Yellow Second

Item: Altitude
Author: Justin Brinker

Altitude

(2005)

Reviewed by Justin Brinker

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Label Floodgate RecordsDecapolisMay 2005

emo pop punk pop rock power pop

The mid 90's seem to produce a flurry of power pop bands. Thanks to MTV's "Buzz Bin" bands like Nada Surf, Superdrag, and Weezer were at the forefront of this genre. It was during this time I fell head over heels in love with Superdrag and Weezer and still am today. It was also during this time that guitarist/vocalist Scott Kerr of Yellow Second was playing in another band far from the sounds of Superdrag and Weezer, that band: Five Iron Frenzy. In 1999 Kerr left FIF to form Yellow Second, a project that would be more akin to the power pop of the aforementioned bands. Kerr also joined by another familiar face, former Five Iron Frenzy drummer Andy Verdecchio.

Altitude begins with the acoustic "Silhouette" over the strained vocals of Kerr and is promising but it quickly disappoints. "Chance of Sunbreaks" an up-tempo rock song, keeps things interesting enough, but from there the album begins to get a bit stale. "Forget What You've Heard" bears its Superdrag influence much too blatantly with its dissonant picking guitar parts over the melodic vocal melodies of Kerr and Josh Hemingway. The country tinged acoustic driven "Some Other Way" changes things a bit, with brushes on the drums, and even a slide guitar is employed, and it is done quite well. "Gravity Boots" is an impressive, catchy pop rock song, replete with harmonized "ba-ba-ba's" on the chorus. "I Can Awake" boasts a driving bass line on the verses, before the distorted guitars kick in on the chorus beneath the vocals. "Imaginary Friend" begins with just a distorted guitar setting the backdrop for Kerr's vocals, utilizes some drum effects, and closes out with a lush keyboard part.

Yellow Second have studied the science of the melodic hook and have implemented throughout Altitude. These songs are catchy, but seem to lose their staying power after repeated listens. Another thing that holds Altitude back is how evident their influences through on the first half of the record. That is not to say that this is a total loss. Altitude does boast a number of enjoyable power pop songs, just not enough for the fifty-minute length of the album. If you are craving for the early days of the "Buzz Bin" bands, then look no further; Altitude is your fix.

2.5/4