The Big Bang

Entering Comets on Fire's blazing parallel universes

A A A Comments By Brian J. Barr and Jennifer Maerz and Mike Rowell Wednesday, May 31 2006

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Paul Trapani

Old soul Ethan Miller of Howlin' Rain.

Paul Trapani

Colossal Yes man Utrillo Kushner and his ivory friend.

Details

Howlin' Rain performs Thursday, June 1, at Amoeba at 6 p.m. (free) and on Saturday, June 3, at the Hemlock Tavern at 10 p.m. Admission is $8; call 923-0923 or visit www.hemlocktavern.com for more info.

Colossal Yes performs Sunday, June 11, at Fernwood Resort in Big Sur as part of the "Three Days of Summer" festival. Admission is $50 for all three days; call (831) 667-2422 or visit www.fernwoodbigsur.com for more info.

Six Organs of Admittance's new album, The Sun Awakens, is out June 13.

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The exact effects of that equilibrium on the upcoming Comets album is something fans have to wait until its August 8 release to decipher. But an early press copy of Avatarreveals that affairs with outside projects have brought the Comets back together sounding even more in tune with one another. Miller's vocals break through the fray more often, Kushner's piano parts give the music increased emotional complexity, and Miller and Chasny's guitar arrangements are as arresting as always. All said, Avataris probably the band's most captivating release yet. If there ever were a case to make for straying to make the heart grow stronger, these impressive talents have a secret to success locked into their fabric. — J.M.