Paper Walls
by Yellowcard
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jul 17, 2007
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 74
  3. Negative: 10 out of 74

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  1. AnthonyL
    Jul 20, 2007
    10
    By far the best Yellowcard Album to date. Every song on this CD just blows you away when you listen to it. So many emotions go through you while you listen. This is definitely a MUST HAVE CD. Go get it NOW!
  2. JustinT.
    Apr 6, 2008
    10
    A wonderful album filled with many emotions. You'll love it.
  3. AdamJ
    Jul 21, 2007
    8
    Very Solid album. Yellowcard are refreshing because they have found an incredible sound and stick to it. Certain bands break through with a sound and suddenly become a U2/RHCP/Green Day Close. The Takedown, Dear Bobbie, Five Become Four and Paper Walls all stand out for me on this album. The Takedown especially but it does miss out on 1 killer single. They badly need a new Ocean Avenue!!
  4. AntonyL
    Jul 30, 2007
    10
    this is by far the best YC cd, it blends the open and honest lyrics of ocean venue/one for the kids with the rock of LnS, a nice blend, its easy to and a very strong sound
  5. YellowC.
    Aug 1, 2007
    9
    Another excellent Yellowcard album. The is something great and every track on the CD and plenty of diversity between the various songs. Paper Walls took the awesome sound from Lightsd and Sounds and combined that with the excellent lyrics from Ocean Avenue. Simply put if you have even a passing interest in Yellowcard's music this is a cd to get.
  6. TomR
    Jul 17, 2007
    10
    It's great to see Yellowcard going back to doing what they do best- a very consistent album, much like Ocean Avenue.
  7. AaronG
    Jul 24, 2007
    8
    I like this CD alot. The album opener is a great song, especially the drumming on it. Actually the drums on every song are amazing. I'm not a big fan of the first single "Light up the Sky". It's kind of bland. Probably the best songs are The Takedown, Paper Walls, Shrink the World and Shadows and Regrets.
  8. StephG
    Jul 26, 2007
    10
    Paper Walls combines the best aspects of Lights and Sounds, Ocean Avenue, The Underdog EP, and One For The Kids, into one record. By far the best YC record yet.
  9. DomW
    Jul 28, 2007
    9
    Not as good as Ocean Avenue but is still a must have for any -punk-rock fan. With slitly heavyer songs, Ryan Keys lyrics are still some of the best around. They're honest and are from the heart which turns a beat into a song.
  10. Becky
    Aug 20, 2007
    7
    I mostly enjoyed this album, i loved some tracks such as Keeper and Light Up the Sky. But this album lacks originality. You've probably already heard these types of songs played better. Also all of these tracks sound similar. It's just an OK album.
  11. ChrisW.
    Aug 7, 2007
    8
    Although I don't like the style and beats QUITE as much as Ocean Avenue, the lyrics are deeper and this is certainly better than their last effort. One of my favorite purchases of the year thus far, however.
  12. Daniel
    Aug 8, 2007
    10
    AWESOME that is all that can be said, this album rules
  13. AdrianaA.
    Sep 23, 2007
    8
    It was a good album. I mean some of the songs like Dear Bobbie and Cut ME Mick were a little weak and didn't make sense but that is what reading the lyrics are for. Other then that all the songs had a pretty strong meaning. Of course all of the songs were a tiny bit repetitive in their themes.
  14. ShannonS.
    Mar 6, 2008
    10
    I personally believe that this is one of the best albums out there today. All of the songs are beautifully composed with harmonious music to go along with the lyrics. The lyrics of the songs are amazingly written and are powerful and stay true to the message Ryan and the rest of Yellowcard convey in each song. The songs are all memorable and range from different moods and paces which I personally believe that this is one of the best albums out there today. All of the songs are beautifully composed with harmonious music to go along with the lyrics. The lyrics of the songs are amazingly written and are powerful and stay true to the message Ryan and the rest of Yellowcard convey in each song. The songs are all memorable and range from different moods and paces which makes this album really great. The violin, guitars and everything else are awesome and smoothly work together. One more important factor would be Ryan Key's voice. I believe he has a truly beautiful and hypnotic voice that is evident in all the songs especially You and me and one Spotlight and Shadows and Regrets. Unlike some people I don't believe in any way that his voice is "whiney" and I'm also suprised of the lack of praise this album is recieving.… Expand
  15. DanM
    Oct 1, 2007
    10
    I am quite surprised at the rating many have given this cd. Lyrically this album is amazing. It deals with love, memories, regrets (the usual topics of choice for musicians). Unlike most musicians however, Yellowcard fills their music with a passion to back up their lyrics. This is most definitely the best album that Yellowcard has come out with to date. Songs like You and Me and One I am quite surprised at the rating many have given this cd. Lyrically this album is amazing. It deals with love, memories, regrets (the usual topics of choice for musicians). Unlike most musicians however, Yellowcard fills their music with a passion to back up their lyrics. This is most definitely the best album that Yellowcard has come out with to date. Songs like You and Me and One Spotlight, Dear Bobbie, and Keeper are some of the best songs I have heard acrossed all genres.… Expand
  16. ZiftK
    Dec 10, 2007
    7
    Solid album. This is a first for Yellowcard for me, and I like it. Five becomes Four, and Afraid are fantastic. I look forward for future albums of yellowcard. Worth a listen, period.
  17. KingJ.
    Jul 18, 2007
    8
    Back to the ol skool roots of yellowcard. Last album the violin was no where to be found, but this time around they brought it back with a lil more. Beautiful guitar solo in the first song of the album. CONGRATS to them.... album worth buying.
  18. DylanS
    Jul 19, 2007
    7
    Good release from a consistent band -- about on Par with Ocean Avenue, but lacks it's great songs (woo! Life of a Salesman), as well as it's duds (eee! title track). Takedown & Shadows and Regrets stand out here, but nothing has that 'umph' of the best off 'Lights and Sounds'. Good CD, but as compared to the previous, seems like a step sideways -- but always Good release from a consistent band -- about on Par with Ocean Avenue, but lacks it's great songs (woo! Life of a Salesman), as well as it's duds (eee! title track). Takedown & Shadows and Regrets stand out here, but nothing has that 'umph' of the best off 'Lights and Sounds'. Good CD, but as compared to the previous, seems like a step sideways -- but always better than a step back, worthwhile CD by a mile.… Expand
  19. CourtneyD
    Jul 21, 2007
    10
    WOW! Finally the Ocean Avenue follow-up we were waiting for. Great songs include Fighting, Shrink the World, Keeper, and Light Up the Sky.
  20. KayleeP
    Jul 20, 2007
    9
    Paper Walls was highly anticipated, and underrated. Compared to their other records, it is better than Lights and Sounds, and at the same leevl as Ocean Avenue, what put them on the map in the first place. The violin returns, as well as heartfelt songs like "Dear Bobbie," and amazing guitar tracking in "You and me and one Spotlight", definitely worth a listen.
  21. bena
    Jul 22, 2007
    10
    This album is a HUGE comeback for Yellowcard. I actually enjoyed some parts of L+S, but in the end, it was just a boring album. Paper Walls is YC at their energetic, melodic best. While some may criticize their subject matter, they are just doing what they do best, making catchy fun pop rock. So take it for what it is, because it's one of the best releases in this genre.
  22. TedS
    Aug 14, 2007
    10
    This is the best CD i have ever gotten! Key has said it is an album of coming back after you have hit rock bottom, and me Ted Striker have hit rock bottom but have starting going up again and Yellowcars music of paper walls has helped me climb back up and out of the past and move on and not to look back. thank you yellowcard from a big fan, ted striker
  23. ItzhakV.
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    This album is amazing; definitely the best of the three major-label Yellowcard CD's. Every song is memorable and has intelligent lyrics. Put that with incredible vocals (his voice may be a bit whiny, but it still sounds excellent) and great guitar, this album is the quintessence of excellence.
  24. TerronM.
    Oct 18, 2007
    10
    Yellowcard's "Paper Walls" is probably the best punk rock album you've never heard.
  25. TracyJ
    Jul 21, 2007
    10
    Once again another GREAT album!Loving it!
  26. KenzieB
    Jul 22, 2007
    10
    this CD will make you like Yellowcard if you never were a big fan of them. The way that they put the guitar and the violin together is pure genious. It's hard to make it work, but they do it perfectly
  27. NigelM
    Jul 26, 2007
    10
    This is certainly their best album to date, every song is a hit and i would highly recommend it to punk rock and rock fans!
  28. billyj
    Aug 14, 2007
    10
    great cd... i love it
  29. Steve
    Mar 29, 2008
    8
    Ocean Avenue was far better, but this is good enough to keep Yellowcard at the top of my list of favorite bands. If you know earlier Yellowcard, think of this as a more evolved, better recorded version of One for the Kids .
  30. Pix
    Nov 29, 2007
    10
    This is the greatest album in 2007 !!!! Excellent record !

Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Most Discussed Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Billboard
    80
    It's prototypical Warped tour rock - but, to be fair, at the top level of that particular realm, with thoughtful lyrics and tightly crafted guitar arrangements.
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  2. Amazon.com
    80
    Unsurprisingly, the lyrics are direct and honest, while they've broadened their sonic palette to allow a tad more dissonance in with their urgent and propulsive pop-punk.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    70
    O pure musical terms they're more gripping than many of their peers, displaying a restless sense of musicality that often makes Paper Walls interesting even if means they can stray toward areas that are just a shade too indulgent for their own good.
    Read full review
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