The Ataris - 'Boys Of Summer' (Columbia)
2/5
By: Thomas Hannan
The importance of The Ataris shouldn't be ignored. The entire, slightly-soppy-punk-pop-about-girls genre is essentially owned by these guys, legions of followers and pretenders to the throne holding them in the highest esteem. Now, with new money behind them and an ever-growing audience in front, time is nigh for them to show us what they're made of...
But, no - here's a cover of Don Henley's 'The Boys Of Summer' instead.
OK, so it is a more likeable rendition than DJ Sammy managed, but only just. Probably the most frustrating thing about this release is that when singing us through their own pain The Ataris can sound genuinely heartfelt, but their thrashing out of other people's sentiments leaves a distinct taste of going through the motions.
The whole affair has such a feeling of nonchalance about it you have to wonder whether this is a purely for the money affair (they are now on Columbia after all). Thus, 'The Boys Of Summer' gives the wrong impression of the band to newcomers and a smack of disappointment to their existing devotees. What will be a shame is if it becomes their biggest hit to date, but the safe money is on exactly that.
Artists in this article: The Ataris
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