Cake - Comfort Eagle
(Columbia)
Cake are the foremost (and only) purveyors of whitebread country-rap funk. While this may seem like a bit of an odd, and... well... stupid combination, they manage to be both fun and serious, and really likeable. Unfortunately, they're often dismissed as a one-hit wonder sort of band, being known only for their asinine 1995 hit, "The Distance" (and if you don't immediately know what I'm talking about, say: "he's going the distance, he's going for speed" in a dry monotone and you'll probably remember it). Their new album reinforces their image while also shattering it. And it's pretty sweet, baby.
A clicking, metronomic drumbeat opens the record up, followed by guitar and trumpet with singer/speaker John McRea saying "I am an opera singer." Sure, it sounds pretty stupid on paper, but when you're listening to it, everything fits together. This is followed by the bizarre "Meanwhile, Rick James...," a song which is melancholy, creepy, and funny at the same time. Check these lyrics: "meanwhile Rick James takes her nude/and there's nothing I can do." If it were any other band, this song would fail. As it is, it's one of the strongest tracks on the album.
Cake have always been fans, as well, of the background chant. On half of the songs, there is backup singing from all three other band members; while this manages to work for their favor on some tracks (the excellent "Comfort Eagle" and "Pretty Pink Ribbon"), it makes "Shadow Stabbing" fall short. What could have been a great salsa-tinged country number (I know, I know...) becomes something akin to a Mighty Mighty Bosstones track. This isn't for lack of great lyrics, though; the song starts off with "adjectives on the typewriter/he moves his words like a prizefighter/the frenzied pace of the man inside/the cell." John knows how to pen a good lyric, and while often goofy, "Shadow Stabbing" remains one of his best lyrical songs to date.
"Commissioning A Symphony in C" is easily the standout of the album. It also strays the most from their formula, so... take that as you may. In any case, it's a kick ass track with funny/sad lyrics and a beautiful organ part. Booyah.
Something else to be said of this release: it's pretty much bereft of filler. Unlike previous albums, which have always had 14 tracks, this one only has eleven--so, do the math. No filler. None. "Streamlined to perfection", is how I like to think of it. It's a pleasant change from their last disc, Prolonging the Magic, which was an iffy release that didn't live up to my expectations. This might just be the best thing that Cake has released to date. However, if you're wondering what the deal is with me only giving it a ten, it's because this is really only for people who are either fans and/or already enjoyed their music. Start off with Fashion Nugget, get this one, then Motorcade of Generosity, then buy Prolonging the Magic. Yeah, that's about right.
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