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The Ataris - So Long Astoria

For die hard Ataris fans So Long Astoria will be a let down. They’ve changed their unique pop-punk sound and really mellowed out. Right from the title track “So Long, Astoria” the change is evident. Singer Chris Roe’s vocals start off soft and quiet. They pick up further along in the song, yet something is different.

The album itself feels a bit more mature. More serious. The topical content of songs such as “Takeoffs and Landings,” “In This Diary” and “Summer ‘79” all suggest moving on, growing up and reflecting on the past.

The Ataris sing about childhood and family in “The Saddest Song,” while dealing with sickness and death in “”My Reply” and “The Hero Dies in This One.”

Musically there are seemingly three chord punk influences, but delivered in a less moshable fashion. So Long Astoria has an emo feeling without gut-wrenching screams. Strong upbeat drums uphold the Ataris old sound throughout most of the album, but the vocals counteract much of what they’ve done in the past. Rarely are cover songs better than the original, but the Ataris rule on their version of “The Boys of Summer.”

One defining stronghold So Long Astoria has is depth. Every song has a specific heartfelt meaning. Meanings which sound sad and melancholy. Rather than sunny day pop-punk, So Long Astoria feels like a misty fall afternoon. I give So Long Astoria a 6 (out of 10). It’s a shame the Ataris have toned down their energy. That energy was what first got me interested with the Ataris.

Adam K. Zakroczymski III – Senior Editor / CEO

March 8, 2003