When pop punk was on its peak and bands
like blink-182, Sum 41 and Green Day were played on the radio all day
long, one of the greatest albums of the scene was Yellowcard's “Ocean
Avenue”. Released in 2003, the album was convincing with a mix of
impressive punk songs and heartbreaking ballads. Also the use of a
violin in many songs was pretty cool. The smash-hits “Ocean Avenue”
and “Way Away” got a lot of reputation in the scene. Now, ten
years later, the band around the charismatic singer Ryan Key,
published an acoustic version of the whole album simply called “Ocean
Avenue Acoustic”.
The album cover looks very similar to the original cover and all songs are in the same order. The first 3 songs “Way Away”, “Breathing” and “Ocean Avenue ” are very loud for an acoustic record. The drums are as fast and as hard as the drums on the original songs. Furthermore, the bass guitar is a little bit too loud.
“Empty Apartment”, which was already half acoustic in the original version, is now completely acoustic and has beautiful guitar and vilolin parts in it. In “Miles Apart” you have loud drums again and the peaceful atmosphere gets lost. “Only One” and the amazing “Believe” (which prevents teenagers from depression since 2003) are still awesome songs when played in acoustic but they kind of lost the “Fire” they had back in 2003. “One Year Six Months” is played on a piano, so it slightly breaks up the album before “Back Home” finishes the record with a nostalgic touch.
All in all I have to admit that I'm a little disappointed by the album. Of course all the songs are very well written, but the original album from 2003 is way better than the acoustic version. It seems like Yellowcard didn't try very hard to give the songs their own spirit. Almost every song is played exactly like the orignals, just with acoustic guitars.
However, its a great album for an evening you spend with your girlfriend or for having a good time with your friends or you can just listen to the songs and imagine you are back in 2003.
At least for 49 minutes. nostalgia is in the air.
Stay true to yourself.
The album cover looks very similar to the original cover and all songs are in the same order. The first 3 songs “Way Away”, “Breathing” and “Ocean Avenue ” are very loud for an acoustic record. The drums are as fast and as hard as the drums on the original songs. Furthermore, the bass guitar is a little bit too loud.
“Empty Apartment”, which was already half acoustic in the original version, is now completely acoustic and has beautiful guitar and vilolin parts in it. In “Miles Apart” you have loud drums again and the peaceful atmosphere gets lost. “Only One” and the amazing “Believe” (which prevents teenagers from depression since 2003) are still awesome songs when played in acoustic but they kind of lost the “Fire” they had back in 2003. “One Year Six Months” is played on a piano, so it slightly breaks up the album before “Back Home” finishes the record with a nostalgic touch.
All in all I have to admit that I'm a little disappointed by the album. Of course all the songs are very well written, but the original album from 2003 is way better than the acoustic version. It seems like Yellowcard didn't try very hard to give the songs their own spirit. Almost every song is played exactly like the orignals, just with acoustic guitars.
However, its a great album for an evening you spend with your girlfriend or for having a good time with your friends or you can just listen to the songs and imagine you are back in 2003.
At least for 49 minutes. nostalgia is in the air.
Stay true to yourself.
Cheers, Andy.
Rating: 7/10
Songs for listening: Empty Apartment, View From Heaven, Back Home
Rating: 7/10
Songs for listening: Empty Apartment, View From Heaven, Back Home
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