Albums to watch

Humor Risk

Cass McCombs

Humor Risk

Album No.6 from the American folk / indie rock singer-songwriter and guitarist

ADM rating[?]

7.4

Label
Domino
UK Release date
17/10/2011
US Release date
08/11/2011
  1. 9.0 |   The Fly

    An absorbing, perfectly rendered window into the mind of a true talent
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  2. 8.5 |   BBC

    He has made another (mostly) sublime record
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  3. 8.3 |   A.V. Club

    Humor Risk might be another downer from this accomplished singer-songwriter, but its pulse beats strong as it bleeds
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  4. 8.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    While Humor Risk is less instantly memorable than Wit’s End, it’s a lot easier to digest and is probably the record you’ll end up spinning most out of the two
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  5. 8.0 |   Uncut

    Still one of America's most unique and affecting songwriters. Print edition only

  6. 8.0 |   Q

    Another casually monumental achievement from one of the great singer-songwriters of the day. Print edition only

  7. 8.0 |   Mojo

    Another work of warped brilliance. Print edition only

  8. 8.0 |   The Quietus

    He sounds so much more comfortable now that the songs are meant to fit with his stirring delivery, and that he has allowed variety and erraticness of feeling back into his work
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  9. 8.0 |   Rave Magazine

    His most approachable work since 2009’s underrated Catacombs
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  10. 7.9 |   Paste Magazine

    The complexity of the album is minimal, but McCombs manages to craft eight songs that explore a lighthearted lyrical tone and dynamic view of life
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  11. 7.9 |   Beats Per Minute

    Striking both to the ears and to the mind
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  12. 7.6 |   Pitchfork

    His most straightforward and outgoing record to date... There's an easy likability to most of this album, even if McCombs' ever-present opaqueness seems somewhat superfluous when he's in this zone
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  13. 7.5 |   Prefix

    Sort of McCombs’ White Album -- a collection of songs that show off the myriad musical genres McCombs can work with
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  14. 7.0 |   DIY

    Each song is a story, some more cohesive than others, but each just as interesting
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  15. 7.0 |   Bowlegs

    Still has the ring of a McCombs’ album, with the musician continuing to craft an original, yet distinctive sound for himself
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  16. 7.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    This may not exactly be a love record, but its road-ready ballads and attitude toward life are a bit more encouraging than — and a perfect compliment to– Wit’s dark ruminations
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  17. 7.0 |   Spin

    Suffering rarely has sounded so comforting
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  18. 7.0 |   Slant Magazine

    Humor Risk isn't a perfect album by any stretch, but it does provide another striking glimpse into the picaresque, tongue-in-cheek tragedies that mark McCombs's unique songwriting
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  19. 7.0 |   No Ripcord

    A little less twang, and bucket loads more swing, Humor Risk mostly carries out a focused improvisational approach that strictly adheres to workmanlike American roots
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  20. 7.0 |   Tiny Mix Tapes

    A record that should be listened to all the way through. Each song is a story, some more cohesive than others, but each just as interesting
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  21. 7.0 |   Tiny Mix Tapes

    As a whole it doesn’t grip completely like past gems
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  22. 7.0 |   Under The Radar

    Its oddball pop flavors and production style bringing Ariel Pink to mind
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  23. 7.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    It’s hard to tire of the delightful turns of phrase and lyrical vignettes in McCombs’ writing
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  24. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    The results are sometimes funny, sometimes scary, sometimes touching, but rarely boring
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  25. 6.7 |   Pretty Much Amazing

    Humor Risk is for the most part direct, even punchy
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  26. 6.0 |   Blurt

    The biggest revelation comes in terms of attitude; where Wit's End was dark and despondent, Humor Risk, while hardly jovial, shows he's more upbeat, if not all-out optimistic
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  27. 6.0 |   NME

    It's no great foray away from the norm
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Cass McCombs: Humor Risk

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