Like Comedy

The Proclaimers are positive people. Scottish brothers Craig and Charlie Reid wish everyone could see the world as they do: not as tragedy but \"like comedy,\" as both the album title and the lyrics to the title track suggest. Even when they address potential sadness with \"After You\'ve Gone,\" they turn lemons into lemonade and then some. This overwhelmingly positive state of mind might alienate those who believe in their right to mourn and reflect in their sorrows, but the infectious melodies of \"Women and Wine\" and the U.K. single \"Spinning Around in the Air\" make it nearly impossible to resist this positive pop for now people. There\'s said to be a musical based on The Proclaimers\' songs in the works, and one senses a touch of Broadway in the Queen-like \"The Thought of You\" and the slower-than-expected \"Dance with Me,\" where there will be no dancing. For that, you\'ll need the bouncy \"Wherever You Roam\" and \"There\'s.\" Decade after decade, the Reid brothers keep smiles on their faces and hope it transfers to their listeners.

To be fair, the brothers Reid have never pretended to be anything other than unabashed, heart-on-their-sleeves romantics, but Like Comedy pushes things so far to the sweet end of the confectionary spectrum that even longtime fans may need a salty digestif after devouring its 12 sugary, occasionally mawkish courses.

When you look at those two golden masks symbolizing the duality of ye old drama theatre, which one do you prefer to apply to your own life? Sure, when it...