Bring on the Comets
by VHS or Beta
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 3 out of 12
  1. Urb
    80
    The now-three-piece group proves they haven't lost their ability to blend superb pop hooks with dance beats. [Sep 2007, p.131]
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  2. Boston Globe
    80
    These are high-flying songs in search of a place to land, and the warmth and seeming innocence of Pfunder's voice combined with all the familiar electro-disco trappings make this a record worth hearing for anyone not ready to let the past go without a fight.
  3. Lost At Sea
    77
    The result is like if "Sam's Town" worked, without a sign of embarrassing wordplay, conceptual grandeur, or annoying moustaches. The words are blessedly innocuous, leaving the grandiosity to the sound alone.
  5. Under The Radar
    70
    VHS or Beta have hit a spot-on balance between danceable rock and infectious Top 40 formula. [Summer 2007, p.77]
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  6. Rolling Stone
    60
    Comets sounds best when Craig Pfunder trains his fake English accent on a chorus with a hot melody.
  7. Alternative Press
    50
    It's quite a bit slicker and sonically feels as if it could fill an arena--but lacks personality. [Oct 2007, p.172]
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  8. Prefix Magazine
    50
    Had there maybe been a more analytical approach to creating shamelessly tricked-out pop songs, maybe some of Brings on the Comets would sound more successful.
  9. Pitchfork
    46
    It was a mistake for VHS or Beta to subjugate their dance beat into a perfunctory structure for the guitars to smash against; the riffs sound like they're there for their own sake, biding their time and waiting for a moment of catchiness that never really arrives.
  10. Blender
    40
    Their third albums smells less of revivalist chic than tribute-band nostalgia. New wave knockoffs have rarely sounded so old.
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  11. The A.V. Club
    33
    VHS's tardy follow-up, Bring On The Comets, might as well have stayed in bed.
  12. Spin
    30
    Bring on the Comets is ultimately a bland regression. [Sep 2007, p.138]99
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  13. The Boston Phoenix
    12
    For the most part, singer-songwriter Craig Pfunder doesn't justify the presence of vocals and lyrics.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 28
  3. Negative: 10 out of 28
  1. JoeR
    Nov 11, 2007
    10
    Can't believe people are ripping on this album, either. It's great stuff- the songs are smartly played and catchy as all hell! Can't believe people are ripping on this album, either. It's great stuff- the songs are smartly played and catchy as all hell! I'd been aware of the band before, but never really checked them out until this album. After being completely engrossed by it, I went back and listened to their early work, and BRING ON THE COMETS far surpasses anything they did before. This one is easily in my Top 10 for the year.… Full Review »
  2. alexanderb.
    Nov 10, 2007
    1
    really disappointing, these guys were actually good a few years ago. i was hoping this album would justify my money, but sadly to say its terrible
  3. Margraf
    Oct 30, 2007
    8
    Maybe I'm not trendy, but this album rocks. They set out what they wanted to do - make a pop record. Referencing the past makes this a Maybe I'm not trendy, but this album rocks. They set out what they wanted to do - make a pop record. Referencing the past makes this a tad recycled, but funner than a bunch of other stuff out there. This is why I'm not a critic, but I LOVE this album!… Full Review »
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