Cass McCombs: Dropping The Writ

Wispy singer-songwriter Cass McCombs probably wouldn't consider it a compliment to be compared to Seals & Crofts, but his third LP, Dropping The Writ, does recall the best aspects of the soft-rock '70s—most notably in the way McCombs doesn't overwhelm his delicate story-songs with instrumental frippery. Most of the tracks on Dropping The Writ build off McCombs' light, shimmery strumming and pleasantly airy vocals, to which he adds a few bars of piano here, a few bars of harmony there. The extra sounds are more like grace notes than dominant components of the arrangements—more like watercolors instead of thick oil paintings. The results are by no means earthshaking, but they do provide some gentle vibrations.