All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Alternative Press

Avatar is further proof that Comets On Fire are one of the most relevant bands of this decade. [Sep 2006, p.214]

Filter

There is an unhinged, maniacal desire to cross on over into the cosmos on Comets on Fire's (frankly) totally awesome new record. [#21, p.100]

Drowned In Sound

Avatar may not be as intense or as out-of-loop as expected, but its otherworldy mix of prog-rock and freeform more than lives up to the expectations formed in the wake of 2004's Blue Cathedral.

Read Full Review >

Dusted Magazine

Their most accomplished and astounding album to date.

Read Full Review >

Austin Chronicle

Solid and gaseous, dark and light in all the right places, this is the Comets' brightest so far.

Read Full Review >

The Guardian

If you're after an alternative summer soundtrack, this is it.

Read Full Review >

Urb

Freedom rock at its most liberating. [Jul/Aug 2006, p.116]

Blender

If their ultraviolet jams can sometimes get lost in the gaze, here they're balanced with more crisp songcraft. [Aug 2006, p.107]

Playlouder

Even if you only have a passing interest in 70s heavy rock this album is nigh on essential.

Read Full Review >

Tiny Mix Tapes

If there's anything to lament about Avatar, it's that its moves towards accessibility, narrative, and more diverse pastures probably won't help to broaden Comets' fanbase.

Read Full Review >

Uncut

Avatar... feels like the work of a band bursting with ideas, and with the confidence to realise them. [Sep 2006, p.96]

All Music Guide

More often than not, Avatar is stunningly beautiful, even if the definition of that word needs to expand a bit to embrace it.

Read Full Review >

Under The Radar

Comets on Fire have continued to deliver the expected attack, but have tempered their forcefulness just enough to make Avatar their most accessible work to date. [Summer 2006]

Dot Music

Overall, it's less chaotic and noisily rampant, the Comets' awesome creative fury now channelled into structures more obviously resembling tunes.

Read Full Review >

Prefix Magazine

Comets on Fire is the band Wolfmother wishes it had the balls to be.

Read Full Review >

Q Magazine

It's fantastic stuff. [Sep 2006, p.107]

PopMatters

Avatar is truly an exceptional record.

Read Full Review >

Mojo

A diverse yet flawless disc. [Sep 2006, p.96]

cokemachineglow

Ultimately, Avatar’s change in direction is hardly an unpleasant one, partially because it’s really fun to lip synch “Let it burn / Let it bleed!” while playing the air guitar on your knees, but mostly because it still rocks frighteningly hard.

Read Full Review >

Pitchfork

Just like last time around, Avatar is something for the plebes, the purists, the dabblers, and the old heads all at once-- a crossover in the best sense of the word.

Read Full Review >

Stylus Magazine

Avatar shows Comets capable of a level of sophistication and skill previously unconsidered.

Read Full Review >

Slant Magazine

The one knock against Avatar is that it includes just seven songs, six of which amble well past the six-minute mark, making the album seem bloated.

Read Full Review >

Spin

Infinite, often chaotic, near-instrumental psych-prog-punk-metal grooves rich with fine-ground detail. [Sep 2006, p.100]

Village Voice

In terms of sheer intensity of sound, it's as if the Comets of old have been miniaturized and are looking up at you from inside a Grateful Dead lunch box.

Read Full Review >

The Phoenix

The murky production seems lazy rather than artful; the hard-rock riffs don’t kick as hard as they’re meant to.

Read Full Review >

Delusions of Adequacy

Yeah, they're good at what they do, but what they do is just not that palatable.

Read Full Review >

NOW Magazine

Instead of knocking out another wall-shaking psych rock blast... Avatar comes off like a series of sedate recital pieces performed from sheet music while seated in the round.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 9 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Kevin M gave it an8:
Rockin' stuff

Alex B gave it a9:
This album is only subdued in comparison to Comets on Fire's previous work, Blue Cathedral, but Avatar still rocks hard on many of the tracks. However, the focus on keyboard-centered pieces and the move away from noise-rock stylings means this album is a little more casual but in no way is it a sellout. The Comets continue to make uniquely psychedelic indie rock.

petey gave it a5:
it's poo. a declining set of returns from the comets since 'field recordings.' unfortunate!

Goat gave it a10:
Mind blowingly amazing. One foot in the past and one foot in the future and boots high in lysergics. Best tasted through a haze of smoke.

Zachary Ruby gave it a10:
Blisteringly rad. My old friends have really gotten good.

Ben S gave it a10:
Awesome...

Music

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Avatar

Album Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases