Album Review
The ataris - Welcome The NightThe Ataris - Welcome the Night

It’s been 3-4 years since the last Ataris album 'So Long Astoria' and a lot of things have changed for the band. First of all Mike Davenport and Chris Knapp are no longer in the band and the band are no longer a four piece. The Ataris line up now consists of original members Kris Roe and John Collura and new members Paul Carabello, Sean Hansen, Shane Chikeles, Angus Cooke and Bob Hoag making the band a seven piece. The Ataris have also parted ways with Columbia records and decided to go it alone with the creation of their own record label Isola Recordings which they are releasing their new album 'Welcome the Night' on.

I have always liked The Ataris music and To be honest when I got 'Welcome The Night' I wasn’t expecting anything special, in fact I was expecting the album to be rubbish due to all the changes the band have been through over the past couple of years but I have been proven wrong as it’s not a bad album at all.

The first thing you notice from the album is how the band have lost the catchy pop/punk sound that they have always been loved for and moved onto a more indie rock sound which is bound to lose the band some fans but gain some new ones at the same time.

'Not Capable Of Love' opens up the album perfectly and has a pretty serious sound about it with the way it’s a pure rock song and the way Kris Roe's vocals sound more mature than ever before. 'Cardiff by the Sea' seems like a lengthy song mainly due to the fact that it’s so mellow and such a change in sound from what The Ataris used to do. 'New Years Day' is my favourite track on the album and is such a catchy song leaving you singing along. Another great song is 'Connections Are More Dangerous Than Lies' which has a really big sing a long chorus, 'The Cheyenne Line' is another great song with a real catchy chorus.

'Welcome to The Night' has a fair few great songs but it is equally balanced out with the same amount of pretty average sounding songs.

Overall considering all the changes, 'Welcome to The Night' is a pretty decent album and The hardcore Ataris fans will enjoy the album but be slightly disappointed at the same time and the fans who loved the band for their pop/punk sound won’t even give the album a chance. It also makes you think how this album would be if the band had their original line up and stuck to the sound they have been known for and loved for in the past eight years.

4 /5

Review by Trigger
 Band Members
The Ataris - Band
Kristopher Roe (vocals, guitar)
John Collura (guitar, Pianos)
Paul Carabello (guitar, backing vocals, percussion)
Eric Doucette (bass)
Shane Chickeles (drums)
Angus Cooke (cello)
Bob Hoag (piano, keys, Fender Rhodes, Mellotron, percussion)
 Track Listing
1. Not Capable Of Love
2. Cardiff By The Sea
3. New Year's Day
4. Secret Handshakes
5. Cheyenne Line
6. And We All Become Like Smoke
7. Connections Are More Dangerous Than Lies
8. Whatever Lies Will Help You Rest
9. Far From The Last Last Call
10. When All Else Fails It Fails
11. Soundtrack For This Rainy Morning
12. Begin Again From The Beginning
13. Act V Scene IV And So It Begins
 Band Related Links
The Ataris Myspace
The Ataris Official Website
 Review Score Code
- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
- What Was That?