Near Legendary indie folk troubadour Cass McCombs delivers another catchy, yet still somehow morbid slice of storytelling with the first single off his fourth album, Catacombs. As the song starts, McCombs voice alone is breathtakingly raw and powerful, sounding particularly dark in contrast to the upbeat music it’s laid over.
Singer, Songwriter (and Mother Firefly in Rob Zombies amazing House of 1000 Corpses), Karen Black provides guest vocals, starting off hauntingly simple before bursting into a duet with Cass which sounds oddly like those of Johnny Cash and June Carter. This may be an odd and off putting comparison, but Blacks voice is a treat and joy to listen to and adds to what would have been a tremendous record anyway. The ease with which Cass McCombs delivers this gem is worrying but heart warming and it is hoped will continue for a long time to come.
Words: Mike Rudge