Cass “Big Wheel” McCombs is a rough rider on the mean streets of the world. He doesn’t take shit from no one. Not from motorcyclists. Not from bikers. Not from folks in minivans, either. He just pedals on by and waves, the big wheel in front carrying him over any and all obstacles the open road can throw at him. “Big Wheel” McCombs is not a small man, and throughout the years, many have observed that he looks “pretty much ridiculous” and “like a weird giant riding a children’s toy.” It always seemed like Mr. Big (Wheel) didn’t take any of the negative talk seriously; at least not until now, that is.
Now I’m not so sure. He’s just announced a new LP entitled Big Wheel and Others out on Domino Records, and from the looks of it, it’s a rebuttal to all the haters. It follows what many interpreted as a “brooding silence” through 2012 that was preceded by a 2011 release schedule that could have only been managed by a man with calves made powerful by constant pedaling — he released both Humor Risk (TMT Review) and Wit’s End (TMT Review) that year. Big Wheel and Others is out October 15, and it’s a double LP that unfolds over two discs and 22 songs (he’s got a lot to say about his precious big wheel, it seems). Indeed, it is perhaps less an album and more a bundle, or an oil barrel, or a child’s toy chest of songs. It’ll arrive as both a double CD and LP, with a special edition 2xLP limited to 500 copies that comes with an exclusive 7-inch containing unreleased songs. Those who have cast shade upon the almighty big wheel need not preorder, though those whose lips have remained dry of the haterade may follow this link to the Domino store.
McCombs is touring as fast as his grownup legs can carry him on his chosen mode of transportation this fall. You can listen to “There Can Only Be One” from the album below. Honestly, and I say this from a place of total love, but yes, there can only be one. If there’s any more than one full-grown adult riding around the world on a children’s toy at one time then I’d say we are to a point where things are getting objectively out of hand.
Big Wheel and Others tracklisting:
Disc 1:
01. Sean I
02. Big Wheel
03. Angel Blood
04. Morning Star
05. The Burning of the Temple, 2012
06. Brighter!
07. There Can Be Only One
08. Name Written in Water
09. Joe Murder
10. Everything Has to Be Just-So
Disc 2:
01. It Means a Lot to Know You Care
02. Dealing
03. Sooner Cheat Death Than Fool Love
04. Satan Is My Toy
05. Sean II
06. Home on the Range
07. Brighter!
08. Untitled Spain Song
09. Sean III
10. Honesty Is No Excuse
11. Aeon of Aquarius Blues
12. Unearthed
Dates:
08.30.13 - Salisbury, UK - End of the Road Festival
09.02.13 - Manchester, UK - Castle Hotel
09.05.13 - Providence, RI - Columbus Theatre
09.06.13 - Biddeford, ME - The Oak and the Ax
09.07.13 - Burlington, VT - Signal Kitchen
09.14.13 - Hudson, NY - Basilica Soundscape 2013
01.13.13 - London, UK - Queen Elizabeth Hall
• Cass McCombs: https://www.facebook.com/CassMcCombs
• Domino: http://www.dominorecordco.us
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