Cake has been around since 1994 and they have released a total of five albums including "Pressure Chief." I am a huge Cake fan and I own all of there albums and "Pressure Chief" was a huge dissapointment. This is not exactly a bad album, but compared to Cake's other excellent albums (hint: Fashion Nugget and Comfort Eagle)it just isn't as good. Cake has seem to lost there edge and the music doesn't seem as full, or as crafty. While this album isn't horrible I will say right off the bat that it isn't very good.
Members - John McCrea - Vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboard, percussion
Vincent DiFiore - Trumpet, melodice, keyboard, percussion
Xan McCurdy - electric & acoustic guitar, bass, drums, keyboard
Gabriel Nelson - Bass, keyboard, drums,
When I first heard this album I was dissapointed, but I hoped that it would grow on me just like a lot of albums. Unfortunately while some songs grew on me just a little bit, I still feel that this isn't a very good album. "Pressure Chief" is definately an expiremental album, it uses keyboards, moogs, electronic effects and trumpets. The only problem with this is that Cake overdoes things. Cake is an alt/pop or an alt/rock band that makes catchy songs and have very clever lyrics. While about two thirds of these songs are catchy there is something missing. Sometimes in music you don't need a lot of electronic effects and synths. The problem with "Pressure Chief" is that there are too many non needed synths, and electronic effects. These sounds ruin songs like "Carbon Monoxide" and "Waiting." On the otherhand the synths can sound good like in the very well done "Dime." All in all I think that the extra synth effects don't mix well with the music.
Another way Cake is usually recognized is by John McCrea's monotone vocal delivery. McCrea actually signs on most of these songs and doesn't use his monotone delivery. This is upsetting to me because the monotone vocals really gave Cake something unique, and the vocals mixed well with the music. Here, the vocals can get annoying an whiney, on songs like 'Waiting" "Tougher Than It Is" and "Palm of Your Hand." McCrea sings on about two thirds of these tracks and I really think that the songs would sound better without the singing. The vocals can actually ruin a few tracks, but if you can get used to it or don't even notice it then it shouldn't be a problem.
I guess you could say that Cake is using a ton of instruments, but it really isn't working out to well. Cake have added the keyboards in and put the mandolin away. I used to love Cake because there songs were simple, witty, and catchy. Now the songs seem sort of bland and uninspired. The music isn't terrible but these songs have no edge, or not a lot of thought. A good sign is that Cake has kept the trumpet which keeps there music sharp and unique, but mixing in too many synths just makes a lot of these songs lifeless. I think that Cake thought by adding the synths they would make there sound more full, but it actually is worse because the songs sound bland, and they don't mix well with the vocals.
Even though there are a lot of downsides to this album there is still some good songs. "Wheels" is a fantastic opener and it sounds like a song from one of there previous albums. It has a great trumpet line and features great vocals. "Take It All Away" is a mellow track with great lyrics. "Dime" is a very nice song even though its main feature is the electronic effects. "End Of The Movie" might be my favorite track off of the album, it has very clever lyrics and it is a quiet folish track. "Carbon Monoxide" is a great guitar based song and it is the most rockish song off of the album.
Cake has some good tracks on the album, but nothing amazing. The good tracks can't save the album because Cake tried to put in to many synths and it really just didn't work. I suppose if you like the synths, than this album is for you. "No Phone" is a good example of how most of this album sounds. Once again "Pressure Chief" has some good solid tracks, but the whole album seems dull and uninspired. The lyrics are still good, but it's nothing amazing.
Overall this album is just a yawn. If you liked the single "No Phone" than you will probably enjoy this album, but if not than this isn't for you. "Pressure Chief" can seem good at some points, but overall this album just doesn't do it for me. This album isn't awful but it isn't anything special.
"Pressure Chief" is by far my least favorite Cake album, but it is still mediocre. If you're new to Cake I would suggest "Fashion Nugget" and don't bother with this. If your looking for some synth/pop than this is for you, but if you want some good, witty, simple rock songs than I would suggest older Cake albums. While "Pressure Chief" isn't a complete disaster it is nothing to get excited about.
Overall Rating : 2.5/5 (mediocre)
Pros :
Some good standout tracks
catchy songs
good lyrics
Cons :
vocals
synths
dull and boring at some points
Recomended Tracks:
"Wheels"
"Take It All Away"
"End Of The Movie"
