Review Summary: What happened to those dreams we had when we were young?
To say The Ataris’ career has been bumpy would be an understatement. Whether it’s the constant line-up changes or the band’s change in sound on their last two albums, the band’s hard work just never seems to pay off. However, if the band’s last digital EP is a sign of things to come then The Ataris may be brewing up something special for their next full length album. Although it’s already been over two years since these songs were released, they are a beacon of home for anybody who has ever called themselves a fan of The Ataris.
The first track ‘All Soul’s Day’ is one of the most impressive songs Kris Roe has written in years. Like many Ataris’ songs it manages to be highly upbeat in spite of its painfully honest lyrics. At its core, the song is about a broken marriage and you can hear the emotion in his voice as he shouts
I Wish I could turn around, erase our lives take back those vows. I guess it’s not that easy now. I’d tear that ***ing chapel to the ground. These dark lyrics are immediately followed by a surprisingly upbeat chorus making it an honest and addicting song. Instrumentally the song is nothing out of the ordinary, but it’s undeniably catchy and Roe’s strong vocal performance brings it to life.
The Next track on the EP is ‘The Graveyard of the Atlantic’ which is also tentatively the name of their next album. It’s not nearly as immediate as ‘All Souls Day’ as it’s slower paced, but the lyrics are another home run. The song is about reflecting on life and your dreams and essentially following those dreams at any cost. It’s an encouraging ballad that’s likely to connect with anybody who has ever had doubts about their life.
Tonight, the echoes of our lives are calling out don’t surrender, don’t surrender
For those who haven’t heard The Ataris’ or even those who have been wondering what happened to them, this EP does a great job of displaying Kris Roe’s talent as a musician. He’s been the one constant force throughout the band’s existence and his vocals in these songs are filled with a level of aggression and confidence that’s been missing from the band for years. Roe also proves he can still write deep and meaningful lyrics. The song structures themselves might be simple, but they’re full of emotion and honesty making them a great addition to the band’s catalogue as well as an exciting preview of what’s to come for The Ataris.
