Coming just six months after the highly regarded Wit’s End , Cass McCombs delivers Humor Risk, an album that aims to be a much lighter, happier affair than it’s predecessor.  His catchy, folk-infused melodies and distant vocals are all right where they’re supposed to be, but this time around something is missing.

The detachment that characterizes McCombs vocal approach is representative of his lifestyle.  Somewhat of a transient, he has bounced around the U.S. to places like New York, Baltimore, the Pacific Northwest and San Francisco, and as such must feel like an outsider looking in.  He succeeds most with this style on songs like "The Same Thing" and the Wilco-esque "Love Thine Enemy", but falters with "To Every Man His Chimera", a track that could’ve easily been trimmed down, it sounds effortless but not in a good way.

As with Wit’s End, McCombs has chosen to keep Humor Risk  brief, just 8 songs, so it may be fair to view the 15 total songs he’s released this year as one whole statement.  Put up next to his work from this past April, Humor Risk  falls short.  The driving rhythm of ‘The Same Thing’ and the cheerful feeling of "Robin Egg Blue" are nice, but McCombs doesn’t sound as involved with this record.  Wit’s End was a bleak mind-fuck overflowing with emotion, but on Humor Risk everything seems to breeze by too easily.

The fact that Cass has released two very distinct albums this year is something to be admired, but inevitably there must be a winner and a loser.  Wit’s End was a major investment time and emotion, just six months later he sounds thankful simply to be alive, and as such Humor Risk  feels a little bit like a stint in rehab, a timeout to heal all the open wounds.  Still, McCombs is one of the most talented singer-songwriters around today and there’s no reason to think he won’t be back on top of his game soon.

Grade: C+