Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Random Album Review #11


Each week I am going to write a short (under 200 word) review for an album from my collection chosen at random by iTunes. You can expect anything from Slayer to Salmonella Dub to (Ravi) Shankar and that is all part of the fun. Enjoy.

Week 11: Cake – Showroom Of Compassion (2011)
Country: USA / Alternative rock, Indie rock, Pop/rock


Goofball alt-rock alumnus Cake returned after seven silent years in 2011 with Showroom of Compassion. Could a band that, despite their impressive collection of albums, will always be remembered for their hit ‘The Distance’ actually go the distance? The answer – in album form – is a resounding “Yes”. The album is peppered with a series of solid tunes that starts with single ‘Long Time’ and culminates in the blaxploitation pizzazz of ‘Moustache Man (Wasted)’. There is a knowingly awkward charm to a group of grown men who can sing songs about Italian men and teenage pregnancy (as in on songs ‘Italian Man’ and ‘Teenage Pregnancy’ respectively). Things do slow down on the B-side as the band slides into an adult-contemporary groove. It is evident that this is an album for Cake the band first and foremost, and if you’re along for the ride then you had better keep up or go home. After seven long years Cake are back; not in it for the acclaim, just for the good times to be had. It’s been a long time, indeed.

Rating: A-
For fans of: Weezer, Presidents Of The United States Of America, Ween

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