CAKE
SHOWROOM OF COMPASSION
JANUARY 11, 2011
This is the sixth edition from cake and first release since "pressure chief" in 2004. "Federal Funding", "Long Time" and "Got To Move" give the vibe of lack-luster lyrics and laid-back, almost drooping eyed feel to start the cd off. "whats now is now" begins to pick up the pace with experimental sounds that flow throughout the song. the bass and drums have always been a running theme in every cake track since the beginning of the band but with the additional sounds it gives new light to this album.
"Mustache Man" accelerates the cd with full-on lyrics and guitar sounds that have not been heard since duane eddy hit it big with "Rebel-Rouser", "Peter Gunn" and "Dance with the Guitar Man". There is a two-minute instrumental punctuation mark called "teenage pregnancy" which gives off the feel of where we are in the world of kids having kids.
"Sick of You" is the first single from "showroom of compassion" and has catchy lyrics that can linger with you for the rest of the day. John McCrea is quoted on Wikipedia saying that the lyrics go full circle from hating people out of reach that come all around to hating people close to you.
The band touches on even new sounds and rocks out on "Easy to Crash". the symbols accessorize the second part of the song while Pauli Baldi lays down a rhythm track that is the best the band has offered. gabe nelson and baldi have found a connection that can only expand the bands sound.
The remaining three songs seem to be an experiment with John McCrea stretching his vocals during the winter. The lyrics give the feel that McCrea wrote this during a holiday of over-advertisement and fake smiles. The winter months must have been dark with despair and in much need of sunshine and spring.
Overall it is a listen in determination not to repeat the same previous five cd releases. Stepping away from the old and opening up to the new is the direction this album will jostle the band to new highs.
RUSTY
1/11/11