Their spirit has died” due to “running my whole life to reach this place//just when I arrive the moment fades” and “It all gets ripped away”. 

‘Saviour robes’, portrays their anger stage with bitter lyrics that pack a punch:“you got my heart and turned it black but now it’s beating and I’m taking it back from you”, this could just as easily have been aimed at an ex however hints such as references to the rat race and “still feel that I need to give you thanks” suggest that is aimed at someone within the industry they feel did them wrong. 

The album’s final track ‘Fields and Fences’ is the perfect closer and goodbye message. Almost a love song to Tennessee which, shows them making peace with their decision “I got used to being the star of the show//but I’ve seen lights come and go” and even excitement towards going home and what comes next “looking for something to awake my soul”. 

With such an important theme of the album some tracks can seem similar particularly as a lot of the tracks have long instrumental openings. Yet, by adding subtle genre influences in different tracks i.e. ‘I’m a wrecking ball’ has indie folk vibes, which breaks up the album without straying from the theme or changing the tone. 

Yellowcard is available via Amazon & iTunes.