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Originally conceived in 1998 as an alt. country band, The Comas obviously shared no real interest in the genre, even though, on their second album A Def Needle In Tomorrow, the band chose Brian Paulson, ironically best known for this work with Uncle Tupelo and subsequently both Son Volt and Wilco, to be its producer. Singer-songwriter, Andrew Herod's often leisurely paced songs are densely layered, melodic and diverse, but a million miles from the No Depression movement which originally motivated the band to start playing together. Benefiting further from the vocals and violin of bass player, Margaret White, The Comas also have the additional asset of drummer, John Harrison who contributes interesting samples and his turntable skills to several tracks on the album. This dreamy, inventive and occasionally noisy album should be of interest to anyone excited by the musical eclecticism of either Sparklehorse or Yo La Tengo and contrary to what the name may imply, A Def Needle In Tomorrow is a stimulating listen.

Geraint Jones
CWAS #7 - Spring 2001

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