Tip Of The Sphere is the 9th studio album from Cass McCombs. His preceding work, Mangy Love, is a focused project that pieces together soul, psychedelia, and rock, and McCombs's ability to effortlessly navigate through styles/influences remain true on Tip…. The songwriting, which occurred in a relatively short period of time, is highlighted by "raw immediacy and a special balance of compassion and experimentation." Check out "Sleeping Volcanoes," a song that likens the emotional volatility of people passing each other to that of a dormant pool of hot lava, or "The Great Pixley Train Robbery," an upbeat number highlighting McCombs's storytelling ability. Overall, the 11-tracker is driven "by a journeying mysticism and dark grace" that's characteristic of the seasoned artist: listen to "Estrella," "I Followed the River South to What," "Absentee," and "Rounder."

• gatefold sleeve w/ lyric sheet
• printed insert
• music label: Anti- 2019

reviewed by singing in japanese 03/19