The Comforts Of Madness (studio album) by Pale Saints

From teague 09/08/2021 00:25

Pale Saints cut the fat out of their songs on The Comforts of Madness, resulting in much shorter shoegaze songs. They still manage to be gratifying. I also noticed that this album is probably the most post-punk influence I've heard in an album of this sort yet. I'm excited to hear In Ribbons, because apparently it's quite the debate whether which one is superior.

From Brad1770 01/29/2020 00:01

For fans of this album (me !) you’ll be pleased to know a wonderful 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition has just been released January 2020

The new edition features the original album remastered as well as a suit of demo tracks from the original recording sessions amounting to another albums worth of material and a rare John Peel Radio live session recorded months before before the albums release

Great stuff

Note: the original “The Comforts of Madness” was 4AD’s first release in the 1990’s and so it is this reissue is 4AD’s first release in the new decade 2020’s. Nice symmetry

From Brad1770 04/18/2018 05:41

The Comfort Of Madness is THE definitive essential Pale Saints album , the band only released 3 albums and this one is the pick of them easily . On BEA "In Ribbons" is ranked the no 1 PS album and this is down right incorrect , this album is clearly their best

Opening 'Way the World Is' kicks things off in rollicking chaotic fashion , 'Sea of Sound' is dreamy and rather beautiful , 'True Coming Dream ' picks up the chaos once more before stripped back 'Little Hammer' gives the album a breather . Track 6 'Insubstantial' has wonderful quiet / load melody , 'Deep Sleep for Steven' strangely reappears having first been released on 1990's "Mrs Dolphin" , followed by the jangly pop of 'Language of Flowers' IMO the albums weakest moment . But all is not lost with a killer trifecta of tracks closing things out in 'Fell From the Sun' , 'Sight of You' ( making appearance number 3 having previously been on 1989's "Barging Into the Presence Of God' and 1990's "Mrs Dolphin") and finally the album highlight IMO the incredible 'Time Theif'

I love this band and I love this album , The Comfort Of Madness sits comfortably on my All-Time Favourite album list

Essential

80/100

From ButterThumbz 03/24/2014 16:46

One of the finest dream pop albums I think I've ever heard.

An album to drift away on. Beautiful sounds that make me dream!

Lord I miss this album, when I finally get round to converting my vinyl to mp3 this will be the main reason. Really surprised that In Ribbons ranks higher on BEA, this for me is their masterpiece. Listened to it recently on Spotify and Insubstantial and Sight of You still give me goosebumps.

From johnner 08/07/2012 22:44

Sorry, tonagamu, I disagree, the debut is far superior to In Ribbons. If you want to listen to the Pale Saints at the height of their powers you won't go wrong here. Far more darker and macabre than their peers, The Comforts of Madness includes notable highlights such as Sight of You, Sea of Sound, and A Deeper Sleep For Steven.

While I'm sure most critics and shoegazers would disagree, I think this album just pales (no pun intended) to the second album. That female singer really does add a lot to their overall sound.