Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Album Review: Cake, Showroom Of Compassion

Release Date: January 11
Label: Upbeat Records

In a move that should surprise no one, Cake have recorded yet another Cake album. The Sacramento-based group have an immediately identifiable sound and Showroom Of Compassion is steeped in it. Never mind the fact that they haven't released a new album since 2004. Cake are back and, hey, they still sound like Cake. Like all five before it, this new Cake album comes complete with a catchy lead single ("Sick Of You"), featuring John McCrea's distinctive speak-singing and a snappy trumpet section. There even a few yelped backing vocals for those of you who still love "Short Skirt/Long Jacket." Unfortunately, after "Sick Of You," there's a substantial drop-off in the album's song quality. Cake have never been much of an "album band" and Showroom Of Compassion is no exception. You get more nibbling guitar lines, more horns, even more snarky McCrea, but those pieces never gel as well as they do on the lead single. Indeed, Cake have returned after a long absence, virtually the same as ever: one solid, quirky single nestled amid more forgettable tracks.

Grade:

2 comments:

  1. Cake's New Album is Like Chicken Noodle Soup and Dextromethorphan: http://mrshuffleupagus.blogspot.com/2011/01/cakes-new-album-is-like-chicken-noodle.html

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  2. They actually put the vibraslap in the video? Oh, Cake.

    ReplyDelete