Floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee, on his eighth album California singer-songwriter Cass McCombs cloaks his by turns provocative and intriguing lyrics in luxurious country-rock clothing. Run Sister Run skilfully skewers the misogyny of the US justice system, yet does so in a disarmingly upbeat, radio-friendly manner. The dreamlike Opposite House, meanwhile, finds McCombs woozily confused by unexpected changes to the geography of his home. Throughout, there’s a lushness to the songs, most notably on Low Flyin’ Bird, with its piano flourishes (even if at several points he seems to teeter on the brink of self-indulgent jamming). Indeed, this is one of those rare albums that reveals a little more with every play.
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Phil Mongredien
Phil Mongredien works on the Guardian's opinion desk. He also reviews albums for Q magazine
Phil Mongredien
The GuardianTramp
