Released March 4, 2003 | Length 48:55 Release date 4 March 2003 | |
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Recorded August 19 to November 1, 2002 at Ocean Studios, Burbank, California; Grandmaster, Hollywood, California and Orange Whip Studios, Santa Barbara, California So Long, Astoria(2003) Live at the Metro(2004) Similar The Ataris albums, Pop punk albums | ||
So Long, Astoria is the fourth full-length album released by The Ataris in March 2003.
Contents
The album's title song alludes to the 1985 film The Goonies, which is set in Astoria, Oregon.
Background and recording
After promoting their previous album End is Forever and ending their contract with Kung Fu Records the band signed with major label Columbia Records to begin the recording of their fourth full-length album. The band hired Lou Giordano to produce the record.
The band officially entered the studio to begin recording sessions for So Long, Astoria on August 19, 2002 at Ocean Studios, Burbank, California.
Release
This is The Ataris' first and only album on Columbia Records, having previously been signed to independent punk label Kung Fu Records. "In This Diary" was released to radio on February 11, 2003. It was released on March 4. From June to August, the group went on the 2003 edition of Warped Tour. "The Boys of Summer" was released to radio on June 3, 2003. "The Saddest Song" was released to radio on September 9, 2003.
In December 2013, the band released the demos that had been recorded for the album.
Reception
Initial critical response to So Long, Astoria was very average. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 57, based on seven reviews. The album was included at number 25 on Rock Sound's "The 51 Most Essential Pop Punk Albums of All Time" list.
It peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified gold status. To date So Long, Astoria is The Ataris’ most successful album.
Track listing
All tracks written by Kris Roe, except where noted.
Songs
1So Long - Astoria3:23
2Takeoffs and Landings3:54
3In This Diary3:51