Yellowcard

One big blur . . . That pretty much sums up the five years and three albums that separated Yellowcard's major-label debut — the double-platinum-certified Ocean Avenue — and the band's "indefinite hiatus" decision in 2008. No wonder why our Basics are swarming with hit singles and oft-overlooked highlights, including the heavenly harmonies and lock-step guitar/drum combos of "Ocean Avenue," "Only One," and "Rough Landing, Holly"; the weeping riffs and lingering Dashboard Confessional vibe of "Empty Apartment"; and the rubber-burning stop/start rhythms of "The Takedown."

Aside from all of the above, Yellowcard also had a hardcore period in the late '90s — a fast-and-furious side that's skimmed in our Next Steps.

Let's get technical for a second: Yellowcard didn't appear out of nowhere with Ocean Avenue, their violin-spiked take on the sleek, speaker-slamming world of pop-punk. Believe it or not, the band's been around since 1997, which explains why they've had so many creative and personnel changes in the decade since. Unwilling to simply follow the proven formulas of Green Day, blink-182, and pop-punk's original gangstas, the Ramones, Yellowcard started as a whip-smart hardcore act — Where We Stand — but quickly moved into everything from heart-tugging emo ("Cigarette," "Keeper," "City of Devils") to high-powered anthems for the Warped Tour set ("Way Away," "Inside Out," "Lights and Sound"). Overwhelming? You bet — that's why we've pulled only the best tracks from their six full-lengths — all killer, no filler, kids.