(Alternative) Cake-Comfort Eagle

[e p]

Comfort Eagle

http://www.altgeek.org/digitalstatic/Movies/ComfortEagle.jpg


History
Cake was formed in Sacramento, California in 1992 by vocalist/songwriter John McCrea, who'd recently returned home after spending a few years in Los Angeles, unsuccessfully trying to break into the music business.

Cake is an unknown alternative band. Their music is simple, yet complex. It is hard to explain, yet those that have listened may know what I mean. Cake's simple choice of melodies and ability to blend their instruments is one of their talents. Another would be John McCrea's sometimes bland, sometimes emotional, vocals. Perhaps another would be their use of trumpets and another would be their driving bass. All in all, Cake is very unique and seem to offer a style of their own.

Tracks

Opera Singer
Meanwhile, Rick James...
Shadow Stabbing
Short Skirt/Long Jacket
Commissioning a Symphony in C
Arco Arena
Comfort Eagle
Long Line of Cars
Love You Madly
Pretty Pink Ribbon
World of Two

Opera Singer

Fast drum work starts off this catchy opener. Simple guitar lines and pushing bass keep this song driving. The verse is primarily about the narrator being an Opera Singer and his adventures. Background organs and horn accompaniment keep this song fresh. One of the best tracks on the album. 5/5

Meanwhile, Rick James...

Despite what the title may suggest, this is not a "super freaky" romp. It is actually a laid back song with bass and organ/piano being the dominant instruments. Reverby guitar and echoing vocals give it an interesting feel. Personally it reminds me of a rainy day. Violin, too.

Shadow Stabbing

Catchy lyrics and acoustic guitar parts. Percussion-oriented. Laid-back yet driving(true Cake). Low 4 possibly but I'm giving it a: 3/5

Short Skirt/Long Jacket

Trumpets and bass driven. Catchy verse-riff. Vocals drive the song for the most part. One of the catchiest and "rockiest" tracks on the album. It has small Latin influences. 5/5

Symphony in C

The instruments mainly are background to the main part of the story, a man who tells his tale of the Symphony that he heard. Great vocals and catchy song, though a bit bland at times where it should be, the bands keeps it going. 4/5

Arco Arena

Guitar driven instrumental. Extremely rythmic and riff-heavy. Good use of the organ/electric guitars to provide an eerie sense to it. If it wre streched into 3+ minutes it would definately be a high 4 or 5 but it is only 1:30. 3/5

Comfort Eagle

Heavy. Pulsing drums and buss/guitar in unison. Great use of all the band members' ability to sing. McCrea does a great job on this title track with his soinging/lyrics. Eastern sounding at times. Catchy, heavy, distorted, great. 5/5

Long Line of Cars

Often Drifting at times, yet pulled together with a multiple brass instruments. Dominated by trumpets, vocals, and oddly, a shaker. A song of bitterness and spite, I believe. 3.5/5

Love You Madly

A simple love song. Once again ryhthmic drums, pushing bass. Vocals and hand claps add to the excitement, while the horn riff pushes it into a peak. 5/5

Pretty Pink Ribbon

Easy going song about devotion. I've never quite understood the lyrics or the song in general. This song does nothing for me. 3/5

World of Two

Serene. Little percussion. Tambourine. Occasional bass, but mostly organs and vocals. Nice way to end the album. 4/5


Overall I would rate this a: 5/5


I believe it comes only second (maybe first) to Cake's Fashion Nugget, which also is deserving of a 5/5. Great album for new and old fans alike.

Samples (http://www.mtv.com/bands/az/cake/295826/album.jhtml)


:thumb:

[keep on phishin']

I've been wanting to get into Cake for some time now. I think now I'm going to download some songs.

Good Review as well.

[The JoZ]

Cake is awesome, from the singles I've heard.

Now I have a reason to pick up an album

[Per Ardua Ad Astra]

I love this album.
This is the only alternative album that i can listen to, i love it.

[Dancin' Man]

The biggest flaw with Cake is the trumpet playing. It's not very good. Not bad, but if they had a really good trumpeteer it would up the music that much more. Great album and band.

[e p]

Thanks guys.

I also edited a link where you can listen to some samples. It's up top ^

[guitari265]

Cake's awesome. I definitely think this is a band that you should download a few songs here and there rather than get the albums because there is a lot of filler on some of the CD's. Overall, I like 'em a lot though.

[sr800bkBassist]

my cousin from Indiana is a huge fan.

i like their bassist a lot.

[Scott Herren]

How is the album 5/5 when only 4 songs of 11 are 5/5? This is far from a 5/5. I'd say more of a 2.8/5.

[manuscriptreplica]

Their bassist is one of the reasons I became one myself.

[e p]

How is the album 5/5 when only 4 songs of 11 are 5/5? This is far from a 5/5. I'd say more of a 2.8/5.


But you'll notice that a lot of the songs are 4/4.

The few 3/5 songs are rated for shortness, not talent. Were they stretched out they would be 4+.

Like I said before, this is some of Cake's best work. But keep in mind this is obviously all my opinion. This album relies on the power of all the tracks rather than a few. That's why its a 5/5.

[Dark Hero]

I'll look into this.

[manuscriptreplica]

But you'll notice that a lot of the songs are 4/4.

The few 3/5 songs are rated for shortness, not talent. Were they stretched out they would be 4+.

Like I said before, this is some of Cake's best work. But keep in mind this is obviously all my opinion. This album relies on the power of all the tracks rather than a few. That's why its a 5/5.

It's an easy way to get into the genre, which is why it gets a 5/5 from me.

[Gibbers3095]

I like Cake quite a bit, but I think Fashion Nugget was definitely far better.

[OrbDragon]

Great review...this is one of the most fun bands around in my opinion.

[Scythe404]

Nice review. They are a criminally underrated band in my opinion. Any Alt fan should at least listen to an album.

[Dancin' Man]

I like Cake quite a bit, but I think Fashion Nugget was definitely far better.


Seconded.

[e p]

I like Cake quite a bit, but I think Fashion Nugget was definitely far better.


Seconded.




I believe it comes only second (maybe first) to Cake's Fashion Nugget...



:thumb:



I'm well aware.

:thumb:

[FillInTheBlankHere___]

This is one of my favourite CDs of all time, and the one that broke me out of my mainstream listening ways. :thumb:

It well deserves another good listen on my part, I haven't been listening to it frequently for almost 3 years. I worshipped John McCrea for a *very* long time.

[Kwash2]

Their bassist is one of the reasons I became one myself.
Agreed.

[Tangy zizzle]

Cake aren't unknown. They're actually one of the bigger "alternative" acts.

[manuscriptreplica]

When they are on MTV they are not unknown