Ten years is a long time in the music industry. Over such a period a band can change completely, developing or fizzling out. Tours are undertaken, albums made, line-ups changed. But certain parts of a band's history always remain. Back in 2003, Yellowcard released ‘Ocean Avenue’, a record that changed everything and set them on the road to pop-punk stardom.
Now, the band, fronted by guitarist and vocalist Ryan Key, have honoured that period in their history by releasing and touring ‘Ocean Avenue Acoustic’, a full reinterpretation of the original record. But, why did this particular album's 10th birthday deserve a celebration?
"We just wanted to do more than a tour," Key said. "By doing the acoustic version of 'Ocean Avenue' we are able to give our fans something new as well as build the tour around the record. We started talking about doing the tour last year and shortly after decided to start recording.
"We owe everything to those 13 songs. Without 'Ocean Avenue' so many opportunities that followed would not have been possible. For me, it is just a very real dream come true. The success we achieved with Ocean Avenue was so much more than we could have ever imagined."
‘Ocean Avenue Acoustic’ will clearly produce a wave of nostalgia for fans, and perhaps those who haven’t given the original a spin in a while, and Yellowcard were keen to avoid stripping away too much of what made the original recording a hit.
"There was a lot of nostalgia,” Key said. "Singing the words again brought a whole new life to the songs for me. Trying to recall where I was then, but also applying the songs to where I am now. I think we just wanted to keep the energy of the original versions. We didn't want to reinvent the wheel. We just wanted to make something for the Yellowcard fans that have been with us for so many years. I don't think they would have wanted us to mess with the songs too much."
For the band, re-recording their breakthrough album also offered them a chance to find new favourites among their back-catalogue, with certain songs developing extra dimensions in an acoustic setting.
"Back Home is probably my favourite track on the acoustic record," Key said. "I love the brushes on the drums, and the big open tuned chords. Also I think Ocean Avenue, the song, really stands out still even in this acoustic setting."
Revisiting former glories can awaken both good and bad memories for any band, but for Yellowcard, ‘Ocean Avenue’ remains an important touchstone. How would they have reacted if they’d been able to see everything its release would bring?
"I probably would have just laughed," Key said. "Everything that happened was so unimaginable going into the recording. I think that is part of what made it so special. It was all so unexpected. All over the world fans continue to regard 'Ocean Avenue' as maybe the most important Yellowcard record. It is the album that brought so many of us together. It took us to other countries for the first time. I hope everyone finds something special within 'Ocean Avenue Acoustic' as well."
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