On “Life of a Salesman” lead singer Ryan Key believes he’ll be a better parent because of his own father’s example (“Taught me what was right, Dad/Opened up my eyes, Dad/Proud to call you my dad/Thank you for my life”). “Believe” cherishes family and honors the rescue crews that gave their lives on 9-11. In that song, Key says he hopes to live in a manner worthy of their sacrifice. The tragic death of a girlfriend is tempered by the hope of heaven (“View From Heaven”), however …
Key wishes that he’d been taken too, which could inspire hurting teens to choose heaven as a short-term fix (a mild profanity gets repeated as well). “One Year, Six Months” and “Ocean Avenue” allude to sexual intimacy within shaky or defunct dating relationships. “Twenty-three” uses the expression “I swear to god.” During a bout of loneliness, a guy seeks tranquillity with the help of a cigarette (“Light myself a smoke beneath the dark Atlantic sky”).
At times Ocean Avenue is a boulevard of broken dreams. Melancholy songs deal with disappointment, loss and bad romances. But as punk acts go, Yellowcard is no Green Day. These songs, aided by strains of classical violin, are less cynical than most in the genre. If only more of them were as strong as “Believe” and “Life of a Salesman.”
After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.