The Comas

Formed in Chapel Hill, N.C., and transplanted to New York City, the Comas’ fourth album walks the line between the out-and-out rock sensibilities of their current location and the indie rock that their hometown worships. For this album, they’ve moved from Yep Rock to Vagrant, and this may be their poppiest effort yet. Lead man Andrew Herod has a way with melody, particularly in the opening song “Red Microphones,” which is infectious and addictive in an upbeat, slightly discordant kind of way. The loud-rocking “Hannah T.” brings back the sci-fi imagery that fans loved on the Comas’ previous album, Conductor. But they quiet right down with lush, dreamy tracks such as “Thistledown,” made whole by the subtle harmonizing of guitarist/singer Nicole Gehweiler. The album never quite seems to find its own powerful personality, though, and the impression that’s left is slightly jumbled despite slick production. But it goes down easy nonetheless. 3 stars