Yellowcard: Ocean Avenue
--Full Review
--Music Index
Yellowcard rocked out Ocean Avenue in 2003 but unfortunately, I did not experience them until late 2004. The album has been playing in my car for the last sixth months and I feel obliged to give them a shout-out here in my blog. Ryan Key’s vocals (and guitar), joined with the violin and vocals of Sean Mackin, the guitar of Benjamin Harper, the guitar and vocals of Pete Mosely and the drums of Longineu Parsons III provide ample rock and roll. The lyrics within the songs provide the listener with something to reflect on and upon further review, to relate with as well.
The first four songs deal primarily with interaction between lover and beloved in ways that speak to reconciliation and steering clear of past mistakes. “Way Away� and “Breathing� bring former and present relationships to the forefront of the band’s attention. In the first, the singer differentiates himself from someone/something who seems to hold back his words and belief—in the second, regret for the hurt the singer has caused a lover builds up and that forces separation that he cannot take back. “Ocean Avenue� yearns for all of the past problems and things that forced them apart to be forgotten so that the old days of love and fun could be returned. The singer takes the blame here but says in “Empty Apartment� that the other caused the separation by walking out. Pain and loneliness are prevalent in these first four but the overlying theme is one of hope: broken relationships may be restored in the future.
“Only One� addresses the pain that the singer feels and the desire he has to share those emotions with the person who understands him. Intended it seems for the woman who he admires, he addresses the mistakes that he has made and the pattern of leaving that he has come to expect of himself. The words Yellowcard uses here could describe the ways that we walk out on our relationship with God—we often feel the distance between us, and become discouraged by our feelings of inadequacy. While at times of wholeness and wellness we might understand God’s love for us, in these times we feel unworthy and disjointed from Him.
Death rises up to temper the optimism of the band but in “View from Heaven,� Yellowcard reflects on the absence of a loved one, apparently now dead, and looks to meet them again. Key sings “I hope that all is well in heaven/’cause it’s all shot to hell down here/I hope that I find you in heaven/’cause I’m so lost without you down here.� “Believe� also touches on death but from the perspective of someone saved, in a near death experience, who thanks the person who gave up life for them. “You still came back for me/You were strong and you believed� precedes each chorus of “Everything is gonna be alright� (three times)/�Be strong believe.� Given our assurance that we will see our loved ones (and many more!) again in heaven, the presence of death dampers but does not put out the fire of a Christian’s hope. The One who rescued each of us while facing certain death also provides us with the same emphasis on a hope and future—“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future� (Jeremiah 29:11).
Yellowcard remains hopeful, regardless of past mistakes, present blunders and loss of loved ones. While the spiritual aspects might require ‘reading into’ the lyrics, the bands effervescent attitude is a welcome addition to rock and roll. And when it comes down to it, I agree with them: the view from heaven will be much better than the view down here!
--Full Review
--Music Index
--Music Index
Yellowcard rocked out Ocean Avenue in 2003 but unfortunately, I did not experience them until late 2004. The album has been playing in my car for the last sixth months and I feel obliged to give them a shout-out here in my blog. Ryan Key’s vocals (and guitar), joined with the violin and vocals of Sean Mackin, the guitar of Benjamin Harper, the guitar and vocals of Pete Mosely and the drums of Longineu Parsons III provide ample rock and roll. The lyrics within the songs provide the listener with something to reflect on and upon further review, to relate with as well.The first four songs deal primarily with interaction between lover and beloved in ways that speak to reconciliation and steering clear of past mistakes. “Way Away� and “Breathing� bring former and present relationships to the forefront of the band’s attention. In the first, the singer differentiates himself from someone/something who seems to hold back his words and belief—in the second, regret for the hurt the singer has caused a lover builds up and that forces separation that he cannot take back. “Ocean Avenue� yearns for all of the past problems and things that forced them apart to be forgotten so that the old days of love and fun could be returned. The singer takes the blame here but says in “Empty Apartment� that the other caused the separation by walking out. Pain and loneliness are prevalent in these first four but the overlying theme is one of hope: broken relationships may be restored in the future.
“Only One� addresses the pain that the singer feels and the desire he has to share those emotions with the person who understands him. Intended it seems for the woman who he admires, he addresses the mistakes that he has made and the pattern of leaving that he has come to expect of himself. The words Yellowcard uses here could describe the ways that we walk out on our relationship with God—we often feel the distance between us, and become discouraged by our feelings of inadequacy. While at times of wholeness and wellness we might understand God’s love for us, in these times we feel unworthy and disjointed from Him.
Death rises up to temper the optimism of the band but in “View from Heaven,� Yellowcard reflects on the absence of a loved one, apparently now dead, and looks to meet them again. Key sings “I hope that all is well in heaven/’cause it’s all shot to hell down here/I hope that I find you in heaven/’cause I’m so lost without you down here.� “Believe� also touches on death but from the perspective of someone saved, in a near death experience, who thanks the person who gave up life for them. “You still came back for me/You were strong and you believed� precedes each chorus of “Everything is gonna be alright� (three times)/�Be strong believe.� Given our assurance that we will see our loved ones (and many more!) again in heaven, the presence of death dampers but does not put out the fire of a Christian’s hope. The One who rescued each of us while facing certain death also provides us with the same emphasis on a hope and future—“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future� (Jeremiah 29:11).
Yellowcard remains hopeful, regardless of past mistakes, present blunders and loss of loved ones. While the spiritual aspects might require ‘reading into’ the lyrics, the bands effervescent attitude is a welcome addition to rock and roll. And when it comes down to it, I agree with them: the view from heaven will be much better than the view down here!
--Full Review
--Music Index
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