Dropping the Writ

Cass McCombs

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 9, 2007)
• Original Release Date: January 28, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Domino
• ASIN: B000VFGQBQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,144 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Armed with a deep fount of Catholic lyrical references and a falsetto that could charm the chastity belt off of a 19th-century Puritan, Cass McCombs sculpts a cozy little niche among the fickle crevasses of contemporary Americana. Though the ceaseless pounding of opener "Lionkiller" suggests a plate of bona fide rockers to follow, softer, more cascading helpings of McCombs' songwriting repertoire prevail, refining the signature melodies developed on previous CDs PREfection and A. The result is a fine, sonic demi-glace, best encapsulated by lead single "That's That." By the time the song closes in blossoming layers of vocal and guitar harmonies, the song has focused everything McCombs does best: flaunting his knack for pictorial storytelling, lush vocal timbres, and the compelling gravity of a good mid-tempo groove. The second half of the album resides largely in a fantasy realm of drowsy elegance. Sounding like a perfectionist Donovan lost in A Midsummer Night's Dream, McCombs' campfire balladry ("Full Moon or Infinity"), percussive breathing ("Deseret"), and love of cavernous reverb ("Windfall") culminate in an almost overwrought beauty that defies listeners not to lose their bearings in its relentless caress. --Jason Kirk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great album - among very best of the year. , December 6, 2007

By	TJ Johnston (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

An acquaintance tipped me off to this album...I'm so glad I took his advice!

I liked stuff I heard previously by him, but, was floored by how far Cass has come with "Dropping The Writ". The production here seems to suit his songs, feels just right. His singing is phenomenal, and his charming, verging-on-over-the-top vocal moments, which make me smile even after repeated listens, are still included -- most notably in "That's That", the single.

I have been listening to "Dropping The Writ" constantly for the last couple of weeks, and, though I have also bought other music, I find myself repeatedly returning to this album.

This album runs the gamut from more rockish fare ("Lionkiller" and "That's That") to more introspective, acoustic-based songs like "Morning Shadows" and "Pregnant Pause" and in between.

There is such personality to "Dropping The Writ" and the songs are
great,lyrics are so good, band sounds amazing...and the singing, as I said, is...transcendent!

4.0 out of 5 stars A winner, November 23, 2008

By	Dr. Jeremy D. Gale (UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A rare combination, a record that is a slow burner but one that also makes an impact on first listening. Beautiful and at times haunting, but thoughtful and occasionally melancholy. McCombs light, falsetto vocals work very well with the lilting melodies. Take a chance and you won't be disappointed. A winner.

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful album, February 1, 2008

By	Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Let me state upfront that I was not familiar with Cass McComb until recently. He opened for Band of Horses at a show I was recently at (more on that later) and I really was taken by what I heard, so I purchased this album, his third.

"Dropping the Wit" (11 tracks including a 'hidden' track, 53 min.) starts of with a hard charging "Lionkiller", which is followed immediately by a gentle "Pregnant Pause", which in turn is followed by one of the best tracks of the album, the radio single "That's That", with a strong bass riff driving the song. "Crick In My Neck" is in the same vein, and just as great. "Windfall" is a beautiful introspective accoustic track. For whatever reason, the 'hidden' track "Healing" comes on about 4 min. after "Wheel of Fortune", even though the lyrics of it are printed in the booklet.

Back to the show... I was absolutely enthralled by the performace Cass McComb and his band the Middle Class put on. Their set was great, and truth be told, they played a lot of the songs from this album and live those tracks sounded ever better than on this album.