Atom and His Package
Redefining Music
Hopeless
Atom may have gone from a being a weird guy that wrote songs for his friends to a weird guy so in demand that he managed to tour Europe and Israel, but the only change in his music has been for the better. For as Atom’s musical career has progressed, he’s become more of a mature songwriter. That is, “mature” in the sense that the songs on Redefining Music are so incredibly catchy that they transgress the possibility of being seen as simple gimmicks or novelty items • a fear Atom had about much of his earlier material. But don’t worry, the established Atom fan should fear nothing from the word “mature,” because he hasn’t abandoned anything: he’s still writing songs about his friends, and this album includes tracks called “Mission 1: Avoid Job Working With Assholes” and “If You Own the Washington Redskins, You’re a Cock.” Take that for what it’s worth.
The most notable change in this album is the strong inclusion of guitar, which had already struck up a love affair with the Package. Redefining Music sees the full fruition of that union, with the normal beeps and blips of Atom’s Package carrying the tune and then, oftentimes during the chorus, a guitar adds a solid layer of rock n’ roll to the whole thing. Also included are “Shopping Spree,” a song infamous from any show of Atom’s that took place in the last few months, and a fantastic rendition of Madonna’s “Open Your Heart.” Redefining Music may not be particularly redefining what Atom is doing, but with the inclusion of the guitar, it is undeniably one small step for Atom and one giant leap for the Package.
Hopeless Records, PO Box 7495, Van Nuys, CA 91409-7495; http://www.hopelessrecords.com
