[8] In his 2008 autobiography Renegade, Smith called McCord the best of the more than a dozen drummers The Fall had up to that point, with an openness to new ideas and straightforward playing that avoided cliches.

[14] McCord incorporates African influences in his work with the band, using a hybridization of drum set, marimba, conga, djembe and electronic percussion.

The album is composed of "hypnotic instrumental pieces... treading the line between new age and minimalist ambient music.

[1][21] He was formerly the drummer and percussion leader in Fool's Gold, an LA pop band whose music incorporates African rhythms.

[23] In 2014, McCord and Mikael Jorgensen (pianist/keyboardist for Wilco) formed the duo Prism Break, inspired by early 1970s German experimental rock.

[24] McCord has also performed with Ima Robot,[15] The Flaming Lips,[25] Jack Johnson,[26] Dawes and He's My Brother She's My Sister.

[28][29][30] McCord is based in Ojai, California,[1][31] where he lives with his wife Rachel Kolar (of He's My Brother She's My Sister) and their two children.