ATP! Album Review: Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue Acoustic

This acoustic version of Ocean Avenue is more than just a treat for serious Yellowcard fans.

Ocean Avenue Acoustic is a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the band's multi-platinum selling album. It’s been a long time coming and it’s well-deserved, and in a way it’s a celebration of Yellowcard’s career. Though this move does not lack for nostalgia, the record that made them famous finally getting the acoustic treatment really shows how far the band has come. Though Ocean Avenue may be the album that comes to define them - and for some people, already does - this new twist really shows how comfortable, mature and passionate the band still is in its own skin despite being a decade on from their seminal record's original release date (and taking a two year break during that time). Yellowcard may have come full circle, but they’re far from done.

Ocean Avenue does more than just survive the transition from electric to acoustic, it relishes in the change. The sounds are embossed, especially the violin (for obvious reasons), and even the charged-up ‘Way Away’ becomes something other, gaining a grace that just couldn’t be seen in its original arrangement. Even the title-track seems to have gained something amazing. Perhaps it’s simply the change of timbre, or perhaps it’s ten years of playing these songs and having people love them. Either way, or both ways, this is a great piece of art, and manages to be both fresh and nostalgic while celebrating an amazing career in music.

5/5

Edward Strickson

Ocean Avenue Acoustic will be released on August 13th via Hopeless Records.