I have a very vivid memory of being in Asbury Park, leaving the Skate and Surf Fest and being approached by a young man who asked me if I knew who Yellowcard were. As i answered yes, he inquired if i could name any songs not from 2003's "Ocean Avenue." I replied by listing titles from "One For the Kids," which came out two years earlier. He was impressed, gave me a high-five and I continued to walk down the boardwalk.
I loved this album in 2001. I thought the use of violins was so "interesting" and cool. The lead singer was a hottie. That is all i needed in the early 2000s.
When I queued One for the Kids up on Spotify, I was immediately reminded how great the first track, "Starstruck," is. I thought this was going to be a no brainer! Of course this album is great! And then song #2 came on. "Drifting Away" is a nasely mess. Skip! "Something Value" is an acoustic gem. Okay, album redeemed. Powering through all the following songs was painful. "Cigarette" was the only other track I could listen to in full.
In a few words, this album does not hold up. It has a few good songs. But this is just an example of when teenage nativity takes over the eardrums.
But boy did this band make violins cool....and I will always love "Something of Value." It is one of the meanest songs ever.
