It's shocking to me how few charts Cass McCombs last record appears on. I strongly believe McCombs is one of the premiere songwriting talents of the 21st century. Big Wheel runs long but it's a phenomenal release
I have to say, I liked this album, but I thought it was a bit bloated. Cass is a fantastic songwriter though and I've always felt he was a bit underrated. Do you like Big Wheel better than Wit's End? _________________ Progressive Rock
I have to say, I liked this album, but I thought it was a bit bloated. Cass is a fantastic songwriter though and I've always felt he was a bit underrated. Do you like Big Wheel better than Wit's End?
Catacombs is my favorite by Cass. Wit's End, Humor Risk and Big Wheel are pretty close for me. I definitely appreciate the brevity of Wit's End and Humor Risk but Big Wheel is still really loaded with great songs even if it runs a bit long and has those tracks with the kid _________________ http://jonnyleather.com
RockyRaccoonIs it solipsistic in here or is it just me?ModeratorProfile Maryland
I have to say, I liked this album, but I thought it was a bit bloated. Cass is a fantastic songwriter though and I've always felt he was a bit underrated. Do you like Big Wheel better than Wit's End?
Catacombs is my favorite by Cass. Wit's End, Humor Risk and Big Wheel are pretty close for me. I definitely appreciate the brevity of Wit's End and Humor Risk but Big Wheel is still really loaded with great songs even if it runs a bit long and has those tracks with the kid
I would agree, Big Wheel is still a good album. I think it could've been a great album with a little self-censorship. "Brighter" is likely my favorite Cass song though, either that or "Memory's Stain", but probably "Brighter". _________________ Progressive Rock
I would agree, Big Wheel is still a good album. I think it could've been a great album with a little self-censorship. "Brighter" is likely my favorite Cass song though, either that or "Memory's Stain", but probably "Brighter".
Brighter is a goddamn masterpiece. both versions.
Have you ever heard Sacred Heart (from the album PREfection). I've been pretty obsessed with that song for months. Definitely one of his best. _________________ http://jonnyleather.com
RockyRaccoonIs it solipsistic in here or is it just me?ModeratorProfile Maryland
I would agree, Big Wheel is still a good album. I think it could've been a great album with a little self-censorship. "Brighter" is likely my favorite Cass song though, either that or "Memory's Stain", but probably "Brighter".
Brighter is a goddamn masterpiece. both versions.
Have you ever heard Sacred Heart (from the album PREfection). I've been pretty obsessed with that song for months. Definitely one of his best.
I haven't, I'll have to check it out _________________ Progressive Rock
Just finally getting around to this. Goddamn. This might be just as good or even better than Perfect Hair. I'm not huge into hip hop, but this exactly the kind of rap I want to hear. Will definitely end up high on the next update of my 2015 chart _________________ http://jonnyleather.com
meccaleccaVoice of ReasonProfile The Land of Enchantment
When I arrived home from the show, the dog that my wife and I had adopted that afternoon lunged aggressively in my direction with teeth showing—a terrifying experience accentuated by a threatening bark. Clearly my aura had changed within the few hours that had passed.
I have to accept the blame. I arrived at the concert venue under the shade of a dark, ominous cloud. The same shadows had been plaguing me for days. They loomed heavily, weighing upon every experience in which only few things could absorb and overcome this rather unfortunate disposition. This was the challenge for the two bands playing this night. They were being given the Sisyphean task of not only pleasing a music snob, but one protected from fun by a barricade of melancholy. It wasn’t as though the goal of being there was to be let down. It was rather the polar opposite, but this was quite a lot to ask of any artist let alone those which had never totally won me over in the past. And yet I was just one person in the room of many. Each of us supplying our own set of variables of which these bands were indirectly up against while attempting to win over the crowd.
The bulk of the mostly young audience seemed mildly pleased while a few others appeared overjoyed. Heads bopped slowly. Bodies swayed. I stood motionless. Paralyzed. Why was I there? What did I think was gong to happen? Was this band really as dull as I was perceiving them to be? Did they really sound like the lame indie rock equivalent to Jimmy Buffett? These were beachy songs being played after dark in a nightclub in a landlocked desert. Maybe this was just not the right context. Others in the room didn’t appear to be having the same internal dialogue, so who was really the one at fault? For all of the expectations we place on performers, what should be expected in return from the audience? Surely whatever it was, I was not living up to those expectations. So who am I to say that this band wasn’t any good?
Here in lies one of the many complications within the world of criticism which goes beyond the issue of subjectivity. The experience of any work of art relies heavily on a complicated set of variables that not only changes from person to person but also arbitrarily amongst each person.
I could go ahead and tell you that this mildly successful indie band on a respectable label came across to me as horribly dull and uninspired. I could go on to say that the once heavily hyped headliner lacked the polish and chops of a band who’s toured extensively, and their singer was terribly off key, but would this be at all fair without the prior context given? And given this context, would it still be unfair?
I was there because in this small city, where options are limited, I’ve learned to embrace the opportunities that are given. Unlike my previous home where bands of this stature are playing all over town every night, here it’s a rarity. As someone who hopes to see it happen more, it’s incredibly important to show up and add a body to the room so that the venues continue to make an effort.
I’ve decided to omit details of who played and where because as much as this is a result of the specific experience, the purpose of what I’ve written is not at all about insulting the work of a few musicians who are likely barely scraping by. The purpose is to elaborate on the idea of the subjective experience of art and the multitude of indirect factors that often lead to dissatisfaction. It doesn’t really matter at all if these bands sucked that night if there was anyone else there that enjoyed it. _________________ http://jonnyleather.com
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RockyRaccoon
meccalecca
