This is a change in sound for the ataris. No longer are they the simple punk rock band who writes just about girls. This album shows progression for the band as they play at some slower tempos and show mature lyrics. This album is good to listen during dull cloudy days as it matches the mood.
This review is upon hearing the album for the 2nd time and is totally unbiased.
So Long Astoria(3/5)-Title track. Cool opening power chord thing. Very average song but very well written lyrics about past memories make it a song with replayability. Ending is also very good.
Takeoffs and Landings(2.5/5)- Again, average song but well written lyrics. An airplane/travel theme. Long chorus is repeated once too much and can old.
In This Diary(4.5/5)-The one everybody knows. Very catchy guitar and upbeat drums. Excellent song about appreciating youth while you’re young. Cool breakdown in the middle.
My Reply(2/5)-Below average song but excellent vocals that are touching about a girl who’s very sick and has written a letter to the band. Could have been written better with more parts cuz the lead guitar gets boring.
Unopened Letter To The World(4/5)-Well written song. Upon hearing I said wow I wish I could write lyrics like that. Lead guitar part sounds a lot like title track but sadder.
Saddest Song(2.5/5)-Opens with like an organ or similar instrument. Very quiet, un-ataris like song about the singers kid and regretting hes not there a lot. Chorus is simple but works well, but shouldn’t be repeated as much cuz it gets old.
Summer 79(3.5/5)- A summer feel with good lyrics about hanging with friends one last time be4 school. Upbeat and catchy. Only bad part is bridge cuz it kills the energy.
The Hero Dies In This One(4.5/5) Excellent song that doesn’t get the credit it deserves. About a loved one who moves away. Awesome mix of ideas and tangible scenes this is the best lyrics on the album. Highlight is the hard hitting bridge.
All You Can Ever Learn Is What You Already Know(2/5)- Sounds exactly like second track between guitar and drums. Lyrics don’t make a lot of sense. They experiment with some screaming at the end which doesn’t work well.
Boys of Summer(4.5/5)-The other one everybody knows. Good writing as they capture the essence of the original by Don Henley but still make it their own. Awesome drum breakdown in the bridge.
Radio#2(3/5)-Decent song about music today and why it sucks. Cool synth/keyboard sounds. A song I wish would take root but doesn’t as its message is very true.
Looking Back On Today(4/5)-Sounds like stuff off of End Is Forever. Song that could go on any guys mixtape to a girl(do ppl even make those anymore). Not much variety but excellent lyrics that they manage to not make it sound like a whiny emo song.
Eight of Nine(5/5)-The best song on the cd hands down. The problem with sounding the same and repeating is gone as not one line is repeated. An awesomely written song about self discovery and some awesome metaphors. An excellent closer.
Bonus tracks
I Wont Spend Another Night Alone-(3/5)-Not as good as original version. I like how the drum fills were miked loud in the original and how there was no chorus after the second verse. Still good but not as good.
Saddest Song-acoustic(1/5)-Full song isn’t great this is horrible. The lyrics are sung dull and there is no energy whatsoever. It feels like theyre saying lets just get the album over with.
Album has its good points but does not compare to their earlier work.
