Comet Gain went back to the garage for their DIY album Réalistes in 2002, with this big dirty ballad one of its highlights.

This comes from an album that’s been lurking dustily in the depths of my vinyl LP collection for more than 20 years. I’d forgotten how much I like it.

Comet Gain formed in London back in 1992, aiming to blend French New Wave with an English kitchen-sink heart, Riot Grrrl with acid punk, and C86 with post-punk and Northern Soul.

They’re one of those bands whose records – about a dozen to date, plus countless EPs and singles – all sound different from one another while still sounding essentially like no one but them.

They’ve got a new one out now but it’s a little clean-sounding for my taste; straying a little far from their DIY roots. So I went back to what is probably their most DIY one of all.

Realistes came out in 2002 and has a kind of scuffed-up lo-fi garage sound, ranging from punky rockers to lurching ballads with a big heart, like this one, Why I Try To Look So Bad.

A big heart and a lyric you won’t forget in a hurry: “I’ll cut your face with a razor blade” sings Rachel Green, ramping up the Stooges vibe: “My pretty face is going straight to hell.”

Then, as the guitars jangle and clang: “And I try to look so bad / They try to check my social worth / Those fascist dogs / Please get them away from me.”

You don’t get lyrics like that with Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran