Yellowcard
Ocean Avenue
2003, Capitol
pop punk, alternative
½
In interviews, lead singer Ryan Key of Yellowcard has often disputed the idea that the band is ‘pop punk’ and claims they are ‘pop rock.’ In my opinion, their debut Ocean Avenue shows Yellowcard is infinitely more ‘pop’ than they are ‘pop punk,’ but that’s beside the point.
As a debut, Ocean Avenue still stands as a testament to the various strengths and weaknesses of this band. Yellowcard would incorporate Sean Mackin’s violin more in Lights and Sounds and would later revert to a darker punk sound in Paper Walls, but their debut still hold a good mix of pop punk – one that might take itself too seriously at times but still catchy enough to listen to. As for lyrics, look to Lights and Sounds for something that isn’t boring.
“Breathing,” “Empty Apartment,” “One Year, Six Months.”
myspace, last.fm
Yellowcard’s Lights and Sounds, The Starting Line’s Based on a True Story
½
