The Ataris
Blue Skies, Broken Hearts, Next Twelve Exits

Release Date: 1999 | Tracklist

<p>Blue Skies, Broken Hearts was released in 1999 when the genre of powerpop was the most popular thing.&nbsp; Bands like Matchbox 20, Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, and Vertical Horizon ruled the radio.&nbsp; These were good times musically.&nbsp; This CD was different from most stuff people listened to.&nbsp; There were still the punk bands around like nofx and pennywise but they did not have very much airtime if any at all.&nbsp; The Ataris came on to the scene and released an album that combined elements of punk, rock, and catchy lyrics almost everyone could relate to.&nbsp; If you judge it by today&rsquo;s music, there are a lot of bands that sound similar.&nbsp; But six years ago, it was unlike most albums.&nbsp; Most of the punk music was about politics and why shouldn&rsquo;t it have been especially cause it was the same time Clinton was around.&nbsp; This was one of the first albums to bridge punk rock genre with catchy vocals and melodies that could get on the mainstream without the band selling out.&nbsp; None of the singles did get on mainstream radio but some did end up on some alternative stations and the wonderful invention known as college radio.</p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p> <p>Losing Streak(3/5)-Fast powerchords at the beginning then brings in what most of the album sounds like.&nbsp; Fast music, catchy and fast vocals, and well done breaks and instrument flow.&nbsp; Good opening track as it is fast and energetic but nothing about it really stands out.</p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p> <p>1-15-96(4/5)-Cool opening riff almost has a surfer feel.&nbsp; Again, catchy melodies in the verses and choruses.&nbsp; Highlight of the song is the instrumental bridge.&nbsp; A couple of riffs and then the intro is played palm muted.&nbsp; Slowly speeds up back into the chorus.&nbsp; Good summer sounding song, shouldve been a single but wasn&rsquo;t.</p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p> <p>San Dimas High School Football Rules(5/5)-The first single and rightfully so.&nbsp; Hands down best song on the album.&nbsp; The guitars work well together and there is enough different parts to the song that it takes awhile to become boring.&nbsp; Unusual structure as there is no true chorus and after the second verse there is a long musical outro which ends with the opening riff.&nbsp; High energy, catchy, good instrumentation.</p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p> <p>Your Boyfriend Sucks(3/5)- Song kind of sounds the same as San Dimas but there is a cool ending to the song.&nbsp; There is a soundclip from some movie playing with the instruments and some cool drum fills.&nbsp; Decent song but sounds to similar to San Dimas.</p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p> <p>I Wont Spend Another Night Alone(3.5/5)-Cool little drum intro.&nbsp; Moves into more of a melodic punk song.&nbsp; I like the way they turn up the volume on the drums during the big fills.&nbsp; Chorus can maybe get a little repetitive but still a good song.</p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p> <p>Broken Promise Ring(4/5)-Good song to have after a slower, melodic song.&nbsp; Full force power chords and fast drumming make it musically sound like a NoFX song.&nbsp; I think most people can relate to the lyrics as they are heartfelt but aren&rsquo;t the whiny emo stuff.&nbsp; Utilizes some catchy guitar riffs with a good musical outro.&nbsp; </p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p> <p>Angry Nerd Rock(4/5)-One of the few bands to remake their own songs and put it on a different cd. They did this with I Wont Spend Another Night Alone as it appeared on So Long Astoria.&nbsp; They speeded it up and added some better guitar licks.&nbsp; The vocals are also improved.&nbsp; The words make the song what it is, otherwise it would be a below average song.&nbsp; Some good basswork in the verses.</p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p> <p>The Last Song I Will Ever Write About A Girl(3.5/5)-Easily one of the catchiest guitar riffs on the cd.&nbsp; Some good lyrics especially in the chorus.&nbsp; This is the song to listen to after a breakup as it says &ldquo;Girls are ***ing evil.&rdquo;&nbsp; Weird outro as the guitar plays random scratches, kind of like how AC/DC ended their songs in concert.&nbsp; Drums have good punch and bass matches the guitar well without playing the exact same thing.</p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p> <p>Choices(4.5/5)-A happier sounding song about the, well, choices that people make and how they might affect somebody besides yourself.&nbsp; Super quick song but still a highlight on the album.&nbsp; Verses are full of energy and the breaks show how dialed the band is together.</p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p> <p>Better Way(4.25/5)-Sounds much different than the rest of the album.&nbsp; Starts with just lyrics and guitar than all the instruments join.&nbsp; Bridge features some nice guitar work.&nbsp; Unusual structure, and ends on melodic note.&nbsp; </p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p> <p>My Hotel Year(1.5/5)-I think this is a remake of one of their earlier songs.&nbsp; Whole song is acoustic.&nbsp; A pretty bad song as the guitar sounds boring and their lyrics sound like their strained.</p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p> <p>Life Makes No Sense(3/5)-Back to the punk rock sound.&nbsp; Another shorter song but it is still a decent one.&nbsp; Not much to say about this one, as there is nothing special.</p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p> <p>Answers(3.5/5)-Really cool instrument opening that digs up some funk roots.&nbsp; Very good singing on this one.&nbsp; Verses sound similar to guitar work on rest of album but choruses make up for it with energy and catchiness.&nbsp; Outro is kind of stupid, but sort of fits the song.</p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p> <p>In Spite Of The World(4/5)-Bass intro simple enough.&nbsp; This is one of the songs that has that musical &ldquo;it&rdquo; factor. Its written at the perfect speed for the lyrics.&nbsp; The longest song on the album as there is a long musical outro which is a fitting way to end the cd.&nbsp; Very goodd ending.&nbsp; Only thing that keeps it a 4 is that the lyrics are a little clich&eacute;d.</p> <p><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->&nbsp;<!--[endif]--></p>

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3.6 great

Rank: #97 for 1999