Yellowcard’s “Ocean Avenue,” released in 2003 through major label Capitol Records, marked the peak of the band’s popularity. Music Television Channel (MTV) played their videos regularly, while radio stations were quick to give them plenty of airtime.
The album sold over one million copies and nine years later a somewhat different Yellowcard, now under Hopeless Records, continues on with their latest album “Southern Air.”
Four familiar names return: lead vocalist Ryan Key, guitarist Ryan Mendez, violinist Sean Mackin and drummer Longineu W. “LP” Parsons III. Fans will recognize new bassist, Josh Portman, who helped fill in for Yellowcard when needed during past tours. 
“Southern Air” starts off fast with “Awakening,” which quickly gathers momentum with the same loud, energetic style that trademarks this band. Although Key references a past relationship, the lyrics are mature and drive the point home of an exciting future ahead. The song is catchy and makes good use of the violin.
Ryan’s singing, with his voice falling somewhere mid-range, is not too nasal or deep. However three songs later in the album, guest vocalist Tay Jardine (from We Are The In Crowd) is a welcome addition in “Here I Am Alive,” a song about what Key would tell his younger previous self. Yellowcard is no stranger to using guest female vocalists, with Alieke Wijnveldt’s vocals in the outstanding “View From Heaven” from the “Ocean Avenue” album and Natalie Maines singing in “How I Go” from “Lights and Sounds” in 2006.
The problem with “Southern Air,” at least for fans of the old Yellowcard, is that most of these songs (only 10 in all) take some time to get used to. “Ten,” an acoustic-driven song with lyrics that depict the hypothetical future life of a child lost to miscarriage, feels very emotional and tugs at the heart. Besides those three mentioned songs, “Southern Air” misses some of the catchiness that previously gave Yellowcard success. For example, the first single “Always Summer” is not bad, but it lacks the same punch the title track to “Ocean Avenue” had. Only the rousing violin solo, which took a few listens to appreciate, saves the song.  
With that said, the violin playing by Mackin sounds consistently great throughout the entire album. Parsons III delivers a solid performance on drums, although not spectacular.
Whether one likes Mendez’s guitar lines in “Southern Air” depends on which Yellowcard is desired. The overall sound feels slightly heavier. If the somewhat-matured Yellowcard is wanted, the one that does not rely so much on catchy hooks anymore, but rather strong lyrics, then “Southern Air” is the Yellowcard album for that description. If a return to “Ocean Avenue” is the reason for listening, then proceed with caution. “Southern Air” demonstrates the band’s growth over the years, and whether that is a positive depends on each listener.