Making lemonade must be outdated.

Just when we thought Atmosphere may be running low on oxygen after a two and a half year hiaetus from a studio album release, they give us a breathe of fresh air and fresh beats with their new album, When Life Gives You Lemons You Paint That Shit Gold (2008). With the rising price of gold and a likely recession on hand, I can see taking a new approach with this classic saying. As my grudge against Ant (Anthony Davis) and Slug (Sean Daley) has been lifted with the release of this new album, I am trying devoutly not to overplay it in fear of another album release delay. Very very difficult, though I believe this one could hold me over until sometime in late 2010.

To be expected, Slug comes through with another lyrical gift painting pictures of real life situations and stories while Ant, though maintaining his notable production touches, added some new, more synthesized beats to this album than previous ones. We all know that the synth beats are so hot right now (MGMT, Hot Chip, Ghostland Observatory, etc.).

Worth the wait? Um yes. This album, released on their own Rhymesayers Entertainment Label on April 22, 2008 and reached position number five on the Billboard 200. First time Atmosphere has broken the top ten. Selling 36,000 albums in the first week officially means “You’re a guy with a rockstar life, but you still can’t fly, so you’re mad at the sky” (Slug – “Puppets”). Did I mention Atmosphere rolls live with a full band?

May 6 2008 8:00P
Henry Fonda Theater Los Angeles, California
May 7 2008 8:00P
Henry Fonda Theater Los Angeles, California
May 8 2008 8:00P
Grand Ballroom – Regency San Francisco, California
May 9 2008 8:00P
Grand Ballroom – Regency San Francisco, California
May 10 2008 3:00P
Rasputin’s Berkeley, California

So, next time life hands you lemons, forget the lemonade. What are we 76 years old? Either go buy a case of Hefeweizens or Paint That Shit Gold! (unintentional rhyming)

Atmosphere – Shoulda Know

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Atmosphere – Yesterday

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Atmosphere – When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold (Bonus Video Version)



  1. Sydney on Tuesday 6, 2008

    oh snap, I know at least 2 people who are going to freak that this post is up on the muffin.

  2. Train on Tuesday 6, 2008

    YES!! First the Sad Clown EPs, now this album….been a good year for Atmos fans.

    “But I don’t want to go home yet
    So I’m gonna talk to my cigarette
    And that television set
    It doesn’t matter what brand or station
    Anything to take away from the current situation”
    - Guarantees

  3. the R on Tuesday 6, 2008

    oh snap is correct!!! this album is fire. the midwest runs underground hip hop as we all know. great comeback record but i was expecting this on the back of all the fantastic bad dubs that dropped in the last ten months or so. go buy this and then get hungover.