Kenji Lloyd - 4/19/2011

In April 2008, Yellowcard announced that they would be going on an indefinite hiatus, less than a year after releasing their brilliant record, Paper Walls. With most bands, an 'indefinite hiatus' is generally a sure sign that the band aren't going to be coming back, but the same thing cannot be said of Yellowcard. They assured their fans that they would be back - they didn't know when, but they promised they would be.

When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes is their highly anticipated, sensational return. It is everything a true fan of Yellowcard could ask for, and so much more. Simply put, it is sheer musical genius. Back in August 2010, the band officially announced they were reforming and would be coming back as soon as they could with a new record that their fans would love, and they have definitely made good on that promise.

The band's first single off the album was 'For You, And Your Denial', and it is spectacular. Despite being the first new music they've written in several years, it shows that nothing has changed; their brilliant song-writing capabilities are as persistent and undying as ever. The opening solo violin melody ushers you in to the same Yellowcard you know and love, whilst bringing with it an entirely re-energised and animated sense of immediacy that only a band that truly loves what it's doing can create.

There isn't a single track on the album that isn't worthy of its place there; nothing will have you reaching for the Next Track button. It's one of the few albums that you will love playing right through from start to finish, which is exactly what you want from an album.

The album opens with 'The Sound Of You And Me', the perfect track to start the record, with an even greater sense of urgency than the lead single and some of their greatest harmonies to date. Since harmonies are one of the many things Yellowcard do so well, you can be sure that this track is something to fall in love with.

It works its way through soon-to-be crowd favourites 'With You Around' and 'Hide', with beautiful moments of repose in 'Hang You Up' and 'Sing For Me', and utter anthemic tracks like 'See You Smiling' and 'Soundtrack'.

When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes marks a defining moment in Yellowcard's career. They announce their own return, on their own terms, with an album that is by far some of their best work in all their many years of making music. Here's to hoping that it will be the first of many brilliant albums to come following their hiatus. One thing can be said without a shadow of a doubt: they are returning with an album they are deservedly so proud of to share with their fans.