Post by Zapp Brannigan on Feb 6, 2011 20:39:51 GMT -5
www.lifessweetbreath.com/reviews/albums/18-showroom-of-compassion.html
Cake - Showroom Of Compassion
[Upbeat, 2011]
77%
Cake is back and doing what Cake does best. The San Francisco based band fronted by John McCrea returns in fine form for their sixth studio album, Showroom Of Compassion. After a seven year hiatus, the band still brings the heat with sweeping horns and heavy bass lines that have been so spectacularly used by the band since their inception. McCrea’s unique half-sung, half-spoken vocals remain unchanged for better or worse, though the style has worked and continues to deliver for those who have enjoyed Cake’s musical performance in the past. Despite relying on these staples, McCrea set out to create something very different from previous materials with songs that range from aggressive, sound effect-fueled alternative to slower, almost classical, stylings. This combined effort of essential Cake sounds and a varied soundtrack leads to Cake’s best album this side of Comfort Eagle.
The record starts with the quintessentially Cake song “Federal Funding.” With a heavy dose of literal lyrics, the song lives up to its name admirably and serves as an anchor point for the varied works that follow. After a brisk one-two punch of familiar sounds, the album slows down and stumbles on “Got to Move” and “What’s Now is Now.” These two songs take themselves too seriously and serve as a speed break for the brisk pace set in the middle of the album. For the first time in a Cake record, a piano was used in the recording on the instrumental “Teenage Pregnancy” and to great effect. It sets a mellower mood that is backed up by a carnival-esque synth and mournful horns. But the real stand out track is “Showroom of Compassion.” McCrea’s vocals and lyrics are at their best and the running bass, expertly strummed by Gabe Nelson, creates a sense of urgency that will spike any listener’s heart rate. The home stretch is rounded out by the unique and multi-styled “Easy to Crash,” the folk-inspired and steel guitar filled “Bound Away,” and the distant and lifeless “The Winter.” The album is rounded out by “Italian Guy,” a funny song with violins that sound like they would be at home in the palace of Versailles.
Cake’s hiatus was spent restructuring and rediscovering themselves musically while at the same time committing to different direction. This seeming contradiction works out better than they could have hoped and Cake delivers a strong-showing that starts the year off right and will stay with the listener for months to come.
- Eamon Frawley, January 30, 2011
Cake - Showroom Of Compassion
[Upbeat, 2011]
77%
Cake is back and doing what Cake does best. The San Francisco based band fronted by John McCrea returns in fine form for their sixth studio album, Showroom Of Compassion. After a seven year hiatus, the band still brings the heat with sweeping horns and heavy bass lines that have been so spectacularly used by the band since their inception. McCrea’s unique half-sung, half-spoken vocals remain unchanged for better or worse, though the style has worked and continues to deliver for those who have enjoyed Cake’s musical performance in the past. Despite relying on these staples, McCrea set out to create something very different from previous materials with songs that range from aggressive, sound effect-fueled alternative to slower, almost classical, stylings. This combined effort of essential Cake sounds and a varied soundtrack leads to Cake’s best album this side of Comfort Eagle.
The record starts with the quintessentially Cake song “Federal Funding.” With a heavy dose of literal lyrics, the song lives up to its name admirably and serves as an anchor point for the varied works that follow. After a brisk one-two punch of familiar sounds, the album slows down and stumbles on “Got to Move” and “What’s Now is Now.” These two songs take themselves too seriously and serve as a speed break for the brisk pace set in the middle of the album. For the first time in a Cake record, a piano was used in the recording on the instrumental “Teenage Pregnancy” and to great effect. It sets a mellower mood that is backed up by a carnival-esque synth and mournful horns. But the real stand out track is “Showroom of Compassion.” McCrea’s vocals and lyrics are at their best and the running bass, expertly strummed by Gabe Nelson, creates a sense of urgency that will spike any listener’s heart rate. The home stretch is rounded out by the unique and multi-styled “Easy to Crash,” the folk-inspired and steel guitar filled “Bound Away,” and the distant and lifeless “The Winter.” The album is rounded out by “Italian Guy,” a funny song with violins that sound like they would be at home in the palace of Versailles.
Cake’s hiatus was spent restructuring and rediscovering themselves musically while at the same time committing to different direction. This seeming contradiction works out better than they could have hoped and Cake delivers a strong-showing that starts the year off right and will stay with the listener for months to come.
- Eamon Frawley, January 30, 2011