Artist description The Atari Star's music unfolds like clockwork: simple, steady and mesmerizing. The simplicity is deceptive . . . the way haiku or Thorton Wilder's Our Town are deceptively simple. The more one listens to their spare, elegant debut EP "Moving in the Still Frame" (1999) or their full-length indie rock primer, "Shrp Knf Cts Mtns" (2000), the more the listener is taken in by The Atari Star's quiet power.

Music Style Mellow, melodic indie pop

Musical Influences Pedro the Lion, the Weaker-Thans, Low, Coldplay

Similar Artists the Weaker Thans, Pedro the Lion, Guided by Voices

Group Members The Atari Star's leader and sole lyricist Marc Ruvolo decides against the current fashion of announcing every thought and feeling at the top of his lungs in favor of an impressionistic landscape of language, leaving us cautious, fragile clues that lead us to each song's emotional center. Keyboardist Sevillesdote builds on the spacious elegance of the former trio. New bassist Rob Vester brings a muscular, rocking undercurrent to The Atari Star's melodic pop sound. And drummer Davey Houle's steady pulse sounds more confident than ever.

Instruments Guitar, keyboards, bass, drums

Press Reviews Punk Planet "Indie rock has a new face and it's these guys . . . well thought out music, decent lyrics, it has it all . . . worth checking out for those of you who dig bands similar to Guided By Voices, Modest Mouse or Belle and Sebastian." The Chicago Reader "Good bittersweet pop . . . the melodies roll out like chocolate, charming and smooth." The Big Takeover "Ringing little trance guitars and drums ticking away . . . [The Atari Star] uses a minimal, low-key rock approach [that] works on an intimate level." Alarm " . . . well-crafted songs, subtle and plaintive." Indie Pulse 10 out of 11 stars (Best so far this year) "Undeniably catchy . . . Piano and guitar merge so seamlessly on 'Shrp Knf Cts Mtns,' it makes each note seem so well-placed, that when you hear a stray piano key or guitar strum, it just fits." Pop Matters "The Atari Star is a brilliant, shining orb of power and subtle beauty . . . crafting perfect yet simple pop songs." Power of Pop "A soft pop element injected with dazzling effect. The Atari Star can do no wrong." The New Scheme "After a relatively short period of time The Atari Star seem ready to make a name for themselves in a crowded genre. Solid, powerful stuff if you're into quiet yet melodic indie rock." Outlines " . . . a beautiful pop gem throughout." Windy City Times "The beauty of The Atari Star is in its relaxed subtlety. 'Someone More Deserving than Myself' is a definite distillation of their sound and probably a small masterpiece." Interstate Zine " . . . humble, honest . . . a solid blueprint for an age when indie groups are as conscious of what they do in the studio as they are aware of what they do on stage." Wonka Vision "The Atari Star bring forth a new age of pop, one that is simple and carefree, that relies on sophisticated, composed melodies rather than abrupt noise."

Location Chicago, IL - USA

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