Album: “Welcome the Night”

Description

The Ataris: Kristopher Roe (vocals, guitar, percussion, Theremin); Paul Carabello (vocals, guitar, percussion); Bob Hoag (vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Mellotron, keyboards, percussion); Sean Hansen (vocals, bass instrument, drums, percussion); John Collura (guitar, piano); Angus Cooke (cello, electric cello, percussion); Shane Chickeles (drums, percussion). <p>After issuing SO LONG, ASTORIA, the Ataris' 2003 major label debut on Columbia, the band toured extensively, worked on new material, left Columbia, and started their own label. That label's first release (in conjunction with Sanctuary) is 2007's WELCOME THE NIGHT. Unlike the band's earlier pop-punk blasts, WELCOME THE NIGHT is steeped in atmospheric guitar washes and post-punk textures. <p>Lead singer and songwriter Kris Roe is still the focus of the band, but his melodies, lyrics, and arrangements have taken on a moody cast, and the change is a welcome one. The Ataris have clearly been mixing some Joy Division in with their Blink 182 CDs. But Roe hasn't lost his knack for insistent hooks and anthemic choruses (note "The Cheyenne Line"), so longtime fans will still have plenty to appreciate.