Yellowcard

The reissue of Florida punk-pop unit Yellowcard's 2001 Lobster debut, One for the Kids, certainly piggybacks on the exposure gained from the band's summer 2003 bow for Capitol. That said, if new (or old) fans liked Ocean Avenue, they'll likely love One for the Kids, especially in this updated version that includes the acoustic track "Rough Draft" and a load of previously unseen video footage. Musically, Kids plays like a rough draft for Ocean. Its edges are grittier, undulled by the production sheen that somewhat marred the Capitol effort. Highlights include "Rock Star Land" ("Christmas break of '98 just flipped me upside down"), the rousing opener "Struck," and the many moments that got them signed to the big time in the first place, when harmonies, Sean Mackin's fabulous violin, or sudden acoustic moments carry the band's crunchy punk revivalism past convetion and toward reinvention. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide