Album Details

• Artist: A'tris
• Album: Of The Commons
• Label: Mark
• Year of Release: 2007
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2007-11-10

Wow! Where the hell did A'tris come from? Oh, yeah. Their bio here says Boston. But seriously, I had never heard of this band previous to hearing this EP, Of The Commons and now...now I just wonder how many other fucking great bands have slipped under my radar. This is one of the most refreshing and enjoyable bunch of songs I've heard all year.

   The EP contains 6 tracks of soulful, eclectic and enamored alt-rock, a fusing of electronics, beautiful guitar melodies, amazingly potent vocals and superb songwriting. If this sounds asskissy it's only because of how good each of these songs really is. Opener "Conquer All" will make you believe you're just hearing another indie rock band before the strange, melodramatic lyrics kick in and before you know it, a huge chorus is swirling by and your feet are tapping right along. Around the 2 minute mark everything gets very dark, as haunting synth lines sweep over thumping techno beats and more twisted vocals. Leadman Mason Taylor is as expressive and intriguing a vocalist as you can ask for, reminding of 30STM's Jared Leto and sometimes even Deftones throat Chino Moreno. My favorite track has to be "Moored", a dark, foreboding track that seems to focus on the monotiny and trapped feelings of...an office job. But these could just be metaphors, these odd lyrics. Who knows. All I know is that the chorus section, with a bright Nintendo-esque keyboard melody coupled with even more impressive vocal melodies wrapped in pulsing bass notes gives me chills. Literally sends chills down my spine.

I have to hear more of A'tris, and that goes for you too. Of The Commons is a perfect place to start. These guys have one hell of a future. Wow. 

User Reviews and Comments

on 2008-01-03 SolitaryMan Said:

I really do hope some of you will check these guys out: I know for a fact a few of you would love this EP.
Not Rated