I’m going to be swift and clean with this one. Yellowcard play radio format punk rock with one difference between the masses and themselves: They use a violin. Does that add to the sound or to the personality of Yellowcard? Hardly. Expect mere sing-alongs on Ocean Avenue (“Way Away” and “Ocean Avenue”). Record labels love bands like Yellowcard. One spin on any radio station and the nation sings along, buys the album, hoping to expect more to sing along to and damn, you’ve got yourselves a hit album.

Are we suckers or what? So yes, the quality of Ocean Avenue are the catchy made-for-radio tracks, well produced, ingredients that add to the immediate pleasure. People, this is instant gratification in a way even Green Day can’t deliver it.