The Underdog EP,
YellowcardThere's a downright lack of fun in music at the minute - to me everything's gone a bit gloomy or thoughtful. With summer round the corner (well, here's hoping anyway!), it's about time bands came back and hit us with some summery, bouncy pop-punk anthems. While I'm waiting for the demos and records to sail through my letterbox, here's an oldie but a goldie. Fresh from their UK tour, Yellowcard released this EP on Fueled By Ramen during 2002 and it's just what the doctor ordered on a cold and snowy day.
YC aren't Earth-shatteringly original by any means, but their violin-filled pop-punk has more energy than a bag of Skittles. If you liked 'One For The Kids' or their major label debut 'Ocean Avenue', then this 5-tracker is more of the same. Ryan Key's spritely vocals are a world-away from his former band Craig's Brother, but while it is essentially harmless musically, there's enough thought in the subject matter lyrically. Opening track 'Underdog' is basically what the band are all about - spikey guitars and catchy choruses, something you'll find in abundance throughout.
'Avondale' is arguably the best of the five efforts, using the violin to best effect, while the sappy 'Finish Line' - allegedly written about The Starting Line - is easily the most obvious and contrived. Still, 'Powder' makes up for it with a crunchy guitar line and sombre violin, while Key's vocals again shine through. The closing 'Rocket' is impressive too, but then having made it this far you're probably already a YC fan. So yeah, while 'One For The Kids' is probably better, this will keep you going until the nights get a bit lighter. It's catchy pop-punk with intelligent use of a classical instrument - and variety is the spice of life after all...
www.yellowcardrock.com
Fueled By Ramen
Paul
