2019

February 2019 Album of the month: Cass McCombs “Tip of the Sphere”

Stephane Baccetti6 Comments

Another fantastic month in terms of new releases! I must admit keeping only seven records was a tough choice and that new LP’s by Ex:Re or Tiny Ruins could also have been there. However, very happy to get news again from the artist who has released our record of the month as he is one of the hidden jewels of our times.

Album of the month: Cass McCombs – “Tip of the Sphere” – Pop Rock – Cass McCombs has been one of my favourite artists of the last fifteen years…but I am not sure I could explain why. His music is actually simultaneously very traditional and very modern. I know the comparison may be scary and misunderstood but I consider he does what Bob Dylan may have been doing at one stage of his career in terms of intelligent lyrics and very catchy songs but in an ambitious musical shape. I guess better to listen to this record to make your own mind…so listen to it as my gut feeling is that he will not be far from the top at the end of the current year.

  • Runner-up: Du Blonde – “Lung Bread for Daddy” – Pop Rock – Second album for Beth Jeans Houghton under the Du Blonde moniker. Those familiar with this blog may remember how much I enjoyed her latest gig at End of the Road festival and the least I could say is that her new record really meets the great expectations I had. Songs are straight to the point whereas her singing has never been more powerful. An artist to keep on following in the years to come.
  • Also recommended:
    • Michael Chapman – “True North” – Folk Rock – Age does not matter but excellence does… 78-year old Michael Chapman has never sounded so sharp. To be also noted: the record is produced by the excellent Steve Gunn (who was in last month’s selection).
    • Bob Mould – “Sunshine Rock” – Heavy Rock – Talking about age… One of the best records from the former Hüsker Dü / Sugar leader. …and with strings on a few tracks!
    • Stephane Eicher & Traktorkestar – “Hüh!” –  Swiss Pop Rock – The great Swiss musician revisits his back catalogue with the help of a young refreshing band. A good reason to listen without prejudice and acknowledge Stephan Eicher has made fantastic songs throughout his career.
    • James Yorkston– “The Route to the Harmonium” – Scottish Folk – You will not find a more authentic fresh-sounding record that James Yorkston’s new one. He sings mainly about his daily life in Scotland and makes mundane life extremely beautiful.
    • The Young Gods – “Data Mirage Tangram” – Post Industrial Rock – It looks this is Switzerland’s month! Very welcome return from the Swiss veterans with the quietest industrial rock record you will ever listen to.
  • Lest we forget: album of the previous month The Delines – “The Imperial”

6 thoughts on “February 2019 Album of the month: Cass McCombs “Tip of the Sphere””

  1. Hello mate. Thanks for the very good info and assessments. It’s a pleasure to follow your steps and discover new musical things. Greetings from Ukraine. Bises. Frederic

    Reply

  5. […] From The Beths (young pop band from New Zealand) to Wire (post punk legends), I very much enjoyed all the gigs I attended but a specific mention has to be given to two artists. The first one is what is called a musicians’ musician, i.e. an artist very much lauded amongst their peers but without necessarily a major impact in terms of sales of records. Steve Gunn is an extraordinary guitar player and he can regularly be found on other bands’ records. He is starting to find his own voice as well as a songwriter and singer and his set was close to perfect. Very nice to find him again a few hours later playing guitar on two songs with Cass McCombs. The latter had been one of this blog’s favourite for a long time now and his latest LP was one of our albums of the month in 2019. […]

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