"Welcome The Night" Review (4/5)
It’s been a long road for Kris Roe and The Ataris. Their new album, “Welcome The Night” is living proof of one man’s struggle for survival. Since their breakthrough disc, “So Long, Astoria” in 2003, the band has underwent many member changes including a new direction of music. Produced by Nick Launay (Girls Against Boys, INXS), “Welcome The Night” was very different from their last record. The new albums sound was so unfamiliar; The Ataris purposely wrote a few mainstream-friendly songs so not to alienate their pop fan-base. This new album gives a low-cut indie vibe similar to My Bloody Valentine while giving listeners strands of what was once an up-tempo rock band. The change is not as bad as it sounds. The music is so emotionally charged, you’ll forget there was such a thing as, “San Dimas High School Football Rules.”
On this album, you can definitely tell which songs were made solely for the radio. Tracks such as, “Not Capable of Love” are the upbeat, feet tapping Ataris song which almost sounds like a “So Long, Astoria” b-side. Thankfully this album isn’t as rehashed as that song. Most of the tracks off this new album give off an earthly feel. The elongated melodies on some tracks seem like the songs are trying to escape some sort of metaphorical weight. “Secret Handshakes” play on similar guitar melodies done by Circa Survive and As Cities Burn while the vocals give a Jets To Brazil vibe. Expect a break between fans who like this album and fans that don’t.
“Welcome The Night” was even threatened by Columbia Records. Their label at the time was afraid of the direction The Ataris had taken and in a last resort of control, the label continued to delay the album for two years. The band decided to sever ties with the major label and created a new home, Isola Recordings under Sanctuary Records. From there the album finally came to a set release date of February 20th. Kris Roe wrote basically all the lyrics to this new album. Drawing ideas from a reoccurring dream he once had. In the song “Far From the Last, Last Call,” the story of Roe’s overdose on PCP unfolds and how he comes to terms with himself. Songs such as “When All Else Fails It Fails” and “Act V, Scene IV: And So It Ends Like It Begins” touch on his love life and experiences he’s faced. He’s even drawn concept from the classic play Romeo & Juliet in the last track.
“Welcome The Night” is attractive in the sense that the music is diverse to an extent. Not diverse in a crazy tribal sort of way, but in an early tape demo way. The mellow tone of these songs calls for a deeper listen, but you’re able to scratch the surface and still have a good time. With the rumor of this album being the last Ataris record, it’s acceptable that they might end this their own way. Hopefully the five un-mastered tracks which were removed from the album find its way to CD Singles since they are enjoyable to listen to as well. The Ataris may have created a more ambiguous sound than more of their recent fans are used to, but with age comes maturity. “Welcome The Night” is defiantly a mature record.
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