CAKE
FASHION NUGGET
SEPTEMBER 17, 1996
"Frank Sinatra" draws the listener in to the feeling of sitting inside a globe that has been shakin' with Sinatra as background music. Lyrically it is reminiscent of Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" that takes you on a magic trip. The band never allows for repetition as they push onward so when you think you have grasped all the band has they give you a bigger nugget to embrace.
"The Distance" is very set on a course with an abundance of lyrics to soothe those of us who hate repetitive songs that fade to black and only leave a memory of one or two lines. "Jesus Built My Hot Rod" by Ministry is lyrically lacking but is musically a twin with a more aggressive vice grip. Greg Brown, Cake's guitarist, penned this fabulously arranged and well orchestrated track.
The middle of the CD has a direct impact on the standard rock that has been left behind with the grunge craze. They are everything that has been left astray but with added jazz/blues infused rock. That cannot be more true when the listener comes upon track # 7, "I Will Survive", a traditional long standing mark from the '70's disco empowering songs that has been used as a theme within the gay circles. The band puts its own twist on it that can only come from Cake. Profanity would never have allowed the song to be so well known from Gloria Gaynor but Cake lets it fly at the most appropriate moment.
"Sad Songs And Waltzes" make the full round of musical styles untouched with a bit of country infused jazz that is expressive of the time between the jazz/blues of the early 50's and Elvis Presley's transformation of the music industry. This will leave you wanting to hit replay for another helping of Cake.
Fashion nugget has a couple lengthy tracks that provide the listener with the full impact of what cake is musically all about. The stories that explode in every song as well as the good feel without becoming an easy listening tribute to 70's AM radio have opened the band up and will surely draw new fans.
11/29/10
RUSTY
9/17/96