Cass McCombs is one of the finest songwriters working in pop today. His songs have compelling dronepop melodies reminiscent of early ?80s New Zealand indie-rock (the Chills, JPSE, etc.) while vocally he?s capable of the wh... more »iney style one associates with "emo," but the boy can also croon like nobody?s business when he wants to. There?s a goofy whimsy to songs like "Bury Mary" that brings to mind Highway 61; other songs recall the moody, decadent pop of Echo and the Bunnymen's Crocodiles or the Cure?s Seventeen Seconds. A lot more money was spent here than on his debut A, but the production's a little too muddy, as if he were trying for the Goth thing now that he?s on 4AD and lives overseas. McCombs has yet to really paint his masterpiece, but he?s a capital-A artiste worthy of full investigation. --Mike McGonigal« less
Cass McCombs is one of the finest songwriters working in pop today. His songs have compelling dronepop melodies reminiscent of early ?80s New Zealand indie-rock (the Chills, JPSE, etc.) while vocally he?s capable of the whiney style one associates with "emo," but the boy can also croon like nobody?s business when he wants to. There?s a goofy whimsy to songs like "Bury Mary" that brings to mind Highway 61; other songs recall the moody, decadent pop of Echo and the Bunnymen's Crocodiles or the Cure?s Seventeen Seconds. A lot more money was spent here than on his debut A, but the production's a little too muddy, as if he were trying for the Goth thing now that he?s on 4AD and lives overseas. McCombs has yet to really paint his masterpiece, but he?s a capital-A artiste worthy of full investigation. --Mike McGonigal
CD Reviews
An Indie Classic
Erik D Kokkonen | San Francisco, CA | 06/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I may have written one other review on Amazon in the last ten years
(I think it was for a television) so making this post is a substantial personal feat for me. I must say that this album, and Cass McCombs, specifically, are worth your attention. His music is indie-influenced, but have a deep resonance and poetry. Some tracks, such as Tourist Woman, She's Still Suffering, and City of Brotherly Love, which occur mid-album, don't cut the mustard for me. But McCombs quickly recovers with beautiful, plaintive tracks like Sacred Heart, Cuckoo, and All Your Dreams May Come True. His music makes me hurt somewhere deep inside. Shut off everything else, load this album, and just let it hit you."
3 1/2 : Some of the best singles you'll hear all year...
The Swift Runner | Carmen Santiego, USA | 02/02/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Unfortunately, singles don't always save an album. I don't really believe in the ratings system, but since I have to designate some basis from which I will launch my opinion on this, I would give it 3 1/2 stars. There are some great songs here. Equinox, Sacred Heart, She's Still Suffering and especially City of Brotherly Love prove that Mccombs music is career oriented stuff. The production is cleaner, yet more muffled than his debut "A", and the song sequencing is rather cut and paste, but this does not detract from the album. What does, though, is the sense that there is too much filler. Mccombs seems to have a working knowledge of the fact that not every song he has written here is great or even good. The songs in-between those listed above seem to meander until handoff to the aformentioned. That is not to say that every other song does not carry some sort of weight. Cuckoo, Bury Mary and All Your Dreams May Come True would be stronger songs if they were not bastard stepbrothers to Sacred Heart and Equinox. Never the less, this is an album that I am sure I will continue to revisit throughout the year. There are enough great songs on this record to merit that sort of summation."
One of the finest rock albums of the year...
Takis Tz. | InYourHead | 02/20/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It seems the 4AD label hasnt ran out of ways to keep attracting listeners. Not even in these days of grand rock stagnation.
"Prefection" is an album hiding all kinds of lil and bigger gems in it, one that should be discovered allthough i'm afraid it will only be a discovery for those that like to dig deep.
Reminiscent of some of the finest moments of alternative 80s rock and full of intriguing melodies and bizzare hooks it also offers Mccombs's catchy vocals to the satisfying mix.
It does try to lean to a darker almost gothic side without being too obvious about it and this subtlety is prevailent throughout. The influences are always kept under reins for that matter and Mccombs does manage to sound different in a somewhat acrobatic way.
There's at least 4 songs on this albums that would be very succesful indie hits with even minor promotion. Overall it's a very solid album, all the songs range easily from very good to great and it will rather appeal to the experienced and eclectic listener especially one that has had a lot of rock through his ears over time.
Definetely deserves to be discovered and treasured.
"
Impressive...definitely worth buying
Bearman | Washington, DC United States | 02/11/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I saw Cass Mccombs open for the Shins a year ago and never forgot him. I recently got PREfecion and have to say that it is sticking with me to a point where I cannot get some of these songs out of my head. I am not impressed easily, but Cass is unique. He exhibits some influence of mid-80's british new wave like the Smiths and Echo & the Bunnymen, but he's got his own ideas and they shine. "City of Brotherly Love" is one of the most majestic and ethereal songs I've heard in a long time. No wonder he records for 4AD in Europe. I recommend this record for anyone with an open mind and a love of truly good music. You won't be disappointed."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1