There is something frustrating about seeing a phenomenal band attempt another, less enthralling, sound. In the case of Comets on Fire, over their history they have created heavy acid psych so explosive it could blow apart your brain stem. That was what made them fantastic. On “Avatar,” Comets on Fire have chosen here to turn down the guitars, clean up the vocal sound, and keep the grand jams (though not the song lengths) to a minimum. There are strong moments here, but “Avatar” doesn’t quite deliver the punch of Comets at their best.
Album opener “Dogwood Rust” successfully substitutes catchy classic rock hooks (in the mode of Black Mountain) before erupting into a blistering free-for-all, Comets at their chaotic peak. Likewise, “Jaybird” and “The Swallow’s Eye,” while more relaxed, feature enough riffage to sate an open-minded fan. Vocalist/guitarist Ethan Miller’s voice is also a pleasant surprise on “Avatar.” Previously, he kept vocals to a minimum, usually screamed through tons of echo before the band settled into their sweet spot of full-tilt psych detonation. Here, Miller actually sings and his voice carries the melodies quite well, with a warm soulfulness unseen on previous albums.
However, Comets on Fire has always shifted their lineup on certain tracks, with monster drummer Utrillo Kushner switching to keyboards and Noel Harmonson switching from echoplex to drums. The exchange always loses something. Not only is the distinctive and dynamic sound of the echoplex gone, but Kushner is an incredible drummer – thunderous, shifty and impossibly quick – so despite Hammerson’s competency on drums, the band loses impact. The shifted lineup worked well as organ-drenched relief on the epic album “Blue Cathedral,” but here they fall flat. “Sour Smoke” is a decent instrumental shuffle stretched way too long (it feels like you’ve listened to the same song twice). Closer “Hatched Upon the Age” is the band at their least convincing, the piano feeling schmaltzy and the vocals are belted out too earnestly. Considering the album has been tuneful, if a bit underwhelming, to this point, it is an unfortunate misstep.
This is not about the change in sound, ultimately. There are songs like “Dogwood Rust” that show this could have been a fine new direction. However, the band simply isn’t as powerful and sharp throughout the entirety of “Avatar.” When you’ve seen the height these Comets have reached, it’s hard to accept less. |