For those unfamiliar with Cake, they can probably best be described as a truly alternative band. I have yet to hear another band like them. They combine drums, organ, electric and acoustic guitars, trumpet, and percussion into simple, effective music that isn't big on soloing, just providing a good base for singer John McCrea's voice, which hovers between montone and melodic, sincere and sarcastic.
This album came out in 1996 and is probably best known for the single "The Distance" and the cover of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." I'ma gonna go through it track by track,
1) Frank Sinatra- Good opening track. It establishes the mood for the album: a midtempo track which features the trumpet prominently, with McCrea staying well within his range while he sings the melody.
2) The Distance- The single. It is still a very good song, but it does lead people to a misconception about Cake: mainly that they do not use melodies at all, when this isn't true. This song also has very good lyrics and rocks pretty hard for Cake, which makes up for its less-than-original guitar riff.
3) Friend Is A Four Letter Word- A "ballad", I don't really like this song because it seems to be more than a gimmick then an actual song. Has some clever lyrics though.
4) Open Book- Interesting song. Great lyrics with some interesting metaphors (You think she's an open book/but you don't know which page to turn to, do you) but the end of every chorus ends with a dissonant harmony that is a little jarring.
5) Daria- One of my favorites. There is great contrast in the music between all parts of the song, which make it a lot of fun to listen to. Very catchy melody.
6) Race Car Ya-Yas- This song just consists of one verse being repeated over and over again while the band plays a riff over and over again, each member occasionally adding his own variation. What is great about this song is the way McCrea keeps completely deadpan throughout the whole song.
7) I Will Survive- Cake's cover. You wouldn't think it, but it works very well. It remains funky and funny- thanks to the sardonic tone of the vocals, and Cake even manages to drop the F bomb. Also a nice couple of guitar solos.
8) Stickshifts and Safetybelts- Nice little nothing song about wanting to be close to your girlfriend while driving. Nice little 'driving' guitar riff.
9) Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps- Another cover, I'm not sure who by tho. Has a tango-y feel to the verse, and a cool upstroke feel in the chorus. Nice song.
10) It's Coming Down- This is kind of bland. There's not much that makes it stand out in the album.
11) Nugget- Semi-political song that features the chorus "Shut the **** up". Again, it's fun hearing McCrea say it with such little emotion.
12) She'll Come Back To Me- Really sweet that features some pedal steel guitar and really good vocal work (i.e. singing) from McCrea. One of my favorites.
13) Italian Leather Sofa- Best song on the album. It has a spastic trumpet solo, a great main riff, catchy melodies, and great lyrics, and changes direction at least three times. Awesome.
14) Sad Songs and Waltzes- Another cover, this time of a Willie Nelson song. It's hard to tell if McCrea is being sincere or sarcastic as he croons "It's good thing that I'm not a star/you don't know how lucky you are." Nice closer for the album.
All in all I'll give this album a 3/5. I highly recommend downloading some Cake if you haven't heard them before. Their style is very different, and if you don't like it then you will not like their albums. Enjoy!
