Customer Reviews

Look Forward to Failure

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having just graduated from high school, I look back on, among other things, the music to which I listened. This CD pretty much fell into my lap one night in January (friend reccomended it to a friend who played it that night), and I'm really, really glad it did. Perhaps I only like it so much because I have a lot of memories tacked on to it, but in reality, "Look Forward to Failure" is possibly the best example of unpretentious pop-punk I've ever heard. Blink is really in right now, and I personally hate the Offspring, but the Ataris aren't really more than they try to be- a band who writes songs about the teenage male experience. Right now, my favorite song is "My Special Girl", but "San Dimas", "My So-Called Life", and "My Hotel Year" rock too. The other two have a place and a time, but can't compare with the others. Kudos to the Ataris. I say with no hesitation that this album (EP- sorry) is the soundtrack of my senior year (with only minor competition from The Slackers' 'The Question' and Limp Bizkit's 'Three Dollar Bill'). I'm buying it as a birthday present for a friend who's just starting his senior year. Basically, if you're in high school, this is just great background music. Give it a chance.

It's one of the greatest punk rock EP's ever produced. Ironically titled Look Forward To Failure, in retrospect we can see clearly that The Ataris only had success to look forward to after this release, especially with their Blue Skies album that won them an eternal place in punk rock history.

This EP skites six songs, two of which are pretty good and remaining four hover around, if not on, legendary status. And since only one of these four tracks are available on other releases, it makes this EP a must have for Ataris fans and punk rock enthusiasts. The tracks that demand respect I speak of are San Dimas High School Football Rules, My So Called Life, a heavier than Blue Skies version of My Hotel Year and the best of them all, Between You And Me.

The two 'pretty good' tracks Not A Worry In The World and That Special Girl definitely are better than your average album filler. The inner notes state that San Dimas and That Special Girl are to appear in their upcoming album Blue Skies - Not that it ever ended up happening.

I should mention that Mark Hoppus steps up for the cameo vocals on That Special Girl, but really it's a minor role and nothing that a Blink 182 fan would get overly excited about.

I recommend you buy this ironically named EP so your ears can benefit from what it has to offer.

Forget So Long Astoria. This is how The Ataris should be heard. These 6 songs pack emotion into pop-punk (but it's not emo - that's an important distinction) and come off sounding like a combination of the Descendents and the Smoking Popes. They avoid the emo trap they would later fall into by packing these songs with equal doses of emotion and humor. "My So-Called Life" is a tribute to an actress on the TV show of the same name, and the classic "San Dimas High School Football Rules" takes its name from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Even though it's only an E.P, Look Forward To Failure is a quintessential Ataris record.

I saw The Ataris live at the House of Blues in Hollywood when they opened for MxPx and they were awesome. They sing just as well live as they do on their cd. Although this album only has 6 songs they're all really good. If you like punk in any way you'll like this cd

i was in a car with a friend when i heard this one, and since its only 6 songs i got to hear it all. i borrowed this cd and became attached to it and the ataris. san dimas and between you and me have to b the best songs because you can really RELATE to the songs as an average highschool kid. this ep really opened up the world of the ataris to me and i have everyone of their great cds now.

I used to never know who the Ataris were. Then one day at the rcord store. I saw this EP "look forward to failure". I figured "What can I lose? it's only 5.99". Little did I know there was soo much that i could gane, and did with this EP. With such power-punk-emo songs as "San Dimas high school football rules". Which is a tale of him taking a girl to Las Vegas and wishing he could be with her for the rest of his life. Also, "my So-called life" when he will do anything just to get the girls attention. This is not just the typical emo album with the high whiny voices, and the slow acoustic guitars. It's no Dashboard Confessional album. It has fast power-packed guitars and heavy riffs. This is truly the best EP I own. And it got me hooked on the Ataris. It will do the same for you too......

Sure, this may be an EP with only six songs, but every single song is great. They're fun, fast, and they are all different from each other, a must in the punk rock biz. This EP was mainly a speed bump, if you will, on the road to Blue Skies Broken Hearts Next Twelve Exits. It was something for us to get used to, for the next record would be alot alike it. On to the songs...1. San Dimas HS Football Rules...you've probably heard this song someplace or another, and it keeps on getting better every time you hear it. This version is no exception, although I do like the original better (4.5/5)...2. My So Called Life...this is a very cool song, about a guy who is writing to the girl of his dreams, but never gets a response. This song is a prime example of the Ataris' style: Quick verses with catchy coruses (na na na na na!) with witty and funny, not supid, mind you, lyrics. (4/5)...3. Not A Worry In The World...a more hardcore, persay, track. It's heavier than the other songs here, but it's still an awesome track. This is probably the strongest track lyrically on Look Forward To Failure (4.5/5)...4. My Hotel Year...To tell you the truth, I was never really big on this song, and it is one of the songs where I like the acoustic version better than the original. An OK track, but it's the Ataris, so it has to be good, right? Right. (4/5)...5. Between You And Me...The BEST song the Ataris have ever written, as well as my favorite. It is flawless, with great lyrics, and harmonious vocals by Kris Roe. It even contains a, yes, a HARMONICA! Definately something you don't see every day in the world of punk. (5+/5)...6. That Special Girl...Save the best for last? Not here, more like save the worst for last. This song is nmediocre, with a guest appearance by Mark Hoppus from Blink 182. The lyrics obviously have that Mark-esque touch to them ("Do you have a boyfriend, or possibly a girlfriend," come on, tell me that doesn't sound like Mark wrote them). (3/5). Want great songs at a low price? Look no further.

If you can buy one cd this summer buy The Ataris:looking Forward to Failure. I have had the cd for about 6 months and i still listen to the cd once a week. I have all The Ataris cds and so far this is the best one. Even though this cd has 6 songs, it still is a great cd and will be stuck in your head all day. The Ataris is an awesome band and i hope they make more cds likes this one. The best song is "Not a Worry in the World."

My best friend just bought this CD last week and I have been borrowing it constantly! I plan on buying it myself soon (when i get the $). This band is very talented, and if you like pop-punk, this is the perfect CD to get. Although it only has 6 songs on it, all of them are worth listening to. "San Dimas High School Football Rules" is my favorite; it is so sweet! I also like "My So Called Life". Blink 182 is my favorite band, but I think The Ataris is getting up there, too. This is a great CD and I really recommend it to anyone who likes pop-punk.

The Ataris are a great pop-punk band. Their lyrics are catchy and you can't get them out of your head. "San Dimas High School Football Rules" is a song that rates right up there with Green Day's "Paper Lanterns" and "Dry Ice". Buy this album, help the Ataris get the recognition they deserve!