Feeder - Comfort In Sound

I honestly don't know how Feeder released this album. It kind of boggles the mind. It's been fairly publicized that their drummer, Jon Lee, committed suicide in 2002. When a three-member band loses one of its founding members to suicide, it seems like it would be a rough climb back. Thats why it's very encouraging to see the band perservering on with its new release, Comfort In Sound. The only thing one can wonder is if the sympathy you feel regarding the suicide death of a member is enough to excuse a mediocre album? Wow, that last sentence seemed really insensitive, so let me explain myself. I like Feeder; they're a pretty decent post-grunge band. But, like quite a few modern rock bands, they don't seem to expand but instead use the same song writing formula and just keep releasing albums. I probably would've scored this one a few points lower, except this is now, essentially, a two member band bouncing back and releasing an album as a tribute to their friend and former band mate. There's some type of magic in that, like this belongs on VH1's Behind The Music. There is a bittersweet feeling that gives the album that type of magic; the song "Forget About Tomorrow" is a perfect example. Like a typical Feeder album there are those typical rock songs, like the awful, misplaced "Godzilla" and equally awful "Helium". The rest of the album is poignant and beautiful, and although sometimes repetitive and treading close to boring, it's not a bad effort. The especially beautiful closer, "Moonshine", ends the album on a good and final note. Yes, this new album is mediocre. It's entertaining and decent, but it's not something I would run out to buy. Add in the fact that it's meant as a beautiful tribute to a fallen band mate, it makes the disc worth at least one listen. [www.feederweb.com]