The Ataris – Live In Chicago 2019 CD (Kung Fu Records / Cleopatra Records)

It’s been a while since The Ataris released some brand new recordings. Last year, this pop-punk sensation treated their fans with Hang Your Head In Hope (The Acoustic Sessions) and So Long, Astoria Demos, both released by Kung Fu Records under exclusive distribution by Cleopatra Records. This year, the band released The Graveyard Of The Atlantic acoustic album that collects various demos and sessions. Still, The Ataris has decided to unleash live footage from Chicago right after those acoustic sessions, recorded during their national tour in 2019. With heavy weaponry comprised of the records like …Anywhere Like Here, Blue Skies Broken Hearts… Next 12 Exits, End Is Forever, So Long, Astoria, Welcome The Night, and Silver Turns To Rust, an experienced band like The Ataris has loads of outstanding material to offer to devoted fans of their highly engaging music.

Live In Chicago showcases these pop-punk legends at the peak of their career. This live footage mainly includes the material from their renowned album named So Long, Astoria. Compositions like In This Diary, Unopened Letter To The World, The Hero Dies In This One, The Saddest Song, Summer ’79, Takeoffs And Landings, Radio #2, Eight Of Nine, and So Long Astoria have founded their place at this live recording. Nevertheless, The Ataris has decided to include a Boxcar from …Anywhere But Here, Car Song from The Graveyard Of The Atlantic, San Dimas from Hang Your Head In Hope, Your Boyfriend Sucks from Blue Skies, Broken Hearts… Next 12 Exits, and All Songs At Once, which serves as a mixture of all the songs stacked all together in a chaotic outro. Of course, this live performance wouldn’t be complete without Boys Of Summer, a cover song originally performed by Don Henley.

The band demonstrates a tremendous experience throughout the entire live recording by bursting with exceptional musicianship, confidence, and energetic performance. The recognizable pop-punk anthems are coming in a series of thoughtfully arranged melancholic melodies, while the tremendously recorded sound vividly illustrates the atmosphere of their live shows. From specific pop-punk ambiance to the compelling dynamics, this footage captures the true essence of The Ataris. A couple of songs like Car Song, San Dimas, and Your Boyfriend Sucks were performed solo by Kristopher Roe, but instead of being followed by an acoustic guitar, these versions include appropriate melodies delivered on a fully distorted electric guitar. Kristopher’s vocal abilities are going beyond comprehension throughout the entire live performance, and it’s nearly mindblowing how his voice doesn’t lose any stamina.

Live In Chicago will come as a cherry on the top in your record collection if you’re profoundly into The Ataris music. Perhaps this material lacks some songs from their other recordings, but the quality of the included compositions is undeniable. This live footage comes on a limited edition clear vinyl, while the compact disc and digital version are coming with a bonus stripped-down solo performance by Kristopher Roe. Once again, Live In Chicago 2019 has been published by Kung Fu Records under exclusive distribution by Cleopatra Records.