The Ataris – So Long, Astoria

So Long, Youth. Hello, Adulthood

Just like a good Atari game this album takes a little bit to get going, but despite a beginning rather unchanging in style and speed The Ataris’ So Long, Astoria picks up quickly into a poppy and fun cluster of songs. From a very personal track about hope to tunes of friendship, heartbreak, and growing up, Astoria climaxes with a fantastic cover of “The Boys of Summer” – possibly the best and most energetic song of the album. After 13 tracks it tops out with a remake of one of their popular songs, and then winds up with a final slow tune.The band’s strongest asset remains in their poetic, reminiscent lyrics that front man Kris Roe sings strong. Although describing this album as their ‘most provocative and emotionally powerful’, the raw sound of the Indiana garage-band from years past is sorely missed, and Astoria doesn’t feel as compelling as their previous releases which were striking, original, and displayed raw emotion. Even the remake of “I Won’t Spend Another Night Alone” doesn’t have the same fire as its original release. One track of exception however is “My Reply” – Roe’s response to a cancer patient’s letter, in which he makes clear that simple words cannot express enough the plea of ‘hang in there’. With these minor setbacks Astoria is by no means a bad album, and is best played loud, with friends you’ve known since Pac-Man.