Yellowcard – One For The Kids

I have really enjoyed what I have heard of the bands ‘Ocean Avenue’ album and was really looking forward to listening to this CD. Obviously I was expecting that this CD would be a bit different, and inevitably not as good seeing as it was released four years ago – but this is just stupid. This album is devoid of any real excitement, and the vocals often sound really out of tune.

The power which comes across through the violins on the tracks from ‘Ocean Avenue’ really doesn’t come across here, and as a result listening to this CD is a far less enjoyable experience. As I have already mentioned, the vocals on this album often sound really terrible and are at a lot of times painfully out of tune. There are some moments of promise on display in this album, but just when you think it’s getting good the band go and spoil it and throw in another bum note.

This is a truly off putting album by the band and really not a good reflection of the band and where they are today. I really don’t know how the band got signed to a major on the basis of this release as it really is quite terrible. This album is really rather dull, lacklustre, monotonous, mundane and generic. There’s very little to be gained from this CD – if you were a fan of hit album ‘Ocean Avenue’ then I would advise you not to check out this earlier offering as it’s really not worth your time or money. I honestly won’t be listening to this album ever again.

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The Outer Limits – One Final Patronising Kiss

This latest EP from the band really is a nice, welcome surprise. It sees the band take on a much heavier approach than on the last CD – this really suits the band sounds, and gives the guitarist a real chance to show off his Metal influences with high energy, metallic riffs frequenting the EP.

There are five tracks on display this time around, and in these five tracks the band show that they are still a force to be reckoned with, and as I suspected in my last review the band have indeed matured, progressed and most certainly improved since they recorded the last demo CD back in January 2004. Tracks one through four are a fine portrayal of the bands heavy, fun, and fast music which never fails to put a smile on your face. On the basis of the last demo, I said that The Outer Limits were a Ska band – this can no longer be said of them really as although the horns are still present in the tracks, they are much more embedded, and help the band create a deep and highly exciting sound. The band have definitely taken the best bit about them – their heaviness, and transformed their sound to give every track this fast, heavy style which they do so well.

From this CD, I particularly like the second track on the CD, ‘Christ Was A Utilitarian.’ It has an awesome guitar solo opening, and this leads you into the main body of the track perfectly, and with significant style. Throughout this track, and indeed throughout the entire duration of the CD the female vocals sound excellent with their melodic and heartfelt, yet powerful style. These vocals work really well, and when the male vocals kick in every so often, the two styles work perfectly together and the vocals collaboration really does sound amazing. The guitar ability shown on this CD really is quite extraordinary; the guitarist in The Outer Limits is clearly very talented and most certainly has a bright future ahead of him. The bass lines in this CD also sound great, and the drums provide the perfect backbone for the band.

Where the band decided to end with a fast paced, heavier track on the last demo – on this EP the band go for an acoustic effort in the form of ‘Exit Pursued By A Glare.’ This is a catchy little tune, and brings the CD to a calm closure. It sounds absolutely amazing, with the male, female vocal collaboration again working perfectly and making way for another fine tune. Once again, the band manages to end their CD in great style and leaving you thirsty for more. Again, I really can’t wait for their next offering and will be eagerly awaiting the bands next CD, which I am sure will show great finesse, and pure musical brilliance.

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