#7
Cass McCombs: “Memory’s Stain”
[from Wit’s End / Domino] 

After reading a few different publications’ attempts at interviews with Cass McCombs at various points over the course of the year, I’ve come to a conclusion about what those in the press should ultimately do to deal with his penchant for being difficult and cagey with interviewers: just leave him alone. McCombs released two brilliant and totally varied records in 2011. For that reason alone, just leave him be. Let him exist in his various hovels around the country and record music when he wants to. Don’t fucking frighten him off for good. We need him.

Out of the wealth of music that McCombs graced us with in the past year, none show off it’s creator’s  ability to mix the meaningful with the maudlin more succinctly than “Memory’s Stain”. A song made up of half deep introspection and half chastising hipster touchstones, it’s chorus also conjures up frightening echoes of Elliott Smith in it’s overall execution. The emphasis of the ending of each vocal phrase shows that McCombs is an artist that is deeply devoted to even the smallest of details of is craftsmanship. 

Again, leave him alone. Let him work. Let him amaze us.

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