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Comber/"Comber"
Given that the latest crop of Smashing Pumpkins was less than smashing, leave it to the kids who were influenced by them to remind them of the oomph they once had. While I don’t think Comber have the mainstream crossover appeal of prime Pumpkins yet (they might not even be aiming for that at this point), this self-titled album rocks with a youthful energy and brass-knuckle punch in the guts that Billy Corgan has temporarily lost. “The Shame” and “Perceive” blast through the walls with an army of iron-clad riffs; waves of fuzzy, crunchy guitars roar through the mix. However, it isn’t just white noise; this is melodic alternative rock as well. Like the best modern-rock outfits of the early to mid-’90s, Comber are able to soften the blows when the song calls for it, employing loud/soft dynamics on “Right or Wrong” and “Struck By All.” One of the decidedly mellow tunes on the CD, “Rip Tide,” is actually reminiscent of the nearly-forgotten Seattle grunge super-band Mad Season with its rain-soaked moodiness.
Reviewed by Kit Burns - Overground Underground CD Reviews
Comber/"Comber"
Just when you think the future of alternative music is uncertain arrives a band like Comber to remind you what attracted you to the genre in the first place. Those who were raised on modern-rock radio after the post-Nirvana revolution will recognize the familiar elements of Comber: the Billy Corgan-esque sonic peels on “The Shame”; the Pixies-worshipping loud/soft menu in “Struck By All”; and the Alice in Chains darkness of “Rip Tide.” If I was to compare Comber with any group, it’d probably be the band Hum, who took the Smashing Pumpkins’ arena-filling riffs and gave it a more transcendent rush.
However, the readers of Metal Wasteland will just want to know one thing: Does it rock? Indeed it does, especially the flamethrower guitars of “Candor & Pragmatism” and the breathless pulse of “Turning Point,” wherein the group sounds like they’re about to blow up. I’ll pitch this to the more intellectual crew as this is not mindless noise. Comber is rock with a brain - and balls.
Rating: 9/10
Reviewed by James Wall
- Metal Wasteland Reviews
Discography
"Comber" (LP) - released 8/14/07
-Airplay-
9/07 - "Right or Wrong" begins receiving regular rotation on UK-based internet radio station Radio Gets Wild. Shortly after, the album is awarded the "Gold Artist Award" by the station.
11/07 - "Struck By All" begins receiving regular rotation on Woozy Internet Radio.
Comber has secured airplay on the following US radio stations:
KAOS 89.3FM Olympia, WA KSER 90.7FM Everett, WA
KMUD 91.1FM Redway, CA KUYI 88.1FM Keams Canyon, AZ
KXCI 91.3FM Tucson, AZ KABF 88.3FM Little Rock, AR
KPFK 90.7FM Los Angeles, CA KVMR 89.5FM Nevada City, CA
KSDS 88.3FM San Diego, CA KWMR 90.5FM Point Reyes, CA
KZSC 88.1FM Santa Cruz, CA KSUT FM Colorado to New Mexico
KBUT 90.3FM Crested Butte, CO KDNK FM in Colorado
WKZE 98.1FM Red Hook, NY WWUH 91.3FM West Hartford, CT
KBSU FM in Boise, ID WLUW 88.7FM Chicago, IL
WECI 91.5FM Richmond, IN KDHX 88.1FM St. Louis, MO
WDVR 89.7FM Sergeantsville, NJ WFMU 91.1FM Jersey City, NJ
WBZC 88.9FM Pemberton, NJ WNCW 88.7FM Spindale, NC
WAIF 88.3FM Cincinnati, OH WCBE 90.5FM Columbus, OH
WRFR 93.3FM Rockland, ME KTSU 90.9FM Houston, TX
WKVS 103.3FM Lenoir, NC WGWG 88.3FM Boiling Springs, NC
Photos
Bio
Dispelling the mundane formula of modern cliche that clutters the road of contemporary rock, Comber pounds its own path of hard-hitting alternative. Angelic melodies disguise themselves among dense layers of fuzzy riffs and crushing rhythm guitars; only to be suddenly contrasted by lush passages of clean when you least expect it. Nailed down by a rhythm section that shares the same boundless dynamic range and sewn together by an intricate brand of songwriting that ties numerous musical genres to a common thread, Comber paints an unforgettable picture of integrity in today's alt-rock scene.
After being conceptualized in 2006, Comber spent an ambitious 16 months creating their full-length debut which was released on 8/14/07. The album quickly garnered acclaim in the U.S. and Europe, receiving awards and highly positive critical reception shortly after its release. Comber's distinct style is often compared by critics and fans alike to alt-rock powerhouses such as Smashing Pumpkins, Hum, and Mad Season.
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