A New Offering from the Quirky Cass McCombs

His new album offers an intriguing mix of buoyant power pop, rowdy punk-rock, and bluesy raveups.


The gifted Cass McCombs is often viewed as a modern example of the traditional singer-songwriter, but he’s also capable of heading off in plenty of other interesting directions when he thinks nobody’s paying close attention. Ranging from 2003 to 2014, the aptly named A Folk Set Apart: Rarities, B-Sides & Space Junk, Etc. collects stray 7″ singles, outtakes, and other marginalia that underscores his versatility with an intriguing mix of buoyant power pop, rowdy punk-rock, bluesy raveups, and even a whimsical guitar instrumental. Highlights include “Bradley Manning,” a brooding protest ballad, and the breathtaking dreamscape “Minimum Wage.” More than the throwaway it might seem at first, this is one of McCombs’ best albums, which is saying something.

Courtesy of Domino Records

 

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