Whimsical indie legends Cake return after six years with new record ‘Showroom of Compassion’ – and it doesn’t disappoint delivering the unmistakable sound of the masters of quirk with a few pleasant departures.
When Short Skirt/Long Jacket appeared on an advert for the Ipod shuffle recently, it was probably a reminder for fans of how long it had been since they had heard new song from the band.
But gladly it was not a poignant memory but a sign of things to come as Cake returned to the music scene with a new album, video, and shock-horror, some international tour dates.
The 11-track album was released in the UK yesterday [Tuesday 11 January] with typical random song names such as Federal Funding, Mustache Man (Wasted) and Italian Guy, their unusual lyrics and unique sound are back with familiar style.
The California group’s trademark sound of funky rhythms, trumpets blaring and psychedelic guitar riffs comfortably cradle their comically down-beat lyrics.
Federal Funding is the first track in which frontman John McCrea’s drolly sung lyrics condemn the corruption of banking and corporate fatcats. The animated video reflects this as men in suits build an imposing coliseum against a bleak desert landscape while the band plays.
Long Time is slower and melodic, Got To Move is a sweet-sounding tune about a less than sweet girl.
What’s Now is Now is a soothing lullaby of reassurance to forget the past and begin again.
Mustache Man (Wanted) is one of the funkier, more upbeat tunes with Cake-style obscure lyrics about a mysterious moustached man, it has a hint of Meanwhile, Rick James.. off Comfort Eagle.
Teenage Pregnancy is an acoustic track with a heavier, almost blues edge as the drums and guitar have a heavier sound over the strange stylophone-sound keyboard.
Bound Away is a lilting countryesque song about the band’s travels, perhaps in anticipation of a more gruelling schedule (McCrea has touring is not one of his favourite parts of being in a band).
The last song Italian Guy features a string arrangement that manages to work alongside their regular trumpet interludes.
Cake’s previous work is peppered in so many popular movies even if you don’t think you have heard them before, you probably have. And you probably quite like them, as it is hard to find something unpleasant about their distinctive sound, and their new offering is no different.
The songs are a mix of thoughts, stories and relationships told through Cake’s eclectic mix of sounds, and although not a break away from previous work, it doesn’t need to be when it sounds this fun.
Louise in NI 