An Evening With Cass McCombs
Photos "taken" by Ethan Milner
Live music has a way of re-contextualizing its performer. An example that comes to mind is the “art-metal” outfit Kylesa, who so cunningly convince of their talent by way of excellent recorded production value. See them once live, however, and marvel at your newfound respect for engineering and production. Live performance is another beast entirely.
Thus I was apprehensive about what I should expect from a Cass McCombs live show. McCombs has a strong output of recorded work, including the very complete album Catacombs. His other records, however, tend to have a few standout tracks but a lot of imbalance, his most recent effort Humor Risk being a prime example. Would he play a great set incorporating “the hits,” or deliver a recalcitrant one of only new material? Could McCombs pull off that sneaky falsetto on “County Line?” Would he play “I Went to the Hospital?” Would the fireman’s ball in the Crofoot Ballroom spill over and turn the show into a bacchanalian feast of untold ecstasies? So many questions!
Luckily, seeing a show at Pontiac’s Pike Room is rarely a wasted trip, even if the bands aren’t so good. Nearly every show I’ve seen at the Crofoot complex has sounded stellar, and this one was no exception.
