The Ataris, "Welcome The Night" (5/5)

After four years, The Ataris have finally returned with their fifth full-length album, titled “Welcome The Night.” This is not the same Ataris that originally attracted fans - with seven people now in the band, their musical style has greatly changed.

The CD starts with the first single from the record, “Not Capable Of Love", which sets the mood for the rest of the record. The music on this album sounds much heavier and nothing like the four chord pop-punk we’ve come to expect from the band. In this song, Kris Roe - almost at a yell - passionately sings, “I’m not capable of love / that kind of love I felt when I was 21.” It is obvious in the lyrics of this song, as well as others, that Roe has greatly matured as a person and songwriter since the last record. These songs display a darker side than we’ve ever seen from The Ataris. Another example of this would be in one of the strongest songs on the CD, “Whatever Lies Will Help You Rest”, where Roe sings, “Whatever lies will help you rest / whenever things are at their best / why do we wait for them to fall apart?”

This CD is a complete departure from what fans of The Ataris have come to know, but with this release the band has created their own personal masterpiece. This album will easily overshadow “So Long, Astoria” and its pop-covers. If you're sick of the mainstream radio rock that you've been fed for years, you need to buy this CD right now.

Favorite Track: When All Else Fails It Fails



Reviewed By: Chris H.