Blue Skies Broken Hearts Next 12 Exits [Import]

Ataris | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 11, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Indie
• ASIN: B000JK9Z8O
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,594,479 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Possibly the most country-sounding record title in punk rock history, Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits proved to be the breakout disc for Santa Barbara punkers the Ataris. Sporting fine production thanks to Lagwagon's Joey Cape, this follow-up to the band's surprising debut solidified the Ataris' position among the leaders of late-'90s pop-punk. The tempos settle down a little on this 1999 release, giving songs like "I Won't Spend Another Night Alone" more of an alt-rock feel, but the tight compositions never stray too far from the group's post-revivalist, almost emo punk. When Cape takes a chance by adding a melodic cello line to the acoustic "My Hotel Year," the Ataris almost dare the punk community to question their integrity but, with its one-and-a-half-minute running time and furious guitar strumming, the track maintains the record's intensity and never panders to the listenership of complaint-saturated soft rock, which somehow became known as alternative in the mid-'90s. True to form, the Ataris give solid performances of first-rate pop-punk material on this, perhaps their best release. --Vincent Jeffries at allmusic.com

Product Description

''Possibly the most country-sounding record title in punk rock history, Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits proved to be the breakout disc for Santa Barbara punkers the Ataris. Sporting fine production thanks to Lagwagon's Joey Cape, this follow-up to the band's surprising debut solidified the Ataris' position among the leaders of late-'90s pop-punk. The tempos settle down a little on this 1999 release, giving songs like ''I Won't Spend Another Night Alone'' more of an alt-rock feel, but the tight compositions never stray too far from the group's post-revivalist, almost emo punk. When Cape takes a chance by adding a melodic cello line to the acoustic ''My Hotel Year,'' the Ataris almost dare the punk community to question their integrity but, with its one-and-a-half-minute running time and furious guitar strumming, the track maintains the record's intensity and never panders to the listenership of complaint-saturated soft rock, which somehow became known as alternative in the mid-'90s. True to form, the Ataris give solid performances of first-rate pop-punk material on this, perhaps their best release.'' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best melodic punk albums ever, June 28, 2000

By 

"waaaang" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits (Audio CD)

i have been listening to this cd for a long while now, and this is hands down one of the top 5 albums i have ever bought in my entire life. While at first you may read the lyrics and say "hey these guys are like all the new school punk bands" but they are much better in that regard. The difference with this cd is that every song is distinctive. Their are NO filler type songs just sitting there to take up space, every song is amazing, and they just NEVER get old. This is by far the Ataris best album they have recorded and its just amazing. For me, each song related to me personally and it also let me think a little more on my outlook on life. As they say "never compromise what you believe" and i have carried that with me for a long time now.

The songs are undescribable...they are just amazing. Kris Roe's vocals are just so interesting that you can't help but not like his songs. Moreover his guitar skill is likewise awesome, kind of makes you think when you find out that his amazing guitar skills are played by him while he is playing his guitar upside down.

Best and most memorable songs for me have got to be Losing Streak, San Dimas High, I Wont spend another night alone, and The LAST song i will ever write about a girl. Those are just the best songs. If you want a cd that will continue to shine and be one of your favorites for years to come i really suggest you buy this cd. it is beyond what any current commercial bands have put out. It is simply music for those with an ear for intelligent and deep lyrics, and awesome guitar melodies. You are only causing yourself grief by not buying it.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Foundation Album, April 20, 2005

By 

Nicholas J. Palatucci "Krupskaya" (Williamstown, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits (Audio CD)

Well after reading the last review on here saying how So Long, Astoria was much better than this one and how anyone who disagreed doesn't know what good music is, I decided to add my two cents. This album was clearly The Ataris' stepping stone album. Anywhere But Here was great, but it blended in with many other bands at the time. Here, Kris Roe and the Ataris beautifully flex their story-telling, song writing muscle here. So Long, Astoria is their fourth full length, and most mature album to date. But without Blue Skies, it would be nothing. It is here where they adopted their style and built onto it with experience and the improving benefits of time. This is very heartfelt album with great stories to tell. Lyrically, Roe took from the usual "things were great, she broke my heart - life sucks" idea, incorporated it into his own experiences and wrote great relateable, not cliche, lyrics to it. Musically, the chord progressions and melodies are superb and un-matchable for the time, and even today. Just listen and read into songs like 1*15*96, the infamous San Dimas Highschool Football Rules, In Spite of the World and ESPECIALLY My Hotel Year, you'll get what I mean (and also read the book it was based on, Coupland's Life After God).

So for those who think this album sucks and So Long, Astoria is much better - you're entitled to your opinion. But respect the fact that this album was a foundation with which they would be nothing without.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Album!, December 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits (Audio CD)

This CD is awesome. Every single song is really catchy. If you're a fan of punk music and/or you like more popular bands like Green Day and Blink 182, you'll love this CD as much as I do.