Instead of trying to create a futuristic Daft Punk dance-funk on Bring on the Comets, VHS or Beta borrow from the decadent '80s, taking notes on forming pop songs from their alt predecessors, Depeche Mode and Tears for Fears. The grooves that were once the cornerstone for their early work are much less noticeable here, as they've been draped with grandiose, sweeping choruses. Becoming more concise and memorable songwriters is a good thing, but now the result is too much like straight-up '80s pop sprinkled with dance-punk sensibilities. The songs are so polished and dipped in sheen that they beg for a raw moment where the smooth knob is turned to the left. Glistening keyboard arpeggios melt behind the Simon LeBon-like vocal crooning while kick thump and delayed guitar riffs are stacked upon track after track until all the tracks blend together in bland mediocrity. This isn't to say that the songs are monotonous. There are interesting chord changes prevalent, especially in moments like the chorus of "Can't Believe a Single Word" marinated in Rick Springfield guitar chunks or the surprising swing to the XTC hook of "Love in my Pocket," and it wouldn't be accurate to call Bring on the Comets predictable, but the stylish gloss of it all just sounds, well, samey. The songs aren't remarkable and they aren't bad, they're just there. Big catchy hooks are interesting at first, especially on "Fall Down Lightly," but the disc ultimately doesn't merit more than a couple listens before cooling off and becoming passé. The good news is that the band seems to be moving towards a bright white light, away from the Killers style dance-punk, evolving, and getting closer to finding their own style. They're not quite there yet, but they're definitely on the hunt, rummaging around for something better.
First up, the song that opened Saturday at Coachella on the right foot.Didn't get as much rest as I would have liked, and awoke to the sounds of excited whispering. I arise to find Amber and Jaye going through Amber's pictures from Day 1. I didn't get the full preview, but I did see the picture that now acts as her avatar. Isn't it wonderful?Anyway, Amber and I duck out for some groceries, and ...
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VHS or Beta played at Halfway to Forecastle, a teaser for the Forecastle Music Festival in Louisville, KY running July 25-27, 2008. This is live footage with high quality audio of their set up and the song 'Burn It All Down'.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC9dx6Ns_K8
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VHS or BetaBring on the CometsAstralwerksMaybe I’m missing something, but isn’t the flamboyant, post-disco punkish culture of the 80’s coming back is style? Isn’t that what all the kids are doing these days? Is that not why bands like Ima Robot, The Killers, 1990’s (ironically), The Sounds, The Bravery, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Of Montreal and countless others exist? Well apparently the
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First up, the song that opened Saturday at Coachella on the right foot.Didn't get as much rest as I would have liked, and awoke to the sounds of excited whispering. I arise to find Amber and Jaye going through Amber's pictures from Day 1. I didn't get the full preview, but I did see the picture that now acts as her avatar. Isn't it wonderful?Anyway, Amber and I duck out for some groceries, and ...
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First, a track from the band that opened the main stage on Coachella Saturday; this song was their set-opener. They really did a great job starting Saturday off on a good note.Now, to serve notice of those who attended Coachella 2008 together this past weekend, and proceeded to have The. Best. Vacation. Ever."+Amber+":http://mog.com/amber: The main organizer, our mother hen, bus driver, and shu...
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VHS or BetaBring on the CometsAstralwerksMaybe I’m missing something, but isn’t the flamboyant, post-disco punkish culture of the 80’s coming back is style? Isn’t that what all the kids are doing these days? Is that not why bands like Ima Robot, The Killers, 1990’s (ironically), The Sounds, The Bravery, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Of Montreal and countless others exist? Well apparently the
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If you work at a theatre long enough, you will end up having a crazy night or two. Tonight would be one of those nights as the fire alarm went off about 30 minutes into the first act of A Christmas Carol. Luckily there was no fire and lucky me because while my official job title is "Office Manager" this evening I was filling the role of "waitress" at our holiday cabaret. This meant I could l...
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VHS or Beta played at Halfway to Forecastle, a teaser for the Forecastle Music Festival in Louisville, KY running July 25-27, 2008. This is live footage with high quality audio of their set up and the song 'Burn It All Down'.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC9dx6Ns_K8
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Euglama |
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| 2 Love in My Pocket |
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| 3 She Says |
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| 4 Can't Believe a Single Word |
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| 5 Burn It All Down |
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| 6 Take It or Leave It |
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| 7 Alpha Theta |
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| 8 Bring on the Comets |
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| 9 Fall Down Lightly |
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| 10 We Could Be One |
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| 11 Time Stands Still |
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| 12 The Stars Where We Came From |
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Click to purchase…
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 "Bring on the Comets")
