The Atari Star - Prayer and Pretend (Johann's Face Records)

Reviewed by Mark Oster

This is the third full length from Atari Star, and regrettably, the first one I've heard. In fact I didn't know alot about this band before receiving the record. I had heard of them, but that's about it. So I was pretty surprised when I found out it was fronted by Marc Ruvolo, a staple of the Chicago rock community with a resume that has few peers: No Empathy, The Traitors, founder of Johann's Face Records. I was suddenly very excited to give this a listen, and was surprised, pleased, but surprised, by what I heard. While elements of Ruvolo's punk past leak through on the Atari Star, it's hardly the defining element of their sound. Prayer and Pretend presents a different texture with each passing track, running a gauntlet that includes angular, aggressive, melodic, gentle, sonic, and introspective. Throughout this, the band manages to adhere to a sound marked by well crafted guitar tones, melodic bass lines, and Ruvolo's recognizable upper to mid-range dry, yet powerful, vocals. Ruvolo's lyrics are mature, sometimes simple, sometimes enigmatic, always engrossing, encouraged by some very catchy hooks. Each listen presents the consumer with a new aspect to appreciate, the wide ranging color of the sound is well layered and demands close attention. Everything is well laid out by producer Greg Norman of Albini's Electrical Audio Studios (the invisible hand of Steve Albini is also present on track 7: a cover of Shellac's "Copper"). Grown up punk rockers like myself will welcome this album like an old friend that has grown with them, conniseurs of indie rock will appreciate the diversity and craftsmanship Prayer and Pretend presents. Recommended for fans of Modest Mouse, Fugazi, and punk tinged indie in general.

Originally posted in Issue 1.2, September/October 2004