This review is part of a series looking back at significant albums on their anniversaries. Through the benefit of hindsight we will be viewing the album not just as it was released, but how it stands the test of time, as well as its place in the band’s discography and the genre in general.
Kung Fu Records – 20 February 2001
20 years is actually forever.
20 years ago, Kris Roe and The Ataris had hit an unstoppable stride, infusing Roe’s heartbreak, pop culture quirks, even personal photography, into one of the best four-piece pop punk flavors that would ever exist. 1999’s Blue Skies, Broken Hearts… Next 12 Exits would meet its conjoined twin, End Is Forever.
With a very minor peel-back on the edginess of its predecessor, “Giving Up On Love” acts as a general thesis of the album: heartbreak sucks and, while the song’s title reads resign, the rest of LP expresses an endless Valentine, full of romantic gestures, “our” songs, and offerings of galaxies and more.
The endless gushes are draped on top of the signature Ataris sound, and at it’s very best. Chris Knapp’s ever-particular drumming and kick placement can be detected in seconds, Roe’s dueling guitar dissonance is as nostalgia-inducing as possible, propped gently against NUFAN level bass playing. (Roe covered all guitar and bass on the album, and while credits are established for Marco Peña and Mike Davenport, respectfully, Roe, Knapp, and one Joey Cape, who sang additional vocals on “Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, B, A, Start” are the only three to have cut anything to tape.)
“If You Really Want to Hear About It…” is a very high moment of the release, the upbeat refresher is stuck in the middle of a lot of negativity, and opens up the second half of the record, nicely. “You Need A Hug” is also worth mentioning, as the opening bass line stands mighty with “Longview,” “Chick Magnet,” or NUFAN’s “Friends of the Enemy” in regards to punk rock sound check go-to’s.
Roe took advantage of the production opportunities to revamp a few songs from 2000’s split with Useless ID, Let It Burn, including “Bad Case of Broken Heart,” “How I Spent My Summer Vacation,” and a Western take of “Song For A Mix Tape.” “Teenage Riot” was the notable “single” of the bunch, stuffing about as many “six/eight-time punk rock song” tricks into three minutes, with obvious nods to MXPX, Green Day, and Goldfinger.
End Is Forever slams shut with “Song #13,” complete with Roe repeatedly screaming the title of the record, but gently breathes back open with the acoustically delicate “Hello And Goodbye,” which calmly rocks the record to sleep.
This album was the soundtrack to every love-smitten fan of the genre when it came out, and the brilliant instrumentation, and honest writing allow it to hold up with ease, twenty long years later. Classic.
Host of “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?,” punk rock dad, OILER from the future, oh and my biggest fears are cold poo on my face when I’m sleeping, and spiders that walk on water. Jacket enthusiast, astrological sign.
