PUC Chronicle

Issue date: 2/26/07 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: myspace.com/ataris Unlike their previous albums, The Ataris sixth "Welcome the Night" projects more emo beats rather punk/pop they're known to perform.

"Welcome to the Night," is unlike anything the Ataris have released to date. This, their sixth studio album, takes the band even further down the road of discovering who they are as musicians.

Before the release of their last album, 2003's "So Long, Astoria," the Ataris were a pop- punk band with little to no radio play. "So Long, Astoria" saw the band lose some of their punk edge and the song "In this Diary" hit the radio. After "Astoria" (which hit number 20 on the billboard charts), there was speculation that the band was over.

Now, they have released another stellar, albeit different, album. "Welcome" has a definite emo edge. It's the perfect disc for a long drive to clear your head but not necessarily one to lift your spirits.

The stand out song on "Welcome" - "Not Capable of Love," kicks off the CD with a bang. The song shows the Ataris still have the song writing that makes them stand out among similar bands.

"The Cheyenne Line" isn't necessarily a bad song, but it doesn't keep the listener particularly engaged, either. It's the low point of the album but it's still a pretty high low point.

If you're looking for a continuation of "Astoria," this isn't the place to find it. Frontman Kristopher Roe recently ended a six-year relationship, according to the bands official site. It's easy to assume that Denise, who is mentioned lovingly on "Astoria," is no more. The love is gone and so are the messages to her. This is a more melancholy album, devoid of some of the hope found on "Astoria."

In "Welcome," the Ataris took a risk. While it may upset some diehard fans, this is still a strong album that is listenable and relatable. The risk should pay off in the end.

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