The Ataris - So Long, Astoria
It's albums like The Ataris' new release, So Long, Astoria, that reviewers like me dread writing reviews for. The new album could easily marginalize the band by saying they are a Jimmy Eat World meets Good Charlotte (think The Anthem) rip off; and while some songs might lead one to that knee-jerk reaction, others certainly do not.
I'm convinced that So Long, Astoria could easily be divided into two completely different CDs. The first CD (the one I wouldn't buy) would be chalk-full of generic party background music. Listening to this mock CD you could easily paint the scene based upon the parties that you wish you would have avoided in High School - a parentless home, beer bongs, and misunderstood emo kids... all listening to 'THE NEW ATARIS ALBUM!!!' The CD would be bursting with a safe formula of palm muting, love songs, hook-laden vocals, and (of course) heavy pop/pop-punk influence. Here are a couple of songs that would be sure-fire choices for this nightmare pubescent production: In This Diary, Summer of '79, Radio #2 (is that Mike Herrera singing backup?), and Unopened Letter.
The second CD would move away from some of the more stereo-typical pop-emo songs; into a realm that's a little less safe than The Ataris' first CD; there wouldn't be nearly as much conventional emo/pop-punk as the first CD contained. Songs like My Reply would be sure to make it (a selfless cry to a friend, asking them to reconsider their choices is a real mood killer at a pool party) simply because there is some depth. No, you wouldn't see any songs on this disc that would be a shoe in for the next MTV Party to Go! album. Here are some are some other suggestions for the second CD: Saddest Song, My Reply, The Hero Dies In This One, Boys of Summer.
Saddest Song and Unopened Letter have to be key examples of the dichotomy that The Ataris seem to be struggling with. Saddest Song is packed with power and emotion; but the subject is about a great dilemma (one that would be an easy decision for most people) that he’s struggling to deal with. The premise of the song is that he has a young son that he's not going to see very much of because he’s out 'living the rock and roll lifestyle,' constantly on the road - away from those he loves. The moral issue at hand is the fact that he is asking forgiveness for his actions in the future (he's not going to be around very much and he wants forgiveness because he too knows what it’s like living without a father). The very next song, Unopened Letter, deals with the importance of his music and how much it really matters in the long run (will he be forgotten, blah, blah blah). There is an ironic comparison that could be drawn between these two songs and the music of The Ataris. The irony lies in the fact that some of the music is purely pop-punk-radio-friendly-garbage, but there are other songs that make you stop and see the potential of making important music that deals with a multitude of issues. So, should The Ataris go on making ill-advised disposable songs, or should they abandon the trivial music and make a slightly less popular brand of music with a longer lifespan?
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jeff Petermann
Hey, great job on this one. You nailed it right between the eyes.
2 - The Theory
a nail... between the eyes...
ow.
But yeah, good review.
peace.
3 - markbrandt
Very well written review. A good read for all.
4 - hdmp
ummm, good review but you might want to do a slight bit of fact checking before bashing a band.
1) Kris (the ataris' lyricist) doesn't have a son
2) you might want to read a little bit deeper into the meaning of "unopened letter to the world", because you seemed to have blatantly missed it.
3) my reply is about a letter that the ataris received from a fan in a hospital who was dying at the time. not "a selfless cry to a friend, asking them to reconsider their choices" as you said
and finally, you say that the ataris should have written this album "with a better audience than the ‘flavor of the day’ that many of their current fans desire." great idea, lets write an album that won't appeal to our fans! the ataris are an incredible example of a fan dedicated band. they let kids play guitar with them at shows, they keep merch cheap, they reply to every letter that they receieve. of course they're going to write an album that their fans are going to like. instead of trying to act like you're better than the ‘Coors Lite party songs’ that are found on this album, why not try embrace the feeling of youth that these songs help to give the album.
PS. from the tone of your review, i'm gonna make a guess that you were picked on a lot in high school, never got laid and are bitter about the past becuase of it.
5 - Brandy
Gee great interview but next time you decide to review a band maybe you should go and do a few back ground checks since you obviously know NOTHING about the Ataris, ie, Saddest Song is about Kris Roe's Daughter since he has no son... and My Reply, as Kris Roe says at every live show they play it at,is about a fan that they recieved letters from that was in hospital dying.
And i can ensure you that most 'weeping emo kids' would know what the ataris did not write 'boys of summer'.
"I personally think that they could produce a much deeper, reflective CD" the c.d is very deep with meaning to all songs, but since you have no idea about the band, i dont expect you to know this. get a real job that you can actually do.
6 - Renne
Your review sucks, if your going to put up facts at least get them right.
7 - ninety_five_cents
Have you listened to any of The Ataris previous albums? I doubt you are actually a person who seriously listens to any punk rock. Because if you are you wouldn't be passing such ignorant judgements on them.
LONG LIVE ALL CURRENT AND PREVIOUS MEMBERS OF THE ATARIS!!! THERES BEEN A FEW OF THEM NOW!!
8 - power_chord_tragedy
one of the finer points to journalism is research.
if you were as smart as you are arrogant and ignorant, you'd be a genius.
9 - Laura
Your review sucks!!!
10 - Nolan
YOU DON'T KNOW SHIT ABOUT THE ATARIS OR HOW FAR THEY'VE COME. WHAT'S WORSE IS YOU COMPARED THEM TO GOOD FUCKING CHARLOTTE
11 - Eric Olsen
Thanks for your factual corrections - I am guessing by the volume and tone of the last several comments that this review was picked up by an Ataris' site, for which I'm grateful. Just remember, not everyone is as deeply into the group as you are.
12 - angrynerdpunkrock
I found it pretty humorous that you compared The Ataris to Good Charlotte, and yet the Atars have been around for longer than Good Charlotte. Also, you obviously failed to listen to the lyrics in the songs. These songs are not about partying ala Good Charlotte, these songs bring back memories of growing up, and have a deeper meaning that you obviously completely missed.
13 - jackie
I think you're an idiot.
14 - JE
you fuck ass. youre the reason this world sucks. youre a stupid, ignorant person who's only idea of pop-punk goes into the vast fields of good charlotte, sum 41, and new found glory. too bad the ataris dont sound like them. and about the songs, all of them are extremely deep (except for maybe radio #2, which is still a damn good song. AND YEA, its IS mike herrera singing back up...got a problem?). i also happened to find it funny that you called the fans of the ataris "weeping emo kids" AFTER comparing them to the likes of the popular pop-punk bands of right now. good call you fucking idiot. eat shit and choke on it.
15 - Eric Olsen
Let's not get out of control and lose our perspective, children. Thanks.
16 - Dawn
Hello. This could very well be the worst review ever. You obviously don't know much about The Ataris. Oh, and Kris doesn't have a song. Haha.
17 - Branden
i dont like what you said. but i defend your right to say what you like. however...i know you cant do research on all the bands you review...but you should have wit hteh ataris. when they first came out they were pretty much a wannabe greenday but not as fast and heavy.theyve matured on every cd and their newest is by far their best. i love emo and i love classic rock...i knew the song boys of summer was by don henley before i even knew who the ataris were. i was raised on the beatles,led zep.,janis joplin,the eagles etc. and ive grown to like the ataris and many other pop punk/ emo bands. dont under estimate kids just because they listen to modern music. unopend letter to the world was kris take on a emily dickinson poem. anyone eho knows about dickenson knows that she didnt become fully apreciated until after her death...and this song is just about kris wondering if he would suffer that fait. again...maybe you should research a little more before you make a review.
and as for the people who are calling this guy an idiot...lighten the fuck up and come to the conclusion that not everyone is gonna like the bands that you like. and just because they dont like them doesnt mean theyre idiots.
but then
18 - Branden
but the again...thats not the punk rock thing to do.
i forgot to add that hah
19 - joe
the ataris emo? since when did they become a hardcore band? aside from reseaching facts correctly, you also shouldnt use words when you dont know what they mean
20 - pat
god you people are fucking stupid. his opinion shouldent affect you so much. he was right on about some of the songs being shiity party music, and the majority of the newer fans are just the fucking 'flavor of the day' kids that he was talking about. punk rock? fuck punk rock. anywhere but here was as close as the ataris got to 'punk rock'. will you just shut the fuck up now?
21 - Solamente Frost
I stand by my review.
We were sent a promo copy of the CD. No lyrics, no bio. Talk to their management/publicist if you think more info should be provided. I'm not going to search their web site and zine sites for hours looking for personal info; 90% of which wouldn't be important to the review.
I think it's really funny that I at least said they had potental but people go ape shit over some criticisms. Get over yourself. The Ataris are decent. What they do, they do well; but I think they could do better.
Oh, they aren't punk rock. They are pop-punk. Big difference.
22 - Josh Morgan
Plus reviews are mere opinons. Write your own review and show people whats good about it. People have differnt perceptions. I dont think Jeff thinks his review is perfect.. and i'm sure he understands that someone else can think its the most wonderful music in the world.. right jeff ;)
23 - Josh morgan
Or Mike.. that's what i meant. haha.
24 - Solamente Frost
Oh, I wasn't picked on in High School.
25 - Jeff PEtermann
Josh,
that's OK Josh, I wish I would have written this review. I love controversy. And, by the way, everyone of you people who wrote negative things about Mike's review. Cussing does not make you smarter, or more respected. it makes you look like you have a very loose grasp on the English language. Why not, instead of coming on blogcritics and bashing peoples reviews, buy a dictionary and learn a few more words. Then we will all salute you--or at least not laugh at your stupidity.