Album review: Little Comets 'In Search Of Elusive Little Comets'

After orbiting and gaining momentum for a couple of years, Little Comets have decided to finally strike with their debut album In Search Of Elusive Little Comets. These four northern lads have come a long way from the days when they used to do impromptu gigs in the aisles of high street shops; several singles, copious amounts of touring and some strong radio play later have culminated in this release. Those who have followed the band from the very beginning will undoubtedly be able to hear the progression they have gone through before the tracks on this LP were even laid down.

With their jovial guitar-pop and witty lyrical angle on various issues, Little Comets were one of those bands you weren’t quite sure if you should be taking seriously or not, and opening track ‘Adultery’ objectifies the case in point perfectly. Hidden behind the buoyant guitar plucks and lead singer Robert Coles’ spirited staccato vocals lies a message about the destruction of cheating and the path of discontent that leads there. Luckily, the album as a whole does not act as a method for the band to preach their moral beliefs.

Debut single ‘One Night In October’ back in 2009 featured punchy percussion and shouty vocals in such abundance that The Futureheads should have been worried. Focusing on an argument between a couple, the lyrics and instrumentals were juxtaposed in such a blatant way as also demonstrated in ‘Adultery’ that it seemed to be a style they could easily have found themselves accidentally defined by. Fast-forward two years and what we are presented with is a far more mature package, almost splitting the record into two. Last single ‘Isles’ moves away from the age-old topics of love and heartbreak to focus on the current discontent experienced in Britain, whilst upcoming release ‘Joanna’ sees the familiar animated percussion abolished in favour for a slower, more lamentable ambience.

As much as it could be argued that the album is fairly divided, it serves the band well to display these two different sides to their musical persona. Too serious and they stand the chance of falling into the trap of pretension; too jolly and they could end up being considered inconsequential. With enough talent and exertion to make it to that dreaded second album, they’ve simply got to ensure they don’t burn out too quickly.

This review was originally published on www.culturedeluxe.com

Gig review - HMV Next Big Thing: Little Comets, Goldhawks, Mirrors

With so many great new bands appearing on the musical radar on a daily basis, it's sometimes hard to keep track of them all or at least get to go and see a large proportion of them performing live. So when HMV announced a series of gigs whereby three new bands each night were showcased over a two week period for the ridiculously cheap price of £10 a ticket, it almost seemed too good to be true. Unsurprisingly still not being able to afford all of the shows, I chose a couple to go to, the first being the night headlined by Little Comets at the Borderline.

Kicking off proceedings was oh-so-serious Brighton band Mirrors, whose sound and general on-stage persona is just as sharp and snappy as their name reflects (pun intended). Furtively describing themselves as 'pop-noir', they closely resemble a super-synthesized take on Joy Division; imagine an electro White Lies and you're at about the right ball park. Not that this is a bad thing; the music is undeniably catchy and despite first appearances they don't rely on gimmicky lyrics or marketing ploys to sustain attention - which is more than some up and coming bands can boast nowadays.

Second on were Goldhawks, a West London quintet who have been causing quite the stir of late and are currently on tour supporting The Courteeners. Already garnering comparisons to American romanticist Bruce Springsteen and fellow heavyweights Echo and the Bunnymen and U2, I shall freely admit that my expectations for these guys were high. Unfortunately, I was left feeling slightly underwhelmed by their overall performance. Their music is incredibly anthemic with guitar riffs and tinkling piano notes building into tumbling crescendos, and on record their sound is impressive and commanding. Yet playing live they seemed unable to transfer this energy that would have packed the punch to make me really want to sit up and listen. Instead, I was left lolling over the sofa at the back of the venue listening to them as if they were background music in a pub.

Rounding out the night were Geordies Little Comets, who brought to the stage a candid northern affability that hasn't been seen in London since the Arctic Monkeys spread their musical wings back in 2005. The band refreshingly proved that they are not about to let any current media hype about themselves go to their heads as they strung up their percussion instruments on a washing line over their heads, and dared to go on stage wearing a dubious combination of stage outfits that between them included a retro style jumper, a lycra Adidas top, trousers tucked into sports socks and a wooly hat. Managing to charm the audience with sheer conviviality of nature and banter before even picking up an instrument is never a bad way to start and the Comets certainly had this sorted. Musically, they possess and radiate a tremendous energy that had everyone dancing within thirty seconds of them stepping onto the stage and launching into debut single 'One Night in October'. Their pop induced riffs and percussion combinations teamed with lead singer Robert's erratically blurted lyrics are distinguished and unforgetable to say the least. Add this to the repetitive nature of their choruses and melodies, and this makes them the kind of band who you can listen to once and easily be able to sing along to, which is markedly part of their appeal. Touted for big things in 2010, it will be the compelling energy and approachability of both their sound and their personalities that hurtles them towards the big league before long.

www.myspace.com/mirrorsmirrorsmirrors
www.myspace.com/goldhawks
www.myspace.com/littlecometsmusic

Band To Watch: Little Comets

It's not many bands that can say they made a name for themselves by performing impromptu mini gigs in university lectures or shopping centres, but it's certainly worked a treat for this jovial indie pop Geordie quartet.

Describing their music as 'something that has no concept of stealth', they seem to have hit the proverbial nail right on the head. Blasting you like a quick flame of indefatigable energy, the sound these boys produce along with the speed at which they've risen to success is ironically resonant of their galactic name.

However, some hefty championing from Radio 1 heavyweights such as Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens never did anyone any harm and as a result their debut single, 'One Night in October' impressively charted at number 3 in the UK Indie sales charts. Their songs are the epitome of catchy, with short verses and repetitive choruses teamed with snippy guitar riffs and recurrent flutters of percussion. Once the lyrics are going round your head you have one hell of a time getting them out and this will most certainly aid them on their path to success; after all, nobody remembers bands who sing forgettable songs.

Despite being hotly tipped for 2010 by all the important people and touted as a band not to miss live, Little Comets have certainly not forgotten their roots. Only a couple of months ago before they embarked on a nationwide tour, security guards were thrown into a frenzy as the band decided to rock out in the middle of Marks and Spencer in Newcastle city centre. Whether you think it ludicrous or impressive, you have to admire a band that continue to put in efforts such as these even after being signed to a major record label. With their debut EP on Columbia Records, 'Adultery' garnering honorable reviews upon it's recent release, it's safe to say that you'll need to check them out at your local Boots store sharpish; because it won't be long until they move on to much bigger and better venues.

www.littlecomets.com
www.myspace.com/littlecometsmusic