Realistes

With his creative hands thus untied, Christian has been free to write some of the catchiest, sharpest tunes in Comet Gain's history. On "Realistes," the band's second album for Kill Rock Stars since the lineup shift, the collision of wintry distortion with keen melodic sensibilities brings to mind San Francisco's acclaimed The Aislers Set (who actually contribute handclaps here). Like all Comet Gain material, the album paints a visceral portrait of the London underground, as seen by such bittersweet veterans of the scene. "The Kids at the Club" kick-starts "Realistes" with a shot of youthful exuberance, recalling the social energy of early Bis singles. There is still a lot of unhappiness shot through the songs, though, as is clear in titles like "Why I Try to Look so Bad" and "Don't Fall in Love if You Want to Die in Peace."