Currently Kill Rock Stars’ band of the week, Comet Gain recently released a new full-length in the UK for the first time in six years, and the album, Howl of the Lonely Crowd, is officially reaching the States this fall on What’s Your Rupture?. Those who are new to Comet Gain may have lately found an entrance through Crystal Stilts, with whom they both toured and released a split 7-inch this year (there’s also the Comet/Stilts band collaboration, Cinema Red and Blue). Older fans, however, know that of the two, Comet Gain are the original purveyors of sweet, sloppy pop rock, and they have enthralled pop enthusiasts since their debut Casino Classics in 1995, which had — depending on the singer — alternate touches of twee and jangly power pop, with liner notes from Television Personalities’ Dan Treacy (which, yes, does say something). To quickly finish up the history lesson: Kill Rock Stars picked up the group in 1998 with Tigertown Pictures, also releasing the US version of City Fallen Leaves (2005, with Track & Field) and 2002’s Realistes (which included a particularly recognizable KRS thumbprint in the form of a guest appearance from Kathleen Hanna, going back to the riot grrrl roots everyone attributes to the group’s early years).
Though the new Comet Gain isn’t an official Kill Rock Stars release, KRS are so excited about the news that they’re selling the last three studio albums at bargain-bin prices. The vinyl version of Tigertown Pictures, for example, is running $3.99, which still includes the accompanying 7-inch in the deal (“Hate Soul” b/w “When You Come Back I’ll Feel Like Jesus Coming Off the Cross”). Check out more details for Howl of the Lonely Crowd at Fortuna POP!, which, as we said, has already released the album in the United Kingdom.
• Comet Gain: http://www.myspace.com/thecometgain
• Kill Rock Stars: http://www.killrockstars.com
• Fortuna POP!: http://www.fortunapop.com
