Ocean Avenue is the fourth studio album by American rock band Yellowcard. It was released on July 22, 2003, through Capitol Records. After touring to promote their third album One for the Kids in 2001, the band signed to the label in early 2002. Following this, bassist Warren Cooke left the band in mid-2002, and was replaced by Inspection 12 guitarist Peter Mosely. In February and March 2003, the band recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California, with Neal Avron. Ocean Avenue is a pop-punk and punk rock album, which was compared to Blink-182 and Simple Plan.
Before Yellowcard's promotional tour of Ocean Avenue, Mosely was replaced by Alex Lewis. Yellowcard appeared on the Warped Tour, during which "Way Away" was released as the album's lead single on July 22, 2003. The band went on a club tour of the United States, before going on tour with Less Than Jake and Fall Out Boy. "Ocean Avenue" was released as the second single on December 16, 2003. Lewis departed from the band and was replaced by Mosely before a co-headlining tour with Something Corporate and a stint in Europe. "Only One" was released as the third single in June 2004; they toured Europe, Australia, and Japan. "Believe" was released as the fourth single in September 2004, which was followed by a US tour.
Ocean Avenue received mostly positive reviews from music critics, some of whom commented on Sean Mackin's violin playing and songwriting quality. The album peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard 200, as well as number 8 in New Zealand, and number 149 in the UK. The album was certified platinum in the US by the RIAA, gold in Canada by Music Canada, and silver in the UK by the BPI. "Way Away" and "Only One" appeared high on the US Alternative Airplay chart; "Ocean Avenue" peaked at number 37 on the US Hot 100, and within the top 100 in Scotland and the UK alongside "Way Away". "Ocean Avenue" was certified double platinum by the RIAA and silver by the BPI. "Only One" was certified gold in the US.
In the years following its release, the album has received retrospective acclaim and is widely viewed as one of the greatest pop-punk albums of all time.
Background and production
In April 2001, Yellowcard released their third studio album One for the Kids through Lobster Records. It was promoted with a tour of the southern United States with Inspection 12, and a two-week tour of the US West Coast with Bordem. Yellowcard had moved from Florida to California, with the hopes of someone from a label would be attached to them. Harper said their manager was adamant about finding them a different label, and made pitches to a number of labels. By April 2002, it was reported that the band had signed to Capitol Records, one of a few major labels who showed interest. Harper said the interest came from a friend of their booking agent, who in turn was friends with an A&R representative at Capitol. This person had seen the band live at six-to-seven of their gigs and won over others at the label. The band subsequently met with Capitol and two other labels, ultimately picking Capitol. Harper explained that Capitol were "just the coolest people. Their president, their vibe, and everything - they have a big catalogue" of acts such as the Beatles, Megadeth, and Pink Floyd. Frontman Ryan Key also reasoned that listeners were unable to purchase One for the Kids in stores due to a lack of distribution and wanted a label that could rectify that.
In June and July 2002, the band appeared on Warped Tour, which coincided with the release of the band's second EP The Underdog EP on July 2, through Fueled by Ramen. Capitol Records had licensed the EP to Fueled by Ramen as not to lose the band punk credibility. Two days after its release, bassist Warren Cooke left the band, citing personal reasons; violinist Sean Mackin said there was in-fighting between them up to eight months before this occurred. Cooke spot was temporarily filled by members of other acts on the tour, Home Grown and the Starting Line. On July 21, 2002, Inspection 12 guitarist Peter Mosely joined Yellowcard as their bassist. In October and November 2002, the band supported No Use for a Name on their headlining US tour, and played a few shows with the Starting Line and Park. In February 2003, Yellowcard played a handful of West Coast shows with Park and Stole Your Woman.