15 Greatest Pop Punk Albums Of The 2000s

5. Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue

Yellowcard Ocean Avenue
Capitol
For a brief time at the early part of the decade, pop punk had managed a sturdy foothold in mainstream radio. It makes sense, considering that so much of the genre dealt with universal themes of love, loss, and loneliness that resonated exceptionally well with teenagers and twentysomethings alike.

And Yellowcard was the poster child for SoCal pop punk's mainstream crossover, despite originating in Florida, bolstered by the unstoppable radio hit "Ocean Avenue."

Luckily then, Yellowcard manages to tackle the nuances of relationships - whether they be with girls, parents, or even God - with a much more thoughtful approach than the majority of their peers. The songs aren't overpacked with broad cliches and platitudes, which makes it easier to sing along to the choruses even as an adult.

Of course, it's the instrumentation that really stands out. Sean Mackin's violin playing adds a slight folksy twang that fits in well with the more nostalgic, sentimental songs like "Empty Apartment" and "View From Heaven," but it also propels the fast and furious opening track, "Way Away." It's on these harder rock songs that the imaginative interplay between violin and lead guitar really gets to shine.

 
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