Convocation is arguably the best intro to a Yellowcard album, and the run from Fragile and Dear through to California (one of the best closers they've written) is fantastic (sans My Mountain). Second half of Lift A Sail is far superior to the first half, and I feel a lot of people were turned off by that.
I like the “darker” heavier sounding YC as much as the sunny side so I can hear you on this. Having said that, I’ve always seen S/T as a second attempt at LaS which worked more in theory but less in execution imo. Loved some of the songs but it always felt like something was missing.
They expanded their sound so much on the last third of their career. Some of the songwriting choices they've made impress me still to this day. This wasn't your usual pop punk, and I'm still glad they stepped away from that scene a little. I do get those who prefer their earlier sound, so I'm not trying to come at anyone lol. I can't think of a better send off.
Ocean Avenue>Paper Walls>Southern Air>>Lift a Sail>WYTTSY/Self titled>Lights and Sounds>One For the Kids. I like all the records, I don't think any of them were bad. Think I've said it before, but Ocean Avenue just gets the nod because it's aged so well compared to a lot of pop punk albums of its time. The song writing on that album is fantastic and has helped it endure. Not going to fight anyone who has Paper Walls/Southern Air as their favourites though, both excellent.
Southern Air Paper Walls Ocean Avenue Lights and Sounds WYTTSY Yellowcard Lift A Sail One For The Kids
Fuck, I need to go through their discography again. I don't think I've heard a few album of theirs at all in like a couple years
A couple slots probably shift whenever I try to rank their records, but Yellowcard Southern Air Lift A Sail WYTTSY Lights and Sounds Ocean Avenue Paper Walls One For The Kids
Looks like best to worst? Paper Walls Ocean Avenue Lights and Sounds WYTTSY Southern Air Yellowcard Lift A Sail One For The Kids
When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes (my high school days: the album) Southern Air Lift A Sail Paper Walls (it could be #2 or at the very least in my Yellowgod tier if it wasn't for "Dear Bobbie") Lights And Sounds Yellowcard Ocean Avenue (some of their absolute best songs mixed with a handful of them I don't like that much) One For The Kids
I go back and forth on the top 2, but today: Southern Air Lift a Sail Ocean Avenue Yellowcard When You're Through Thinking... Paper Walls Lights & Sounds One for the Kids
Paper Walls Southern Air Lift a Sail When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes Lights and Sounds Ocean Avenue Yellowcard One For The Kids
The amount of people ranking Ocean Avenue outside of the top 3... who hurt you? Are you trying to be "cool"? Did you just overplay it? I want to try to understand why you insist on being objectively wrong.
I like certain songs from it a lot, but there are other albums from the band that I like more as a whole.