One for the Kids

by

Yellowcard

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I first saw/heard Yellowcard when I clicked unknowingly on a banner on one of their websites. To my surprise, the song I downloaded was amazing (October Nights) and I immediately fell in love with this original, innovative, and just plain talented band. I say innovative and original because this band is the first (as far as I know) to implement a violin (yes, a violin!) into pop/emo punk rock. And, let me tell you, they do it well.

I got the CD and, the second I popped it into my stereo, I knew this band was for me. The CD starts off with a cool guitar melody and great guitar throughout the entire song complimented with great backing vocals. Even if this band didn't have a violinist, they would still be awesome because their guitar work itself is extraordinary. (This is found to be proven in this first track because there is no violin).

I love the song "Drifting" because his vocals sound somewhat eerie on the long, purely melodic vocal lines. The guitar fits perfectly into the structure. I love how the bass drops out with a quiet distortion guitar bridge type deal while building up between songs. This song implements the violin at about a minute thirty seconds with a harmonic riff.

As if the originality wasn't enough, Yellowcard plays an acoustic song next called "Something of Value." There's a great chorus here, "all that I needed to hear from you, something of value but something untrue..." The violinist hums (on his violin) calmly behind the acoustic. Also, great vocal abilities are displayed in this song, which just adds to make this song a great tune which is guaranteed to stick with you for at least a few minutes if not hours after listening.

"Trembling" has an eerie feel to it when the band says the first four words or so. It gets back to the driving sound displayed in the first tracks with great guitars. A great guitar solo is also played in this one.

"Sureshot" is one of the songs available for download at their mp3 site. It's a fast paced tune with more great vocals and a simply wonderful chorus. Yet again, more prowess displayed by the band with the fast guitar/violin solo riff.

The next song, "Big Apple Heartbreak," has a clean guitar riff deal during the verse which is amazing sounding. A great amount of guitar work was done on this song, just like the rest of the CD.

"Cigarette" is another calm song with an acoustic guitar (this one is fully acoustic). With more great vocal work, there is even a layered violin solo in it. I think they might have (unknowingly?) put this song right before "October Nights" to get listeners geared up and in a sense save their energy for their "single."

Ahh, finally, "October Nights." What a great song. From start to finish, the guitars, drums, violin, and vocals continue to bless my ears. Everything works perfectly together. Nothing sounds bad. I love how the violin plays while the singer sings. The lyrics are awesome "I wish the sun would hide his head so I could watch you dream some more..." This song is simply one of the best songs of all time in the pop-punk genre. From start to finish, no one can get sick of it. AMAZING.

"Rock Star Land" is a great track with awesome dual guitar soloing and awesome work all around the band, yet again. It's about California of course and the musical and lyric work in this tune are great. I love how the violin and guitars play a line dually soloing. "California...a place they said this is gold...I want to go there and never come back home" sticks in my head forever.

"For Pete's Sake" is my second favorite song on the disc. It starts out with a clean guitar only and a violin solo. I love how the guitars are chopping away while a guitar hacks out a riff. The song is fast and with simple chords after the intro. But then after the verse it goes into yet another amazing solo riff right before the chorus. The vocalist drops out with just the drums after awhile and leads into a dual guitar/violin solo into my favorite part..."woahh, you want it...woaah, you need it." I guess you would probably have to hear it but it sounds frickin amazing.

Finally, "A.W.O.L." is a slow tempo song with great vocals. They sound really good especially on the extended vocal lines.

I know this CD review might sound just TOO GOOD. But, truly, that's exactly what this CD is: GOOD. I don't give out straight tens very often. I must say, this CD is definitely one of the most innovative CDs I have ever listened to, even when discounting the violin! So, the violin adds even more innovation making it number one on my "most innovative" CD lists. Basically, this CD adds much hope to the growingly generic pop-punk scene and I recommend everyone get it. If you need a comparison to another band, I think the vocal work sounds a lot like Saves the Day. So, I guess, Saves the Day with a violinist might be somewhat accurate. Whatever the case, get the CD, I assure you will not be disappointed.

 

Overall: 10

Sound Quality: 10

Music Quality: 10

Production: 10

Originality: 10

I really like how they use the violin in this release. It makes them unique in the punk/pop genre. Even though the riffs are unusually hard and catchy, they do impelement the violin VERY well. But lyrics are kind of corny. They have a few acoustic songs on here, they arn't really good. The best being "Cigarette". "October Nights" is the best song on this CD, and its probably the one that got you listening to Yellowcard to begin with. You wont have this CD spinning for a long time. All in and all, its a good album. But no-where near a classic. Yellowcard has potential to make a great album, as you can see in their Underdog EP. They are gradually getting better.