The Comas - Conductor

Let's get this out of the way -- the Comas sound like the mellower little brother of the Shins, the softer cousin of Modest Mouse. So fans of those bands will undoubtedly like the folky-psychedelic sound of the Comas' third album, Conductor, a mixture of dreamy pop and aching rock.

It starts off slow and steady, with an almost jazzy melody that melts into the ominous "Science of Your Mind." It's followed up by a stream of gently dreamy pop -- the catchy "Moonrainbow," soaring off into the ethereal "Last Transmission," and the gently plaintive "Dirty South." And "Falling" sounds like it was recorded inside a metal drum, backed by an other-worldly melody.

But early on, the Comas demonstrate that they are not just a dreampop band, with vaguely fuzzy rock like "Tonight on the WB." Some songs fizz like an old soda, like "Invisible Drugs" and "Employment." A small exception to the rock-pop mix is "Hologram," which sounds a lot like a folk song, heavy on the acoustic guitar and steady percussion. It's a track that grounds the rest of the album, if just barely. Most of it is still floating up in the air.

Ever watched the movie Dark City? Reportedly Conductor was inspired by all those viewings of the dark movie, which can definitely warp the way you see the world. For a few hours, at least. The album is far less harsh than the film, bringing to mind delicate futuristic landscapes, moonlit planets, and dark skies that happen to have stars in them.

Their music is constantly surprising, especially in the final track -- a single wavering note erupts into a roaring rocker. Guitar and percussion are put to good use, whether it's a bright, childlike melody or a Pixies-style rocker. And the bass does especially well, giving us plenty of droning fuzz that adds a rock edge to even the poppier numbers.

Andy Herod has one of those rare voice that sounds transcendental no matter what he's singing about. And you can hear some real emotion under the I'm-a-bit-stoned vocals -- reportedly some of the songs were written about his ex-girlfriend, Michelle Williams (yes, the gal from "Dawson's Creek"). That accounts for the dismally romantic tone. "I love it when you fall apart/You turn it into higher art/we see it in your eyes.../you're so rich with meaning."

To top off the melodramatic conceptual album, the Comas created startling visuals and tagged it along as a DVD movie, a perfect company to a grand album, a more seductive and mellower version of The Wall.

Heartbroken fizzy space-rock and dreampop, like the Shins on acid. What's not to love?

Official Website

Kludge brings you music and politics

Sign up to our Mailing List - Receive monthly updates on our insightful articles, music reviews, monthly streams and mp3s - no spam! no list sales!

Unsubscribe

Reader's Comments: