Customer Reviews

Ocean Avenue

5 star:		(801)
4 star:		(70)
3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(55)

 

 

Ok A year or more ago I stumbled along a unique band called Yellowcard. By unique I mean they were very much pop punk except for the fact that they had a violin player! In ways you can't understand until you listen, the violin turns the normal song into something so much more incredible. Anyways, expect a really cool sound from these guys. On with the review.

I went out and bought Ocean Ave. the day it came out. It was my personal most anticipated album of the year. Let me tell you the wait was worth it. I'm going to rund down, song by song.

1. Way Away - This is their first single, and is a great song to kick off the CD. Its slightly harder sounding then previous songs, but its one of my favorites. It tells how the band moved out to California from the Jacksonville Fl. to provide more oppertunity for the band. Great lyrics throughout the whole song, and cd.

2. Breathing - Another slightly harder sound, but again, its awsome! The chorus will get stuck in your head for days (Thats a good thing!)

3. Ocean Avenue - This is one of the bst songs on the CD. It tells how the writer misses a former relationship. Again, the chorus is just amazing.

4. Empty Apartment - In this song you hear about a lost friend. Great Lyrics.

5. Life of a Salesman - About one of the band member's father. Not personally one of my favorites, but there are no bad songs on this cd.

6. Only One - I think this will be their second single. Key, the song writer, talks about a recent break up. I can really relate to this song, and I'm willing to bet that almost everyone else can too. It's very heart felt.

7. Miles Apart - Key looks back on how he and his friends were seperated for a while after highschool. The violin is pretty cool on this song.

8. Twentythree - This song is incredible! Changing singers for the only song, this song is all about growing up and maturing in a way. Its awsome. Very catchy. One of the best on the CD.

9. View From Heaven - Done in a country style, this song is suprisingly catchy! The violin really adds to the country sound of course. The background vocals, done by the bass player, Alex's, sister Aliqia. Her voice really just sets off the song. It fits perfectly.

10. Inside Out - I don't have much to say about this song. Its probably my least favorite. I don't know why. Its not bad at all, just not as good as any of the others, thought the part where Key sings "The two of us" has a good sound to it.

11. Believe - Inspired by 9/11, this is a sentimental song, and you can almost feel the emotion. Its inspiring. I really like the lyrics on this song. Good melody too.

12. One Year, Six Months - This song is a good one. It slows down the pace of Ocean Ave. It really flows and has a good rhythm. Good song over all.

13. Back Home - This song tells us how maybe the east coast wasn't all that bad in reality. "Sometimes when you've gone out to do what you want to do, you miss what you left - home, security, friends, family, safety," explains Key. "We wanted to end the record with that kind of reflection."

All in all, this CD is just a really good strong CD. If you liked any of Yellowcard's previous songs, you WILL like this CD. Fans of pop-punk will almost definately like it. Ocean Ave. is in the top 3 CD's I've bought this year! The band has really matured lyricaly and musicaly. I really hope they make it huge, because they deserve it! Good luck guys!

This cd is one of the best cd's I have heard all summer. It has that upbeat vibe. The songs are great, and the violin player really sets this band apart from the others because of the added unique violin. All the songs on this album are great.

1.Way away- definetly a single, very catchy with great vocals
2.Breathing- slightly heavier, but possibly more catchy. great vocals and lyrics.
3.Ocean Avenue- one of the best on the album in my opinoin, emo lyrics.
4.Empty Apartment- balad like song with super meaningful lyrics.
5.Life of a Salesman- great song, fun fast lyrics and great guitar riffs
6.Only once- The BEST song on the album, the song just flows perfect, everything is perfect.
7.Miles Apart- another super catchy song with more great vocals.
8.Twentythree- popish lyrically charged upbeat song with blaring vocals.
9.View From Heaven-Country rock sounding slower song with deeper lyrics. guest vocals by
10.Inside out-good song, catchy with great harmonies.

11.Believe- this sont is tied with only once. Emotionally charged song about September 11. Great vocals some drama with the violin, great riffs.
12.One year, six months- slow balad, good vocals good lyrics.
13.Back Home- great great song, slowish but super catchy with meaningful lyrics.

This is the best yellowcard cd yet!

"...I don't think we are a punk rock band. Whatever you want to call punk music nowadays, I think the lines are so blurred, you can't really tell anymore. We're definitely influenced by punk rock, yes. We grew up listening to that, but I don't think we are trying to emulate that or duplicate it in any way."-Yellowcard

I came across Yellowcard channel surfing and saw their video for Way Away on some channel.. can't remember what. The Fuse? ANYWAY their CD is the best one I've ever bought. I bought it for Way Away, but I love every track on this album. My favorites are "Believe" and "Empty Apartment". BELIEVE is a tribute to the heroes of 9/11. The lyrics are incredible and the violin solo in the beginning is absolutely amazing. [I think it's awesome that Yellowcard has a violinist in their group! Sean Mackin really brings a lot to the band.] EMPTY APARTMENT shows off lead vocalist Ryan Key's voice, which I think is absolutely beautiful. =)

All in all, this CD is great, and each song actually has a meaning to Ryan Key [main lyricist of the group], and they're not just random songs that mean nothing. I hear that Yellowcard is a really cool band, in that they greet fans that stick around after their shows, and that they're really nice people. They also do free lunchtime shows, so if they're around your area, get your school [if you're still in high school] to e-mail them! They're awesom!

First of all I would like to say that YC is an awesome band who gives great live shows! A way to set these guys apart from other bands out there is how they are very eclectic in their musical style. They have great punk music with a classical twist of a violin..and it totally kicks bum! For Ocean Avenue, I feel its the same great music and band, but a step up. You can tell they've grown musically and have gone through a lot more in their lives. Several of the songs on this album are from a personal point of view. These songs have reflected all different areas of their lives including a break up, a friend leaving, one of the member's dad, September 11th, and so on. Another great thing about this band is how positive they are towards giving the message of living your life your own great way. I highly recommend this album by Yellowcard as well as their other albums Underdog (EP) and One For The Kids. If you are looking to hear something new and different, this is the band that you'll fall in love with.

After browsing some of the one-star reviews, I have to say that some people can be incredibly ignorant:

1.)They are not punk. Yellowcard don't consider themselves punk. And anyways, what Yellowcard thinks doesn't affect their music.
2.)If you were smart enough to actually listen, they do not just sing about their girlfriends. Half the album is about other subjects besides girls
3.)Please don't say "YC sucks, listen to bands like _____ and _____" This isn't advertisement for other bands, this is supposed to be a review for Ocean Avenue.
4.) Don't even bother attempting to write a review if all you've heard from them is "Way Away", "Ocean Avenue" and "Only One". Idiots.

Okay, here's my review:

I got this album after hearing "Ocean Avenue" on MTV, like many others. This album is an album of variety, without straying too far away from their unique style. The violin adds a deeper sound to the music, and is incorporated incredibly well.

Ocean Avenue goes through many styles of music, from the rawer, harder songs(Way Away, Breathing), to the upbeat, pop-rock sounds(Ocean Avenue, Life of a Salesman, Miles Apart, Twenty-three, Inside Out), to the introspective, melody rich tunes(Empty Apartment, Only One, Believe, One Year Six Months, Back Home). Heck, there's even a country sound infused in "View From Heaven".

The Topics Yellowcard sings about is as varied as the sounds they have. There's the traditional songs about girls, but there's a slew of other things They sing about:
-"Way Away" is about breaking free from their roots to find success.
-"Ocean Avenue" is remembering the good times in their chiildhood.
-"Empty Apartment" is about a falling out with a close friend.
-"Life of a Salesman" is an appreciation anthem for Ryan Key(the lead singer)'s dad, a far cry from the "I hate you dad, why weren't you ever there fore me" lyrics we see so often.
- "View From Heaven" is a tribute to the band's lose friend who died in a car crash.
- "Believe" is about 9/11, a topic faced head-on and written beautifully.
- "Back Home" is almost the opposite of "Way Away", retrospecting on their hometown and missing the good things about it. Call it self-contradictory, but people are allowed to have positive and negative aspects on things, right?

Overall, one of the best CD's I have. I highly recommend it to the pop-rock fanatic.

Yellowcard's major label debut, is definitely not what i expected. As soon as word got out the YC signed with Capitol and the Underdog EP hit the stores, everyone said YC was headed downhill and turning mello, into your average hit-radio band. Well the guys have totally proved everyone wrong with there brand new release Ocean Avenue. The cd starts off with the solid rocking hit single "Way Away" This song in a way, pretty much shows off all the elements of the entire album. Unique guitar effects, followed by an emotional Ryan Key belting out some melodic yet meaningful lyrics, backed by Sean Mackin playing the most amazing violin playing to date. The violin is used on the cd almost as a third guitar, as at sounds like Sean and Ben fight back and forth from violin to guitar. Then all off these great elements are all kept in time, by the amazing drumming of LP. This cd just can't get any better, take One for the Kids, and the Underdg EP, mix them together, and multiply by about 100! This cd is filled with so much emotion and meaning, and yellowcard still finds a way to make it all get stuck in your head. Ocean Avenue, sends a little poppy vibe, but don't let it fool you, listen to the whole track, the ending solidifies the song. Life of a Salesman is just fast punk rock, reminds me of a NUFAN song for some reason, Only One, the band's allegid second single off the cd is an emotional song that will rock your socks off. Then on TwentyThree, the guys change it up a little, as Sean sings lead vocals. View from Heaven is my favorite song on the whole cd, it's dedicated to Scott Shad, the late drummer for Inspection 12 and extremely close friend of YC. The lyrics on that song are just amazing, and so well written. Believe, is a track about the tragedy of September 11th, and Key somehow again finds a way to perfect the song writting where its soo emotional, yet infectious with melody. The cd is extremely solid from start to finish, oh and don't forget the enhanced portion of the cd as well, it features some awesome footage of the making of the cd, and the video for "Powder" off of the Underdog EP. If you like music, buy this cd. Don't label it punk, or pop-punk, and please don't label it "emo". This cd's genre should be labeled "heart" it's for anyone who lives, has lost, and loves. This cd is truly One for the People.

Ocean Avenue did wonders for YC. They finally got onto the radio after about 7 years of working their @$$es off. And this album does not dissapoint. It has everything a good band needs to make it big. And compared to their first albums, "Midget Tossing", and "Where We Stand", this album is proof that any band can go from struggling to famous if they try.

I was never a Yellowcard fan, but after hearing "Only One" on the radio I borrowed the CD from a friend. I was blown away. This is honestly the best album I've heard in probably 10 years, and I listen to a LOT of music. Almost every song on the album is amazing, especially the non-radio hits like Empty Apartment, Back Home, Believe, and Inside Out. The violin adds a brilliant touch, and the lyrics are great (not just whining about girl problems like some other bands in this genre I won't mention).

These guys can play. They're obviously a young band, but they play not only with enthusiasm and verve, but with confidence.
It shows when they slow down the album for a song or two, and then ratchet it back up for a breakneck rocker.
"Ocean Ave" is an irresistible summer single; "Only One" a nice follow-up. There are several other potential singles on the disc, and fairly minimal filler.
Yes, the violin adds another texture to their sound, but it never sounds forced. It enables them to weave a country-ish thread to some of their urgent uptempo tunes. Again, I think it shows confidence in their sound.
"Life Of A Salesman" is a brisk tune; it wouldn't sound out of place on a Blink-182 album (a more recent Bilnk, I should specify...).
Another nice thing to say about the record is that this is my first encounter with Yellowcard, and hearing the album makes me want to investigate the rest of their catalog...a high compliment in my book.

I can't say how much I love this cd. I heard Yellowcard first on the radio when they played Ocean Avenue and I fell in love with the song right away. I didn't actually hear the album until my friend let me borrow it for a while. I almost didn't give it back. The very next chance I got I went and bought the cd. I see these guys as an idealistic band. They don't swear in their music, and all the songs have a message. What caught me the most, though, is the soul of their music. I was busy doing something one day and I had this album playing. "Believe" started playing and I dropped everything to sit down and listen to it. I almost cried, and I still do. It touches my heart everytime. And that's not the only song that does it.
1. Way Away- Brilliant way to start the album. Wonderful fast paced song.
2. Breathing- I love how this song starts. Awesome lyrics.
3. Ocean Avenue- I could hear this song a million times and still adore it. Extremely catchy.
4. Empty Apartment- Another song with awesome lyrics.
5. Life Of A Salesman- About the only song about fathers that actually makes me think of my dad. Good stuff.
6. Only One- The "apologize song" of the album. Shows the heart and soul the band puts into their music.
7. Miles Apart- Awesome violin as always. Cool love song.
8. Twenty-three- I really hope I'm never in the situation this song talks about, but that doesn't change the fact that it's a good song. Just about as catchy as O.A.
9. View From Heaven- More beautiful writing. All about the run-down life here on earth dealing with a lost love. Cool sound - sort of folk-ish.
10. Inside Out- I hummed this song for a whole day. Yeah, I know, I have some issues to work on.
11. Believe- By far the most touching song on the album. Every time I hear it I tear up (if you have a soul, you will too). There is a little known fact about this one. The violinist of the band was actually in one of the Towers during 9/11, and this song is about the fireman that led him and a group of people out of the building. The chorus, "everything is gonna be alright" are the words that the fireman kept repeating as he led the group out of the mess. The fireman died in the collapse of one of the towers, and this song is a tribute to him and all of the heroes of 9/11. This song is beautiful in its thanks to all of them. Violin is incredible in this song.
12. One Year, Six Months- Cool beginning. Shows the flexibility of the band. A smooth, calm song, not tearjerking or rock-out. Just pleasant.
13. Back Home- More catchy tunes. Good violin.

Absolutely one of my favorite albums in my collection. These guys will stay in the headlines and the hearts of their fans for a long time to come if they keep this up.