The 14-song album is more expansive and political than the band's previous releases. "Lights and Sounds" starts out with an instrumental piece called "Three Flights Up," which sets up the rest of the tracks nicely by challenging the expectations of Yellowcard fans.

Fans will sing along to the title track with the same gusto as they did to "Ocean Avenue," the title track from Yellowcard's previous album. "Down On My Head" is a change from the hyper-happy rock that Yellowcard usually turns out — don't be surprised if you find yourself ruminating in the lyrics. Who doesn't feel like the world is coming down on their heads sometimes?

Yet another classic-sounding Yellowcard song is "Rough Landing, Holly," with upbeat guitar riffs that won't disappoint returning fans. After this, however, the CD gets interesting with a mature, political song, "Two Weeks From Twenty." This is one of the more overtly political songs on the album, it also is my favorite and I wouldn't be surprised if it turns into yours as well.

After building up our expectations, Yellowcard lets us down with "Waiting Game," an all too familiar-sounding song that's worth listening to anyway. You'll be tapping your foot to it in line at Hollister before you know it.

When you read the next title on the track listing, don't get too excited. "Martin Sheen Or JFK" has a darker and more adult sound than the average Yellowcard song but disappoints when it doesn't live up to its interesting title.

Lead singer Ryan Key's duet with Dixie Chick Natalie Maines is refreshing and has the potential to bring in new fans. The final song on the album, "Holly Wood Died," sums up the basic message of "Lights and Sounds" — Yellowcard might have the talent and the ability to move its sound into something a more mature audience might appreciate, but for right now, band members are fine with the group's pop-rock image.