How Dare You

Comfort Road

[3.5/5]

How dare anyone try to tackle this type of anthemic/upbeat/melodic/gruff post-hardcore punk rock, considering Polar Bear Club already perfected it on last year’s Sometimes Things Just Disappear. All right, sorry, How Dare You-you make an admittedly enjoyable stab at it. If Comfort Road’s odd pop vibes could be attributed to anyone, try drummer Zach Swain-he handled skins on As Friends Rust’s sole LP, Won, and comparisons are warranted. More often than not, the melodic elements fit, though, and nowhere is it more effective and evident than the wonderful “Beacon St.” Though Comfort Road is far from perfect, the quiet reverb hints and careful moments of restraint strive for something much greater, hinting at a very bright future. (FAIL SAFE; failsafe-records.com) Brian Shultz