1. |
So Long, Astoria
03:23
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"So Long, Astoria" - Lyrics and Music: Kristopher Roe
It was the first snow of the season
i can almost see you breathing
in the middle of that empty street
Sometimes i still see myself
in that lonesome bedroom
playing my guitar
and singing songs of hope
for a better future
Life is only as good as the memories we make
and I'm taking back what belongs to me.
Polaroids of classrooms unattended
these relics of remembrance
are just like shipwrecks;
Only they're gone faster
than the smell after it rains.
Last night while everyone was sleeping
I drove through my old neighborhood
and resurrected memories from ashes.
We said that we would never fit in
when we were really just like them.
Does rebellion ever make a difference?
Life is only as good as the memories we make
and I'm taking back what belongs to me.
Polaroids of classrooms unattended
these relics of remembrance
are just like shipwrecks;
Only they're gone faster
than the smell after it rains.
So long Astoria
I've found a map to buried treasure
and even if we come home empty handed
well still have our stories
of battle scars, pirate ships and wounded hearts,
broken bones, and all the best of friendships
And when this hourglass
has filtered out
it's final grain of sand
I'll raise my glass to the memories we had.
This is my wish and I'm taking it back
I'm taking them all back.
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2. |
Takeoffs and Landings
03:53
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"Takeoffs and Landings" - Lyrics and Music: Kristopher Roe
On this coldest of January nights,
we'll drive out past the runway,
and watch the planes go flying by.
The runway lights are the deepest blue
Like the colors of your eyes,
So close them tight and kiss me one last time.
If you could go anywhere right now, where would you go,
and would you miss me when you get there?
There's no place that I would rather be.
Please don't let me, go falling from the sky,
This fasten seatbelt sign just needs to go out.
If only you could be, right here by my side,
Home wouldn't seem so far from here.
Passport, customs, carry-on, remember
to shut off all of your electronic devices.
Fell asleep on Tuesday, woke up Monday afternoon
I slept right through your international dateline.
If you could go anywhere right now,
Where would you go,
and would you miss me when you get there?
There's no place that I would rather be.
Please don't let me, go falling from the sky,
This fasten seatbelt sign just needs to go out.
If only you could be, right here by my side,
Home wouldn't seem so far from here.
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3. |
In This Diary
03:50
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"In This Diary" - Lyrics and Music: Kristopher Roe
Here in this diary I write you visions of my summer,
It was the best I ever had.
There were choruses and sing alongs
And that unspoken feeling of knowing
That right now is all that matters.
All those nights we stayed up talking
Listening to 80's songs
And quoting lines from all those movies that we loved
It still brings a smile to my face.
I guess when it comes down to it...
Being grown up isn't half as fun as growing up
These are the best days of our lives.
The only thing that matters is just following your heart
And eventually you'll finally get it right.
Breaking into hotel swimming pools
And wreaking havoc on our world,
Hanging out at truck stops
Just to pass the time.
The blacktop singing me to sleep.
Lighting fireworks in parking lots
Illuminate the blackest nights
Cherry cokes under this moonlit'summer sky.
2015 Riverside, it's time to say goodbye!
Get on the bus, it's time to go.
Being grown up isn't half as fun as growing up
These are the best days of our lives.
The only thing that matters is just following your heart
And eventually you'll finally get it right.
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4. |
My Reply
04:13
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"My Reply" - Lyrics and Music: Kristopher Roe
I got your letter and the poetry you sent me
Postmarked in december of last year.
I really hope you're doing better,
All your friends close by your side
One step closer to recovery.
I wish there was something I could say
To erase each and every page that you've been through,
Even though its not my place to save you.
I appreciate but can't accept this "thank you" note
That's sealed with your last breath,
And I won't stand aside and listen to you give up!
If you'll just hold on for one more second
Just hold on to what you have,
If you'll just hold on, just hold on.
These arms remain stretched out to you,
Maybe someday you'll accept them.
or maybe its too late to save
a young girl's heart that's long stopped beating.
Wake up, wake up, you've gotta believe!
Wake up, wake up, you cant give up!
Time keeps going on without us,
long after we're dead and gone.
I wish there was something I could say
To erase each and every page that you've been through,
Even though its not my place to save you.
I appreciate but can't accept this "thank you" note
That's sealed with your last breath,
And I won't stand aside and listen to you give up!
If you'll just hold on for one more second,
Just hold on to what you have.
If you'll just hold on, just hold on,
You will wake up tomorrow.
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5. |
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"Unopened Letter to the World" - Lyrics and Music: Kristopher Roe
If I died tomorrow would this song live on forever??
Here is my...unopened letter to a world
that never shall reply.
From this second story window I can hear the church bells
calling out my name.
This table is set for one.
Even angels would be homesick in this forsaken town.
On random notes of parchment I'm scrawling my existence,
Dressed in white. This candle radiates throughout the night
And it's never burning out, Never burning out.
From this second story window I can hear the children
down on Main Street.
They're singing their songs tonight.
In the shadows, I will listen to their every movement.
Mr. Higginson, Am I not good enough for the world?
Am I destined only to die the same way that I lived...
In seclusion.
From high upon this mountain I can almost see
Your lonely windowsill.
They'll carry you off tonight.
There's a ghost in your old bedroom
And a candle burning bright.
If I died tomorrow would this song live on forever?
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6. |
The Saddest Song
04:15
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"The Saddest Song" - Lyrics and Music: Kristopher Roe
Only two more days until your birthday,
Yesterday was mine.
You'll be turning five.
I know what it's like
growing up without your father in your life.
So I pretend that I'm doing all I can,
And hope someday you'll find it in your heart,
To understand why I'm not around,
And forgive me for not being in your life.
I remember waiting for you to come,
Remember waiting for you to call.
Remember waiting there to find nothing at all.
Maybe someday you'll really get to know me,
Not just from letters read to you.
I pray I get the chance to make it up to you.
We've got a lot of catching up to do.
So I pretend I'm doing all I can,
And hope someday you'll find it in your heart,
To understand why I'm not around,
And forgive me for not being in your life.
I remember waiting for you to come.
Remember waiting for you to call.
Remember waiting there to find nothing at all.
Forgive me, I'm so sorry.
I will make it up to you.
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7. |
Summer '79
03:58
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"Summer '79" - Lyrics and Music: Kristopher Roe
Our last day of summer, 1979
We gotta live up one time before it's over
We will make history tonight.
Out at the drive-in
All of our closest friends they will be sneaking in.
You'll be spending your whole night
Trying everything you can to get that girl to notice you.
"We Are the Champions" playing loud on the radio station,
Everyone sing along with these anthems of our generation.
Cruising down Pacific Coast Highway
Put the top down, crawl into the back seat,
Let's create anthems of our own tonight.
Down at the roller rink
All the cool kids crowding around the air hockey table,
"Hey, my best friend likes you!"
I hear you shout at me as you go skating by.
"We Are the Champions" playing loud on the radio station,
Everyone sing along with these anthems of our generation.
Cruising down Pacific Coast Highway
Put the top down, crawl into the back seat,
Let's create anthems of our own tonight.
Sneak out of your window, darling
Let's live like outlaws, honey.
We'll never look back.
Climb out on this rooftop
And stare at the city lights below us.
This world belongs to us tonight,
The kids will keep raging on and they ain't ever gonna stop!
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8. |
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"The Hero Dies in This One" - Lyrics: Kristopher Roe
Music: Mike Davenport / Kristopher Roe / John Collura / Chris Knapp
As I leave here today
Apartment 108
I'll always keep you in my heart.
Anderson is cold tonight,
The leaves are scattered on the ground.
I miss the seasons and the comfort of your smile.
Sometimes this all feels like a dream,
I'm waiting for someone just to wake me up from this life.
As I look out at these fairgrounds,
I remember how our family split apart.
I don't think I ever told you,
but I know you always did your best
and the hard times only made us stronger.
As I sit here all alone,
I wonder how I'm supposed to carry on
when you're gone.
I'll never be the same without you,
I love you more than you will ever know.
So maybe now you'll finally know.
Sometimes we're helpless and alone,
but you can't let it keep you weighted down.
You must go on.
Do you ever feel like crying?
Do you ever feel like giving up?
I raise my hands up towards the sky,
I say this prayer for you tonight,
because nothing is impossible.
*The hardest part isn't finding what we need to be,
it's being content with who we are.
Stay who you are.
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9. |
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"All You Can Ever Learn is What You Already Know"
Lyrics: Kristopher Roe
Music: John Collura / Kristopher Roe / Mike Davenport / Chris Knapp
Is this how it was intended?
The sunrise over smokestacks in the Midwest.
The beauty of this abandoned factory.
Christmas lights blinking on and off all out of time
In what used to be,
Your pink house dreams of a middle class America.
I'm trying to believe in you,
But all these satellites and shattered dreams are blocking out my view.
Please don't forget who you really are,
'Cause nothing really matters when we're gone.
Fell in love with his Keno waitress
They honeymooned in Memphis,
They were married by the drive-up window.
Trailer parks, neon signs, and an empty box of Lucky Strikes
All used up on the dashboard of America.
I'm trying to believe in you
But this world sold its faith for parking lots and drunk sincerity.
Please don't forget who you really are,
'Cause nothing really matters when we're...
You'll be saddened to know,
The train tracks you once walked as a young boy,
Are now nothing but a graveyard.
Please don't forget how small we really are.
Nothing really matters when we're gone.
I'm trying to believe in you.
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10. |
The Boys of Summer
04:17
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Originally recorded by Don Henley from his album
"Building the Perfect Beast"
Lyrics and Music by: Don Henley and Mike Campbell
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11. |
Radio #2
03:27
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Radio #2
Meet me at midnight the broadcast tower,
High above the Hollywood sign.
You bring your guitair and i'll bring my "Radio Radio."
Everyone will come for miles around to witness this beautiful sight,
We'll set bonfires, pretend it's the Fourth of July.
This is the starting of a brand new revolution
Bite the hand that feeds.
Stand up and fight against the messages that they're sending.
Stop their frequency!
You're always talking, It's never ending.
It's about time that we turned off the radio.
Call the request lines and tell them that it's over.
You're always playing all of the same songs
over and over again.
It's about time that we all turned off the radio.
We'll listen to b-sides and sing along to anthems of the years gone by.
Integrity and honesty will prevail tonight.
When it's all over, one question still remains...
Why do so many bands never make it to the radio?
Look outside your F.M. dial.
They're preaching lies in 4/4 time.
A generation without a voice,
and stripped of pride.
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12. |
Looking Back on Today
03:54
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"Looking Back on Today" - Lyrics and Music: Kristopher Roe
30th of April, seems like yesterday
Bought a house above the ocean
Where our kids could laugh and play
I called you from Paris to tell you that I
Wrote our names on the observation deck
of the Eiffel Tower.
Remember those nights playing "Summer Wind"
on the jukebox of the bar we used to go
We made out in the bathroom
and you walked me to my house.
I tried to convince you not to go home.
If only I had more time,
I'd take you where you wanted to go.
Italy isn't the same without you here.
If only I had one wish,
I'd want a million trillion lifetimes that I could spend with you.
I'd fall in love with you again and again.
1st of November 1998,
I was thinking of what to say when I would call.
Come over to my house 'cause you're the one for me,
We'll drink cheap wine and watch for shooting stars.
Remember our first apartment
Our couch was never big enough for two,
Still we'd fall asleep in each other's arms
and wake up on the floor
Now looking back it was made for me and you.
If only I had more time,
I'd take you where you wanted to go.
Japan is really nice this time of year.
If only I had one wish,
I'd want a million trillion life times that I could spend with you.
I'd fall in love with you again and again.
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13. |
Eight of Nine
03:55
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"Eight of Nine" - Lyrics and Music: Kristopher Roe
These hospital walls are the palest of white.
Here in this desert they're reciting my last rights.
The smell of these halls brings temporary comfort
As the oxygen flows through my blood.
El CorazΓ³n was poisoned tonight...
She's on her Eight of Nine.
When half of all your prayers are insincere,
The other half are lies.
Here is this watermark under this bridge.
The point where it all crested,
Rolled back and drifted into the sea.
I climb from this wreckage
As the smoke begins to clear from my lungs.
The closest of close calls has happened tonight.
It's time that I made things right
for the first time, since the last time.
Let this moment of clarity
Lift this curse that has been cast upon me.
Appreciate the good times,
But don't take the worst for granted
'Cause you only get so many second chances.
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14. |
A Beautiful Mistake
03:16
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"A Beautiful Mistake" - Lyrics and Music: Kristopher Roe
Maybe I'm not ready for this, and you know it.
Maybe I'm too scared to tell you what I'm really thinking.
It's not fair to stay together because of regrets we might have.
I don't want to fall asleep alone, but do I want to wake up with you?
I'm only trying to be completely honest.
So, I guess this is the ending or a beautiful mistake.
And if we both agree that we shouldn't be together why does it...
Hurt so much and I feel like I lost my closest friend.
I don't want to fall asleep alone, but do I want to wake up with you?
I hope you're happy and completely lonely.
There I am standing all alone on Sydney Harbour Bridge.
And you know, I would jump into the fucking ocean
If it meant I was truly capable of being satisfied.
Well I ever be?
Did I just give up the best thing I ever had?
I don't want to fall asleep alone, but do I want to wake up with you?
I hope you're happy and completely lonely.
I don't want to fall asleep alone, but do I want to wake up with you?
I'm only trying to be completely honest.
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15. |
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"I Won't Spend Another Night Alone" - Lyrics and Music: Kristopher Roe
A star up in the sky goes slowly passing by,
The lights below they spell out your name.
You're comfort on my mind and you're with me all the time.
And lots of feelings that I can't explain.
I won't spend another night alone.
Out of every girl I meet, no other can compete.
I'd ditch 'em all for a night with you.
I know you don't believe you mean this much to me,
But I promise you that you do.
I won't spend another night alone.
If I had one wish this is what it would be,
I'd ask you to spend all your time with me.
Then we'd be together forever.
We'd buy a small house in South Central L.A.
Raise lots of kids and get robbed by a gang,
Just as long as we're together.
The things you make me wanna do
I'd rob a quik-e-mart for you.
I'd go to the pound and let all the cats go free.
Just as long as you'd be with me.
I won't spend another night alone.
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16. |
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"The Saddest Song" - Lyrics and Music: Kristopher Roe
Only two more days until your birthday,
Yesterday was mine.
You'll be turning five.
I know what it's like
growing up without your father in your life.
So I pretend that I'm doing all I can,
And hope someday you'll find it in your heart,
To understand why I'm not around,
And forgive me for not being in your life.
I remember waiting for you to come,
Remember waiting for you to call.
Remember waiting there to find nothing at all.
Maybe someday you'll really get to know me,
Not just from letters read to you.
I pray I get the chance to make it up to you.
We've got a lot of catching up to do.
So I pretend I'm doing all I can,
And hope someday you'll find it in your heart,
To understand why I'm not around,
And forgive me for not being in your life.
I remember waiting for you to come.
Remember waiting for you to call.
Remember waiting there to find nothing at all.
Forgive me, I'm so sorry.
I will make it up to you.
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The Ataris
Honest rock n' roll, played loud, recorded to analog tape.
Founded in 1996.
Over twenty-five
years later still going strong, traveling the world doing what we love.
Download exclusive new music here on our Bandcamp page.
Add our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for tour dates and other updates!
... more
The Ataris recommends:
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An incredible band from Minneapolis playing music great honest rock n' roll in the vein of Husker Du, Dinosaur Jr, Teenage Fanclub, The Replacements and everything else you should love.
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Brave Faces Everyone
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The verse "Can't even buy a coffee without exploiting someone" got me. It really hits hard. For the entire length of the album it felt like the end of the world. But to be perfectly honest, it's just how life is these days. And it's fucked up.
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Off-kilter Portland indie rockers make an unexpected return with a tight three-track EP, their first new release in 12 years.
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