Comet Gain - Howl of the Lonely (CD)

I'm terribly in love with this latest from cult underdog stalwarts Comet Gain. They are truly gifted songwriters you know! They deftly veer between numerous styles without losing the Comet Gain vibe which shines with a knowing shamble and an earthy charm.  I mean the opening song has such an endearing comic title which is reflected in the affability of their loose harmony-drenched arrangements. Rousing country flecked college pop licks my ears and has me thinking of Nikki Sudden & early Pastels - a spirited reedy organ line singing like a shimmering orchestra at the back! When they do stomping indie such as 'The Weekend Dreams' it sounds so alive & rough-edged, heartfelt & lovable you cannot help falling hook line & sinker. So from punchy jangle pop to early Aztec Camera style poetic reflection onto cretinous lo-fi indie-punk & even a thunderous, distorted Fall/Buzzcocks/Siouxsie scree dedicated to The Fall's early keyboard torturer Una Baines! There's a cracking track called 'Herbert Huncle' - hear it sport this fizzing New York motorik cloak that beautifully apes the Velvets and other CBGBs era legends. But they've a very British sensibility all said - the co-singing lass has a really wonky, incredibly sad voice that really stabs your heart a little when she takes the lead spot on 'Ballad of a Frankie Machine'. I'm off to listen to that again right now! I'm chuffed to discover they've a real penchant for writing a brilliant tune for any mood but never being anything less than themselves so....fine time to hoover up some back catalogue on these pups....