Dropping The Writ

Entertainment Weekly - "[T]he singer-songwriter seems to source his lyrics from dreams, with hazy impressions of longing and wonder that linger." Uncut - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he range of McCombs' references is wide. 'Lionkiller' sounds like Terry Riley jamming with Franz Ferdinand. 'That's That' bounces like James' 'Sit Down'..." Spin - 3 stars out of 5 -- "On 'Full Moon or Infinity,' he's gently Elliott Smith-like." Magnet - "Spacious arrangements leave plenty of room for layers of vocal harmonies, and unlike many crooners, McCombs is at his most endearing when he stretches his tenor." Clash - "Opening track 'Lionkiller' pounces on your ears and refuses to let go....The album continues to traverse everything from Laurel Canyon folk rock guitar of 'Petrified Forest' to his more reflective moments in 'Full Moon Of Infinity'..." Q - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[With] a folky, sometimes mod-like poppiness that resonates with trails of Big Star and Elliott Smith....This is the work of a singular talent."

One of American indie's most individual voices presents this third album, the follow-up to 2005's 'Prefection' and his first for Domino. In stark contrast to 'Prefection' which was quickly blasted out during a freezing Michigan February, 'Dropping The Writ' (named for the practice of a premier asking the head of state to dissolve parliament) was recorded leisurely over three years in the warm California sunshine. Less awkward, obtuse and literary than his earlier work, it sees him ditching most of the Smiths and Cure comparisons in favour of a somewhat more straightforward folk-pop sound.|