I made an oops when I said I’d review this album. I thought, “Sure, I’ll listen to Cass McCombs. He’s a guy I know I should listen to, but I haven’t listened to yet.” Then I realized I am one of those horrible people who pays attention to everything about a song except for the lyrics, and Cass McCombs is a guy who is mostly known for writing good lyrics! I’ll valiantly try to describe it for you. Big Wheel and Others is a double album of alternative country. If you hate country, you can listen to this while retaining your indie cred, because Cass McCombs is a Democrat who does not live in rural America. You can also listen to this because the songs are pretty good. “Brighter!” doesn’t really deserve the exclamation mark, but sounds like a classic Wilco track and has some pleasant, but well-worn chord progressions. “There Can Be Only One” oozes with 70s charm, with a phased guitar, Latin drums, and Cass McCombs doing his best Lou Reed impression, and “Angel Blood” is a country ballad with some sweet pedal guitar work. I don’t really know why this album is a double album since that format is incredibly self-indulgent, but for a collection of pleasantly melodic rock-flavoured tunes, it’s a lot better than Yuck’s Glow and Behold. (Domino, dominorecordco.com) Topher Duguay