The Comfies - Close To Me

Genre rock Publisher Livewire Recordings External Links Official The Comfies Website Official Livewire Recordings Website

My friends and I recently discussed something new in life: the soul hangover. It's not as common as a bodily hangover featuring chills, sweats, heaves and groans. The rare but potent soul hangover is a different beast altogether, a numbing mix of complete exhaustion and letdown from the end of a good weekend.

Unfortunately, it cannot be cured by listening to The Comfies' new EP, Close To Me. The poppy, tightly arranged musical numbers beat on my brain as I try to shake away minor confusion. Who made these calls? What happened to my hat? Where's my money? The Comfies, try as they might, don't answer these searing questions. I hear the syncopated guitar rock of tracks like "That's What She Gets," and the bright balladry of "In My Room" and yet...the sun still shines a dull gray. Again, I find myself mindlessly cleaning my apartment to keep the old psyche occupied, unable to amplify their bright music through the pointless din clouding my ears or the incumbent thoughts of work tomorrow.

But on a second listen it's not all bad. In fact, the quartet's melodies are playful and bouncy and all seven of their tunes compliment each other comfortably. Later, when the thought of alcohol and the malignant odor of cigarettes wafting from my socks on the floor failed to make my spirits recoil (I don't smoke, but the rest of Chicago seems to), the slightly Spoon-esque sound of The Comfies helped me keep my identity grounded in positive reality - or at least distract me until dinner. My weekend is over, Sunday was super boring but hell...life is still good. Thanks fellows, but next Sunday its back to Coltrane, Water and Skate-videos for my early morning soul therapy.