AT the record-release party for their new album, “Lights And Sounds,” it was clear the punk-pop band that takes its name from a soccer penalty warning -Yellowcard – is at the crossroads.
While their successful contemporaries – including Simple Plan, A New Found Glory and Good Charlotte – have become more entrenched in prefab teen emo, Yellowcard seems to risk losing their established audience by reaching out to a wider fan base with a more mature sound.
Many hard-core devotees at Tuesday’s sold-out Irving Plaza gig seemed open to making the leap forward with the band, but still thrashed harder and cheered louder for the old stuff.
The group itself seems to be walking on glass, still recovering from the fracture caused when lead guitarist Ben Harper quit Yellowcard soon after the band laid the final track for “L&S.”
The artistic differences that no doubt caused the split were audible in this concert. The expected screaming rage and emotional eruptions in the songs from the new record have faded by comparison to the propulsive, rubbed-raw music of their 2003 breakthrough, “Ocean Avenue.”
Even though there was plenty of moshing, Yellowcard has traded in its in-your-face kiddie punk for rock ‘n’ roll.
The differences in the music between then and now is radical enough that there was little need for singer/guitarist Ryan Key to introduce the songs from the new album like “Lights and Sound” or “Holly Wood Died” as new. You heard that in the clarity of his vocal delivery, and the rock-solid hooks that were concise and never meandered.
As at past Yellowcard performances, including their memorable Roseland shows, the group’s secret weapon remains violinist Sean Mackin.
When his audio was properly cranked, Mackin’s bow work was the essential lead instrument. He was less effective when required to build an orchestral foundation for some of the slower tunes and ballads.
As for new guitarist Ryan Mendez, he’s a pretty fair axman, but during this show he was so low-key and demonstrated such stiff body language that he must still feel like an outsider.
If he eventually fits in, he may be part of a band that has the legs to go the distance.
