Cake has been around since 1994 when they released Motorcade of Genorosity. There next album Fashion Nugget was a big hit with songs such as "The Distance" and "I Will Survive". Next came Prolonging The Magic.
Members : John McCrea - vocals, guitar, organ, moog
Vincent Di Fiore - trumpet, backing vocals
Gabriel Nelson - bass guitar, mandolin, piano
Todd Roper - drums. percussion, backing vocals
Special Guests : Jim Campilongo - electric guitar
Richard Lyman - musical saw
David Palmer - keyboard
Xan McCurdy - electric guitar
Ben Morss - piano
Chuck Prophet - electric guitar
Greg Vincent - pedal steel guitar
Rusty Miller - Electric guitar
Tyler Pope - electric guitar
Cake is a very unique alternative rock band. The lead singer, John McCrea doesn't actually sing. He has a monotone voice and sort of speaks the lyrics. This may turn some listeners off, but certainly not me. Cake has sort of a relaxed feel, they also have clever lyrics and the music mixes well. There is a variety of instruments used throughout the cd and there are also nine special guests.
Satan is my Motor 3:12
Cake starts off with a slow steady song. The guitar is very addicting and catchy. This is one of those songs you can just sit back and sing along to. This is probably one of the catchiest songs on the album, but I still don't know why they are singing about Satan and cars. At the end of the song the trumpet comes in and then the song slowly closes.
4/5
Mexico 3:26
After the catchy tune Mexico comes in. This is a lazy country tune dominated by a twangy acoustic line. Don't get me wrong I can't stand country music and I love this song. This song features some clever lyrics and is quite depressing. The trumpet comes in toward the middle of the song, then the lazy country part comes in and closes out the song
4/5
Never There 2:44
Wow, we are getting quite a variety from Cake. McCrea sings the lyrics in this song and you might find yourself dancing because this song is funky and farily quick paced. Towards the middle of the song there is a groovy jazz influenced trumpet solo. The lyrics are quite intense and when you combine this with funk you get Cake at its best!
5/5
Guitar 3:40
There really isn't anything special about this track. The song has some good lyrcis and it's a little catchy, but overall there isn't anything special. This is mainly a guitar driven track but overall it doesn't really go anywhere. Note: this is the only song on the album that features the musical saw.
2.5/5
[b]You Turn The Screws[b] 4:00
This song opens with a nice piano part followed by a trumpet. After this 21 second intro the song turns into a hip/hoppish song. The lyrics are angry and are a rant about the music business. This is some catchy stuff but I think it goes on a little to long.
4/5
Walk On By 3:46
This is another depressing track. McCrea sings the lyrics on this one and it isn't pritty. The guitar playing is extremely simple and stripped down while the percussion delivers a formulaic rhythm. If your into depressing love songs than this is for you, unfortunately this is not my cup of tea.
2/5
Sheep Go To Heaven 3:48
This is one of my favorite songs of all time. The song starts out with McCrea singing about not being happy. The lyrics are very interesting and it just gets you pumped up. The vocals are lazy yet intense at the same time. The song goes into a mesh of a guitar, trumpet and an organ, then it's back to McCrea singing. The song fades out with McCrea chanting "Sheep go to heaven, goats go the hell."
5/5
When You Sleep 3:58
The song starts off slow and smooth. The lyrics are at there best on this song. The soothing smooth rythm mixes great with the lyrics. The backing vocals also add catchiness to this song and make it more fun to sing along to. This is a very interesting and cool feeling song.
4/5
Hem of your Garmet 3:35
This song rivals "Never There" for the most danceable song on the album. Unfortunately this song loses. The lyrics are as angry as they get on the album. There is a funky guitar part which is probably the best guitar feature on the album. The song is funky fun and has great harsh lyrics.
4.5/5
Alpha Beta Parking Lot 3:30
This song is "Guitars" twin. You will find yourself singing along but you will get more tired of this song each time you listen to it. Theres a catchy guitar and trumpet riff played in the middle of the song but it doesn't save the song from being a bore.
2/5
Let Me Go 3:29
Ah yes the cool fun beat of this song is very addicting. This songs lyrics are about plea for freedom within a relationship. Although the lyrics are sort of depressing this is song is extremely upbeat and features a very nice guitar line. The song ends with McCrea saying "Let me go" in a whimsical voice.
4/5
Cool Blue Reason 3:27
This song has depressing lyrics and has a depressing sound. Although I don't usually like demening Cake songs this one is quite good. After McCrea monotones there is a brief guitar solo with a mandolin playing in the backround. Then at around 2:50 some cool sounding instrument comes in(i'm not sure what it is) it sounds like and electronic moog. Although this isn't a very happy track I still think its interesting and I enjoy it.
3/5
Where Would I Be? 3:53
McCrea sings most of the time on this song. This is a very sad song. The lyrics are decent but the song isn't strong. The instruments seem to blend together well, but there is no instrument that stands out. Where would I be finally ends with a blend of guitar playing and mandolin strumming. I think this was a bad way to end the album.
2/5
Overall Cake didn't do a bad job. This is no Fashion Nugget or Comfort Eagle but this album does stand out well on its own. If Cake would of worked harder on a few tracks then this would of been great. If you are new to cake then I would check out the album Comfort Eagle but if you are a Cake fan and you don't have this than I would recomend this.
PROS:
Some good catchy tunes with good lyrics
Original cool sound
Is good to listen to when you want to relax or sing along to something
CONS:
To many bad or depressing tracks
Isn't good to listen to all the way through
3.5/5
