Baltimore's Cass McCombs has made quite a reputation for himself as the master of reverby bedsit lo-fi pop. But on his latest album, Catacombs, he seems to have moved away from that approach instead choosing a cleaner, crisper sound rounded out by a band that has this sort of retro-60's lounge meets folk thing going on. He might have been stuck in a bedroom for years making music, but now it sounds as if he's headed to a smoky bar to woo the ladies or sit under a tree and get all philosophical. The result is an album that is approachable and likeable even if at times it's a bit too folky for it's own good.
Catacombsis a warm record that benefits greatly from the fact that it is an album that is actually produced rather well. It's tones and colors come through subtly but nicely, giving the record an intimate feel almost as if Cass himself was singing these songs to you or about you. The great thing about this sense of closeness is that he's then able to write songs that borderline on humorous while still being affectionate. See "Prima Donna," for a perfect example of just how Cass and company kind of get cheeky while still remaining melodically cool.
The accessiblity of Cass McCombs' songs makes this a folk record it's ok to like. The band's ability to sound countrified one moment, smoky and dramatic the next, and shy and shuffly after that allows the record to breathe and create that one on one environment that's oh so cool. While Catacombsis a quiet little record it has it's moments and the fact that Cass McCombs has chosen to be a cleaner and clearer singer songwriter with a band has gone a long way to making this record as accessible as it is. Nice stuff indeed.
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