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Mangy Love Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

  • Summary: The eighth full-length release for the California singer-songwriter features contributions from Angel Olsen and Blake Mills, with production by Rob Schnapf and Dan Horne.
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Top Track

Bum Bum Bum
The white dog of the farm still breeds She's off her leash To tear flesh and teach Bum bum bum You think you've heard it all before Well, here's... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Uncut
    Aug 16, 2016
    90
    The 12 songs on his eighth ares till gloriously strange, though: lyrically as kaleidoscopic as mid-'60s Dylan, and packed with fascinating, contradictory references. [Sep 2016, p.76]
  2. Q Magazine
    Aug 16, 2016
    80
    There is a wonderful tension on Mangy Love between the pleasure of the music--lush, soulful, spinning out from Elliot Smith or Lambchop--and the often ugly, complex breaks and disturbances in the lyrics. [Sep 2016, p.103]
  3. 80
    Mangy Love would succeed even without lyrics. Produced leisurely with Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith) and Dan Horne and featuring 21 extra musicians, this is McCombs’ richest ever recording. Sublime flourishes abound.
  4. Sep 8, 2016
    80
    On Mangy Love, he continues this attentiveness to character creation, draping a new dramatis personae in a billowing glow of soft rock, Philly soul, and cryptic folk.
  5. Nov 21, 2016
    80
    For a primer in what went right in the ‘70s prior to punk and hip-hop, you won’t find many LPs as successful at recapturing the diversity of those rich sonic playgrounds as Mangy Love.
  6. Under The Radar
    Sep 14, 2016
    75
    Ultimately, Mangy Love is a lush production that ups its game on every listen. [Aug-Sep 2016, p.73]
  7. Aug 16, 2016
    60
    The feel that McCombs as an “artist at work”, given carte blanche, is prevalent. Dreaded jams are not cut back, verses sprawling and unpruned. And despite this, his usual delicious chaos seems absent.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Aug 27, 2016
    9
    First listen to Cass for me this release will leave you yearning for more. You just don't know what to expect between the lyrics and the musicFirst listen to Cass for me this release will leave you yearning for more. You just don't know what to expect between the lyrics and the music with some first class guitar work.
    The critics hit the nail on the head with this one! This is a concert I have to add to my must see list. I also stopped by for a look at his website. For a true experience head to his website!
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  2. Aug 8, 2019
    9
    This release was my first approach to McCombs' work and hypnotized me since the first listen. "Rancid Girl" was the track that made me lookThis release was my first approach to McCombs' work and hypnotized me since the first listen. "Rancid Girl" was the track that made me look for more, and every time I listen to this record I find something new and get lost between the guitar lines' textures. I also feel it necessary to emphasize the calm that his voice transmits to me. Expand
  3. Sep 1, 2016
    9
    In his Anti records debut, Cass showcases a perfect balance of catchiness and serenity. His deadpan atitude is supported by the gorgeousIn his Anti records debut, Cass showcases a perfect balance of catchiness and serenity. His deadpan atitude is supported by the gorgeous instrumentation, as he sings about sociopolitical problems with a very ironic look. Not many artists manage to create a mood like he does, and songs like Bum Bum Bum are just perfectly beautiful. Expand
  4. Aug 18, 2022
    6
    this release will leave you yearning for more. Rancid Girl" was the track that made me look for more, and every time I listen to this record Ithis release will leave you yearning for more. Rancid Girl" was the track that made me look for more, and every time I listen to this record I find something new and get lost between the guitar lines' textures. I also feel it necessary to emphasize the calm that his voice transmits Expand