Ocean Avenue - Yellowcard

...introducing to me to their ocean avenue album, I have listened to it non stop. It's a blink182 type band but with better lyrics in my case, and anyone who reads my music reviews will know that I love lyrics within the songs more than anything as well as the actual beat, rhythm and instruments in the song. Lyrics to me are what makes you think, and can symbolise how you think, feel things and how you can change your mood. They make you who you are ...
...MTV2 award for their album ocean avenue and so far, this album; Ocean Avenue, has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide, so I reckon the band are doing pretty well. Anyway… here goes for the album.

****Way away****

The lyrics within this song are all about getting out of where you don't want to be and want to be somewhere else. Like if you're stuck in a dead end relationship and feel as if you're suffocated and alone ... more

Being a Yellowcard convert recently, thanks to a certain someone out there introducing to me to their ocean avenue album, I have listened to it non stop. It's a blink182 type band but with better lyrics in my case, and anyone who reads my music reviews will know that I love lyrics within the songs more than anything as well as the actual beat, rhythm and instruments in the song. Lyrics to me are what makes you think, and can symbolise how you think, feel things and how you can change your mood. They make you who you are and what you are in life, and I think that Yellowcard lyrics totally rock. So without further ado, here goes:

****Biography****

The actual band consists of only four band member's excluding the own band's songwriter's. On the vocals (that's singing to me and you) and on the guitar, is Ryan Keane, on the bass and keyboard is Pete Mosley, the violinist is Sean Macklin and recently, they have just got a new guitarist in, Ryan Mendez. Two years ago, at the MTV music video awards, Yellowcard were presented the MTV2 award for their album ocean avenue and so far, this album; Ocean Avenue, has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide, so I reckon the band are doing pretty well. Anyway… here goes for the album.

****Way away****

The lyrics within this song are all about getting out of where you don't want to be and want to be somewhere else. Like if you're stuck in a dead end relationship and feel as if you're suffocated and alone within, no matter what you try, so you break away. This could also be connected to turning into an adult and breaking free of childhood, and your parents, like your becoming independent for the first time in your life, but things could go wrong. Within this song are brilliant lyrics that are perfect for when you are angry or mad.

The song starts off pretty rocky and upbeat, leading into the actual song itself. This one reminds me of blink182 in a big way, but the lyrics change the whole style of the song. Suddenly, they don't seem so much like blink 182. A nine out of ten as the lyrics tend to repeat over and over.

'And even though I know
That everything might go
Go downhill from here, I'm not afraid

Way away away from here I'll be
Way away away so you can see
How it feels to be alone and not believe'

Breathing

The lyrics within this song is all about throwing a love away, and all for what…Nothing at the end of the tunnel. It's all about being in love, making mistakes and having secrets locked tight behind your lips, but if you tell the person you love this, they get hurt, yet if you don't tell them, they still get hurt. In the end, you feel as if you can't give them anything, and so you decide to end it to try now to hurt them as much. A brilliant song if you have heartbreak's or wanting to break up with someone.

The actual song starts of with a guitar and just a few strings and then after about ten seconds goes into the actual rockier part of the song. It reminds me of a heavier version of blink 182 and this is a brilliant track. Overall, this is a fantastic song, and a ten out of ten for the whole track!

'Something I've been keeping locked away behind my lips
I can feel it breaking free with each and every kiss
I couldn't bear to hurt you but it's all so different now
Things that I was sure of, they have filled me up with doubt

And I can feel you breathing
And it's keeping me awake
Can you feel it beating?
My heart's sinking like a weight'

****Ocean Avenue****

This is a story of lovers, young lovers to be precise who loved each other so much, yet after so long, decided to end things, even though afterwards, seeing the look in the other person's eyes, you regret doing that instantly because you had a something that was the closest thing you'd ever had to love. Part of you, years later wishes that you were still with them because of all the memories you had together. The lyrics are weaker than the other two, but the lyrics are still pretty good.

This song is a more downbeat song off this album, and doesn't have as much on the drums as the other two songs. It's more of a slower song and doesn't seem as rock. It really reminds me of blink 182's album's especially the song's off of their enema of state album. Overall, I really don't like this song as much, the lyrics don't seem to attract me as much, but the beat is good. So I give this song a eight and a half out of ten.

'There's a piece of you that's here with me
It's everywhere I go, it's everything I see
When I sleep, I dream and it gets me by
I can make believe that you're here tonight
That you're here tonight'

****Empty apartment****

The lyrics within this song are all about trying to say goodbye to the girl of your dreams who has just said goodbye to you. Up until now in the album, it's been about them saying goodbye or both people in the relationship saying goodbye. This is the turn around point where it's these guys being said goodbye to, and hoping that maybe you can be friends one day. This song is all about being heartbroken because you've been said goodbye to. It certainly changes the mood of the band and the album, and shows you that although you might be the one who says goodbye to most of the people you go out with, date and have fun with, there will be times when you yourself are said goodbye to and then you'll hurt. I think there's a hidden message within this that reads, 'what goes around comes around' and so to think about the feeling of the other person when you are doing the finishing of the relationship, because you will feel like that someday.

This is a really slow quieter song, and adds a feeling to the whole album. It shows that not all rock bands have to be loud, upbeat songs, but can also be slower and more feeling can be added into the lyrics over the top of the song. There is less drums to begin with and then it definitely picks up beat closer to the end of the song.

Answer no to these questions
Let her go, learn a lesson
It's not me, you're not listening now
can't you see something's missing?
You forget where the heart is

****Life of a salesman****

For all you men out there, was there ever a point in your time when you were in between adolescence and adulthood where you looked up to your dad and thanked him for making you the man you are today. Well the life of a salesman has a simple meaning; the salesman is your dad, selling you information to make you the man you are today. One day you are with him, looking up to him, trying to be like him, the next you are in almost the same position in life as your dad, where he can't really teach you anymore, but you can at least thank for being there, for helping you, for loving you during your life. You also then think about when you become a dad, and whether or not you will be a good dad or not. As I am not a man, this song and the lyrics don't really apply to me as such, but I recommend anyone male who is in their mid-late teens to listen to this song and pay close attention to the lyrics.

This background music once again has a hint of blink 182 within it and reminds me of blink 182's song down at the start of the song. I suppose it's got the same sort of beat within it. Apart from that, it's got more of a pop feel to this song rather than rock, but it's still a good song to listen to. A eight and a half out of ten once again due to the lyrics not really being able to relate to me in anyway. But it's still a good song.

When I am a dad, dad
I'm gonna be a good dad
Do the best you could, dad
Always understood, dad
Taught me what was right, dad
Opened up my eyes, dad
Glad to call you my, dad
Thank you for my life, dad

****Only one****

This is a brilliant song, and the lyrics are fab as well within this song. This isn't my favourite song on the album, but it definitely is one of my favourites. Once again, this is about relationship problems and wanting the other person so much, but you can't tell them the truth about how you feel in fear of losing them. But you have to let them go in the end because there isn't much left in the end. You've made the mistakes and let them down, and you just end up letting go. But part of you doesn't want let them go, and get over them, you want to stay with them forever and they are the only one for you. Hence the title. Only one, you are my only one and that's a brilliant title. Eventually, at the end of the song, in order to break up with them, you just tell them half the truth to try and save face in front of them, and to try not to break down in front of them.

The music within this piece makes this song what it is and it is fantastic. It certainly has gone back to the original idea of being a rock band, and follows the first two songs on this album perfectly. It starts off slow, and then builds up to be more of a rock song, adding more bass, guitar, violin and drums with more of a beat and rhythm. Overall, a definite nine and three quarters on this song.

'Here I go, scream my lungs out and try to get to you
You are my only one
I let go, there's just no one that gets me like you do
You are my only, my only one

Made my mistakes, let you down
And I can't, I can't hold on for too long
Ran my whole life in the ground
And I can't, I can't get up when you're gone'

****Miles apart****

This song has the most wonderful lyrics and it's what makes this song one of four top songs on this whole album. The lyrics are seriously romantic and dedicated to that special someone you miss and want to be back with so badly. It's all about wanting all those precious memories within that relationship you enjoyed so much, to start all over again and to happen again. Have any of you reading this actually had a relationship when you were in college or even the top half of school where you would give anything to have some of those memories happen again, or even a relationship just gone by. But the thing that ended that relationship was because you had to move away, maybe universities, jobs, family, anything, and that's what tore the whole relationship apart, not because you wanted to end it, but because you felt you had to end it, because long distance relationships don't always work, especially when you're young. Overall, the lyrics have their moments, like when I'm on camp where I feel as if they relate to me in a weird way. The lyrics within this song are fantastic and brilliant.

The music in the background suits the lyrics perfectly. They start off slower and once again more pop like, more like busted to begin with, but then picks up and once again reminds me of blink182. When you get to the end chorus, the song has revolved back to the Yellowcard rock music and is a brilliant way to end the song. Overall, I give this song a fantastic ten out of ten.

'If I could I would do all of this again
Travel back in time with you to where this all began
We could hide inside ourselves and leave the world behind
And make believe there's something left to find

We'll be miles apart
I'll keep you deep inside
You're always in my heart
A new life to start
I may be leaving but you're always in my heart'

****Twenty three****

The lyrics in this song are about regretting what you said to that special person within your life and a few years on, their still mad at you, even though you've tried your best to make it up to them and apologise what you've done. I mean we all make mistakes in life right, so why not forgive and forget? But I guess that the relationship went so wrong in the end to make the mistake of saying something wrong and nasty about the other person. So the age of the guys within this song is twenty three and is a few years on from the mistake being made yet the other person is still mad at you.

This song has a pop-moderated rock feel to the music within this song and is fab. It definitely has a more upbeat backing to the whole song that's for sure. Overall, I think that this song is a nine out of ten, but it is still a fab song in my books.

'I got to tell you that he waited all his life
For someone like you to come make the wrong things right
I know he didn't have the answers all the time
But you can't tell me that you've never told a lie'

****View from heaven****

The lyrics are all about losing someone and hoping that they're happy up in heaven. You dream about them and think about them each and every day, and this really adds a different feeling once again to the whole album, as most of this has been about relationships with love, and this time, it's about love in general and losing someone close to you, wishing you could say goodbye to that special person. We don't know exactly who the band is talking about within this song, but we can guess that it could have been a partner close to a band member of some sort. Definitely heartfelt lyrics within this song.

This is definitely a slower song out of the album, and has more violin music in the whole song, which gives it more of a country feel to the whole piece. The song starts off more upbeat and then slows down towards the end as the lyrics become more heartfelt. Overall, I rate this song a nine out of ten as it hasn't got the most fascinating backing music to it, but the lyrics really are fab!

'I only need one more day
just one more chance to say
I wish that I had gone up with you too
and I'm sure the view from heaven
beats the hell out of mine here
and if we all believe in heaven
maybe we'll make it through one more year
down here'

****Inside out****

This is my least favourite song within the whole album I think. The lyrics are good and the backing music is good, but it does depress me a little. The lyrics are all about thinking that the other person you are with is only with you out of pity and feeling sorry for you because you have no-one. So eventually the relationship ends because things don't go right. But you did spend half your time worrying about them in the mean time and you end up hoping that they'll feel guilty, regretful and jealous about the whole end of the relationship. The lyrics are good, especially if you feel as if the other person in your relationship is faking the whole thing and is using you.

The music within the background is pretty good, and has a lot more guitar and bass in the song. There is more of just one beat though, and doesn't seem to change all that much. Overall, I rate this song as a eight out of ten. It is still a good song though.

'Here. A little sympathy for you to waste on me
I know you're faking it but that's okay
and I don't want to drag it out
don't want to bring you down
I never wanted it to end this way'

****Believe****

This is another brilliant song in my books from this album. The lyrics within this song are once again fantastic and I think whoever yellowcard's song writing team are, they totally rule! There are a lot of metaphors used within this song and definitely warm my heart with the lyrics. I think this song was based around the 911 twin towers because there is an area within the song where they say, 'Again today, we take into our hearts and minds those who perished on this site one year ago, and also those who came to toil in the rubble to bring order out of chaos, to help us make sense of our despair' and I have a feeling it's to do with the twin towers. Its brilliant lyrics to go with the twin towers if it does go with it. Ever felt as if your in a life threatening situation, and aren't going to come out alive, yet if you come out alive, you make a mental list of all the things that you will do if you come out alive. There may also be hope out there that may have saved someone's life before you and then they came back for you. The metaphors and words used within this song really do come from the heart and I love them.

The music is definitely upbeat and more rock once again in this album. It starts off with a violin introduction and then gets into the main part of the music in the song. The actual music suits the lyrics perfectly once again and overall, I would rate this as a ten out of ten, as I love this song big time.

'Think about the love inside the strength of heart
Think about the heroes saving life in the dark
Climbing higher through the fire, time was running out
Never knowing you weren't going to be coming down alive
But you still came back for me
You were strong and you believed'

****One year six months****

This is my final favourite song within the album itself and reminds anyone out there who have just suffered from a break up or coming to the end of a relationship. All the memories that they have of each other, what they did, when they did it, all those nights you spent up talking, playing or even fooling around with each other, and now it's all gone, and you can't remember what you were in the relationship for, and what you enjoyed until you look back on those memories that you loved so dearly. I think the lyrics can really touch your heart especially if you are in a now broken down relationship, or a break up. The lyrics really are perfect and I cannot word this well enough to tell you how much I love this song, and out of my favourite's, I think this is the best one as it honestly grabs my heart each time I listen to it.

The music slows down on this song again, and is mainly acoustic so it's perfect for anyone who wants to play this song on their guitars out there. It definitely wins my heart, especially the chorus parts as it just grabs my heart each time, yes Yellowcard, any of you willing to give me your number, go for it, I would be more than willing if you play that song for me. A perfect ten out of ten for this magical song and I hope that this is my song one day.

'So many nights, legs tangled tight
Wrap me up in a dream with you
Close up these eyes, try not to cry
All that I've got to pull me through is memories of you
Memories of you

I'm falling into memories of you and things we used to do
Follow me there
A beautiful somewhere
A place that we can share
Falling into memories of you and things we used to do'

****Back home****

This is a good song, but I can't really understand the lyrics as much as the other songs. My guess is that this song is about travelling the world and thinking that your family and friends back home would like to see these views, but thing is, is that you want to go back home because you've realised that's what you miss and want most now. Also, although once upon a time ago, you were eagerly awaiting to be free and to do what you want, yet now you just want to be back with those people you loved most, just to have a hug or a smile from them.

The music within this song is more upbeat than the last song, but isn't acoustic anymore. The song's music is brilliant and has an element of individuality and the beat in the song makes you want to tap the tune all day long. Overall, a eight and a quarter out of ten.

'Another sunny day beneath this cloudless sky
Sometimes I wish that it would rain here
And wash away the west coast dreaming from my eyes
There's nothing real for them to see here…

…I'm sure back home they'd love to see it
But they don't know that what you love is ripped away
Before you get a chance, before you get a chance to feel it'

****Conclusion****

Well what more could I ask for? Fantastic singing, fantastic music to go with the perfect lyrics, perfect guitar, drum, keyboard, bass and violin players, and they really are a brilliant band. Overall, I think I'd have to say that one year six months is my all time favourite song, but still, there are many fantastic songs within this album and I suggest you all going out and buying it if you have any relationship problems and need to listen you heart away, if you like Blink182, or rock. All of these elements suggest that you will enjoy this album.

Price and availability: this album is available at most good music stores, like HMV for the price of £9.99 - £12.99.

Website: http://www.yellowcardrock.com

Thanks for reading and sorry if I have rambled on too much again in a music review… I can't help it…its like Pringles…. Once you pop you can't stop :-)

Angiexxx copyright 2006
 

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