We take a trip back to the summer of 2003 this #MusicMonday with So Long, Astoria. 

Album: So Long Astoria by The Ataris (2003)

If you like: Rufio, Thrice, Fenix TX, New Found Glory

The Ataris left Kung Fu Records to sign with major record label Columbia. Coming  off successful Vans Warped Tour appearances, The Ataris returned to the studio for their largest effort to date. They released this follow-up to End Is Forever in May 2003.

So Long, Astoria does not carry the high-energy, four chord formula 0f previous albums. Instead, singer/songrwriter Kris Roe slows the tempo just a bit to combine the vivid story telling of Ataris songs with more complex melody.

The opening track So Long, Astoria (loosely based on the The Goonies) sets the tone for traveling in a new direction while maintaining signature Ataris pace. Songs like In This Diary and Summer ’79 live in times that are carefree while The Saddest Song and Eight of Nine focus on a future that might never be.

My favorite song on the album Looking Back on Today was an acoustic demo and crowd favorite for two years before being redone with a full band. Boys of Summer, the Don Henley classic, is also tastefully redone with a faster pace.

This album brings me back to the days when all I did was go to shows. So Long, Astoria is a great choice if you want an album that delivers great story telling while you rock out.