Goated & Foreboded listens like something Harry Nilsson would’ve written if he had joined Weezer for the Blue Album sessions. Equal parts provocative and digestible, the album meanders seamlessly from beachy easy-listening (“Wait”) to sludgy garage rock (“Spark”). The range is especially impressive because nothing sounds out of place; chaotic and discordant moments cozy right up to the heartfelt power pop jangle of songs like “Tired and Troubled” and hooky lead single “Bangin’ on the Ceiling,” and it all works surprisingly well.

Continuing the DIY ethos of many of Comfy’s past releases, Goated forgoes the luxuries of a dedicated studio for the freedoms (and, in a way, limitations) of home recording. This isn’t readily evident from the production value though; the album’s layers are lush and polished without sacrificing an ounce of Comfy’s trademark fuzz. The album’s eight-minute closer, “Awake & Living,” testifies with its towering wall of sound–each explosive layer is fully discernable with not so much as a feedback squeal lost in the mix.

In essence, Goated & Foreboded doesn’t leave anyone feeling left out. It unites casual listeners, headbangers, groove hounds, balladeers, surf rockers and everyone in between. Rock and roll that gets the listener moving has always been Comfy’s true north (go and catch a live show and try and tell me otherwise), but this particular batch of tunes really explores the limits of what good garage pop can be, and that exploration has paid off triumphantly.

Goated & Foreboded is now streaming on all major platforms. Physical media and merchandise can be found here.

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Tonight’s show is at Milkie’s. The show is at 7pm, costs $7, and is 21+.

The post Tonight: Comfy first appeared on buffaBLOG.

The hype that has waxed during the four years since Comfy’s debut Pillowhugger is not without warrant–not only is the album a local slam-dunk, but it picked up a bit of national attention when Rolling Stone (yeah, that Rolling Stone) named Pillowhugger one of the top 10 cassettes of 2014. All hype aside, Thanks For The Ride delivers on multiple fronts. While the album follows in the footsteps of its predecessor with a sound that is unabashedly loud, catchy, and influentially diverse, Benincasa seems to have honed some of his recording techniques since those endearing basement days of Pillowhugger. TFTR gleams with a fresh sonic finish not often found on self-recordings, thankfully without sacking any of that trademark Comfy crunch.

Opening track “Garment” wastes no time introducing some of the album’s best bits, hopping seamlessly from mild-mannered verses and cheeky lyricism to no-holds-barred breakdowns and searing guitar leads akin to rock-opera vanguards Queen. “Honest” hoists itself as an easy contender for lead single, marrying sing-along melodies and a devilishly-catchy panflute hook with a chorus that delivers a healthy portion of the feels. Fans of Comfy’s 2015 split with Rochester indie-pop darlings Skirts will be loving on “Heart of Hearts,” a glittering, dance-able number which nods to The Beach Boys in spirit, but ends with some serious heat.

Other highlights include the punk rock sprint of “Ketchup,” the do-wop nostalgia of “The Spectre,” and hopeful album clincher “Sum of Parts,” which lyrically pairs very well with the album’s artwork by Nick Meyers, depicting a dark forest patch converging on nearly all sides–”do you wonder what to do with the hours spent in your room? // have you put some time and thought into the dread impending doom? ”

Thanks For The Ride is as genuine as they come, and harbors a little something for the head bangers, the butt shakers, and everyone in between. While the album’s title seems to suggest Comfy’s last effort, after one listen-through its safe to assume that this band is just getting started. Listen to “Honest” below and then skip over to Comfy’s bandcamp page where five bucks buys you the full album on either cassette or CD, both including a digital download.

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The show begins at 8pm (21 and up only please), and while the Facebook event lists no cover charge, it’d be a good idea to bring some cash for either a surprise cover (worth it), or some bomb merch.

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Support tonight comes from Modest Mousy newcomers Passed Out, Sonny Baker’s solo project, and the Geneseo-based Comfy contemporaries in Soft Cough. Doors are at 9pm, music starts at 10pm. Bring $5 and be sure to tip your bartender.

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I saw Comfy, a lo-fi garage pop band out of Utica, for the first time at Nietzsche’s not too long ago. Their live performance involved swaddling a fake baby fashioned from a blanket full of red string and disassembling it in a frenzied manner (the fake baby was later revealed to be some sort of electric steel lap guitar, if my memory serves me correctly). You can hear this willful chaos in Comfy’s recorded music as well, and that’s the beauty of it. It’s a thrashy, feel-good mess that can make your heart pang even if you’re not heartbroken or longing for anything in the slightest.

I have yet to have the pleasure of seeing Skirts live, but I’m consistently impressed with their music. This Rochester group tastefully experiments with male/female harmonies and unique guitar tones and riffs (listen to “Fort Kochi” for a great example of this). At times, I’m reminded of early Vampire Weekend, with their punctuated rhythms, graceful melody lines, and the propellant upbeat nature of each song.

To say the least, this is probably one of my favorite (semi) local splits of the summer. It’s a well coordinated, must-listen-to-in-its-entirety type of release and it’s a solid testament to what each band’s music scene has to offer.

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1809 Sessions is a recurring video series filmed at 1809 Studios in Macedon, NY that has recorded live sessions for a variety of Rochester and touring bands. With the popularity of visuals in the music realm rising, tons of bands are filming live sessions these days. That being said, not every band’s energy translates well through video, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem in the slightest with Skirts.

The band has plans to release a split EP with garage-pop band Comfy from Utica through Miscreant and Dadstache Records. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for that in early August. In the meantime, check out the other 1809 sessions on Youtube. They’re all very worth the watch!

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Rochester garage-pop darlings, Skirts, have just dropped their first track from their upcoming split with Utica-based Comfy (that’s all of them in the photo being friendly), the tape slated for release later this summer on Miscreant/Dadstache. The song, titled “Indian Premier League,” does not disappoint, channeling an upbeat island sound similar to something you might hear from Cults or a chilled-out Vampire Weekend. The progression is fun and catchy, percussion is flavorful, and the vocal harmonies are sweeter than sugarcane. A perfect addition to Rochester’s already hot 2015. The rest of the split drops in early August, so keep an ear out for that. Until then, have your fill of “Indian Premier League,” streaming below.

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With Cap’n Jazz like vocals and a touch of Tim Kinsella-esque depression, “Poetic” is a perfect little morsel of the Comfy world, one that appears to be changing a bit as the group goes through some line-up changes (drummer Zeno Pittarelli is exiting the group this summer).

You can now pre-order the record over at Miscreant’s bandcamp page for the very fair price of $5. In the mean time, listen to “Poetic” below.

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All week long, we have been spotlighting all of our birthday acts, a mix of both seasoned acts and fresh to the scene bands. In case you missed any, now is the time to catch up:

Zak Ward

M.A.G.S.

Difficult Night

Comfy

Applennium

Wooden Waves

Music kicks off at 10pm sharp with a cover of $7. Thanks in advance for all of the support over years. We hope to see you all tonight.

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