While Wit’s End is one of my favorite sad-bastard LPs of the year so far, Cass McCombs isn’t ready to close out 2011 on such a grim note just yet. Enter Humor Risk, a new 8-track “attempt at laughter instead of confusion, chaos instead of morality, or, as [McCombs’] fellow Northern Californian Jack London said, ‘I would rather be ashes than dust!’” Our first taste, “The Same Thing” — available as a free stream above — conveys “more love than judgment” with uptempo percussion, a ’60s-psych organ riff in the bridge/outro, and a few sunny, Beach Boys-inspired melodies.
Humor Risk will begin cheering up McCombs fans on November 8, complete with a sketch called “Mariah.” Check out the tracklist:
01. “Love Thine Enemy”
02. “The Living Word”
03. “The Same Thing”
04. “To Every Man His Chimera”
05. “Robin Egg Blue”
06. “Mystery Mail”
07. “Meet Me At the Mannequin Gallery”
08. “Mariah (sketch)”