Preview: Cass McCombs @ the Pike Room, 1/28

The man who once said “I want to be famous for falling in love,” comes into Pontiac hot.  Two albums in 2011 found McCombs at a prolific pace, expressing and exploring the many spaces songwriting can go.  His record Wit’s End added soulful, dark touches to his oeuvre.  He followed this with late-year release Humor

Photo by Sandy Kim

Risk, which his press packet claims is ”an attempt at laughter instead of confusion, chaos instead of morality, or, as fellow Northern Californian Jack London said, “I would rather be ashes than dust!”  Sure it is!

What you, reader, must know, is that McCombs is an artist that has continued to grow, to mature musically over the years.  Wit’s End breaks out with a dashing falsetto for Pete’s sake!  Layer beneath that a sense of lyricism clearly influenced by Pop music’s geniuses, from the emotional accuracy of Cohen to the witty beauty of David Berman, and a comfort for experimentation, and you’ll begin to approximate McCombs.  If you think I’m hyperbolizing, check out the lyric video for his outstanding track “I Went To the Hospital.” 

McCombs comes to Pontiac’s Pike Room January 28th.  Doors at 8, show is $10.