#kris roe

Item: #590 (T-shirt)

Colore: Nero

Brand: Gildan

Anno: 2019

Città: Bologna (Italia)

The Ataris - So Long, Astoria /? Coke Bottle Clear Kung Fu Records / Columbia Records

The Ataris live at The Earl.

The Ataris / All Souls Day / Silver Turns to Rust

Battle 8

Moon Martin: Mystery Ticket (side 1)

Vs.

The Ataris : End is Forever (side A1)

Moon Martin: Mystery Ticket (side 1)

Born in Altus, Oklahoma in 1950, Martin gained recognition in the 1970s as a pop artist and composer. He was given the nickname "Moon" because many of his songs had the word "moon" in the lyrics. Originally a rockabilly artist, he wrote a few songs you may know, "Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)", made famous by the English singer Robert Palmer, and "Cadillac Walk", made famous by the American singer Willy DeVille. Martin scored two minor hits on his own with "Rolene" and "No Chance", both in 1979. His 1982 song, "X-Ray Vision" (featured on this album-and a large part of why I bothered to pick this LP up) was an MTV hit music video. In fact, it’s side one, song one. Also, it was only 50 cents, so that didn’t hurt too. As one might expect in 1982, it’s pretty cheesy keyboard heavy. Classic wave and nice full chords. In fact it rather sounds a bit like the aforementioned “Bad Case...”. And strangely Moon’s voice sounds a lot Like Palmer. Interesting. THEY ARE THE SAME PERSON. No. Just kidding. But wouldn’t that be great?! Like a Garth Brooks/Chris Gaines thing! Well in either scenario, it seems as though Moon is an x-ray visionary! (#seewhatididthere) This tune is quite catchy. “Witness” is the next track. Still very large keyboard influence but a much more soulful tune this go around. “She’s in love with my Car” is next, and honestly the final trigger as to my impending purchase of this record. Who wouldn’t love a song title like that?? Billy leans with a rock-a-wave feeling. Additionally blues bar riffs are present. I must admit, I love the car too as it sounds pretty awesome based on the description given in the song. “Paid the Price” is the almost slower, country fried square dancer. This seems more like the moon tune one would expect. “Firing Line” is the final attempt and it’s back to the rockin’ basics. Fake claps and everything! Eat your heart out, you Irene Carrera maniacs! Even Robert Palmer is jealous. This might be my favorite with those tasty hooks! See? This is why I do this whole gamble thing. It’s fun to take the risk and for a few measly quarters, no harm, no foul. Nerdy looking Rivers Cuomo looking dude delivers! It does give the feeling that the first two cuts are label driven in order to keep the sales comin’. The latter half seems more natural and structurally sound. Organic and the “full moon” if you will.

The Ataris : End is Forever (side A1)

The Ataris are an American punk rock band from Anderson, Indiana. Formed in 1996, they have released five studio albums, with So Long, Astoria certified gold. In 2009, an album was announced to be entitled The Graveyard of the Atlantic although the album's status has been on indefinite ambiguity, with just two EPs released in 2010 and 2012 both with the same titles as the awaited album. They are best known for their hit cover song, originally recorded by Don Henley, "The Boys of Summer". For me personally this band has a very different story. I met Kris long ago when still in Indiana and before all of the success happened. Back when he was still writing with a drum machine and searching for a drummer. He was playing a show at The Sitcom (a former and long gone Indianapolis venue). We talked a bit and mentioned the possibility of him joining up with my band on guitar. Keeping in touch occasionally, the cards were already played for Kris, as soon after, Kung Fu Records came calling and the rest is history. I am sure it was a tough decision to make, having to risk it all and leave family behind, so for that I am very respectful. Obviously it turned out well for him and the eventual band that would form. By the time THIS album came about though, the line up had already changed and mutated. Kris still at the helm of course, as he alone is and always will be The Ataris. The band eventually went on to major label status for a time, so I suppose to some degree I like to think about what could have been. The reality is that there would never have been any of that. Kris writes catchy tunes and he was destined for this. For the level the band achieved and rapidly, it is deserved. I spent a lot of my mid 20’s and 30’s sort of dismissing their success, and partially it was out of spite I guess. In fact, I only own this on vinyl because the local Hot Topic (remember them?) was blowing out all their vinyl for dirt cheap. I didn’t even know that this was on color swirl vinyl until I just now (5 years later) opened it for the first time. I’m going off topic though. The songs ARE good, but they also ARE predictable. Every one of them. I’ll give credit where it’s due, though. I think Kris wanted to make a record that would hold up over time and End is Forever certainly does that. The one thing Roe shines on is writing poignant lyrics that relate. He is a good case study if nothing else. “Giving Up On Love” starts it off. It’s Blink 180 Pop/punk something or other. Catchy and well written, with tempo changes, but it all falls into a part of a super played out genre. Saturated by this point. Like when N’Sync was popular and then suddenly there were 300 boy bands overnight.

“Summer Wind Was Always Our Song “ is up next with those emo pop riffs. Kris has a great voice for this genre though, very clear, tuneful, and passionate. Good slow pretty parts. “I. O. U. One Galaxy “ is more emo pop poignant lyrics bonus scene points. The tempo is upped in “Bad Case of a Broken Heart”. Sounds like someone has been lamenting about Jawbreaker again...

“Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start” gets props for the code nod every gamer knows by heart, and every child of the 80’s too, of which Kris VERY OBVIOUSLY is. Hey, even an Ice Cube reference! With “Road Signs and Rock Songs” you get that goal 90’s alt radio sound you’re craving.

“If You Really Want To Hear About It...” is the final tune. More of the same, both lyrically and sonically, but still it’s right in the wheelhouse of that pop punk, blink vein that everyone was all 1998 about. Kris gives the impression that he wanted to make a record that stood the test of time, and For that, I do feel this adventure was a success. Many feelings are captured beautifully here and it’s a snapshot time capsule.

So Moon Martin bought a mystery ticket that gave him x-ray vision, among other things, and helped him burn 134 calories over 5 songs and 18 minutes. He averaged 26.8 calories per song and 7.44 calories per minute, all while earning 11 out of 15 possible stars. Kris and his Ataris decided the end is not Forever (they put out a few more albums after this) and burned an impressive 144 calories over 7 songs and 20 minutes. They averaged 20.57 calories per song and 7.20 calories per minute, all while earning 16 out of 21 possible stars. Not quite enough to beat the MOON and his x-ray vision.

Moon Martin: “X-Ray Vision”

https://youtu.be/oM06b9cN84o

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