It’s been five years since Cake released a new album…but the wait is over. The Sacramento band serves it up with it’s new release Showroom Of Compassion. With it’s funky up front bass and pumping horns, Cake has a very unique sound…and Showroom Of Compassion keeps the quirky Cake spirit alive. I guess the reason I personally enjoy Cake is because their music is just… fun ! And the Cali quintet keeps the fun going on Showroom Of Compassion. The album starts off with the track “Federal Funding”, a song talking about… federal funding ? Yes… it is, but it really works. “Long Time” is next … kinda synth laced bumping throwback. It’s really fun to hear how these guys mix sounds together and “Long Time” is a great example. A little breathy synth, some mexican sounding horns, some slamming bass, just an odd mix of sounds really working well together. Then come “Got To Move” and “What’s Now Is Now”. Two solid tracks (def. not my favs) that set the table for my favorite track on the disc. “Mustache Man” is a really cool funk fest. Right from the start the horns really set this track off. The track just skips along with a really cool vibe…pull out your whistle and hit the dance floor ! “Teenage Pregnancy” is the next track, kind of dark and dramatic, it changes the pace a bit and again sets up the next track very well…. “Sick of You” is the kind of song Cake fans have longed for… I could see this being a great sing-a-long at a live show. The title pretty much says it all… not very deep, but fun as hell. This one will stick in your head for days ! The next track is “Easy To Crash”… sounds pretty fluffy, but it’s making a big statement. A tale of what can happen when people get caught up in themselves and don’t pay attention to the folks running the show…. humm that sounds kind of familiar doesn’t it.
“Easy To Crash” lyrics…
clouds hung hugely and oppressively
over our busy little cars
clouds hung hugely and oppressively
we didn’t notice
we didn’t care
we didn’t notice
driving along in our luxury cars
down to our pretty city of stars
down to our pretty city of stars (stars in our eyes)
money in pockets (clouds on tv, tucked in their pocket)
you know
it would be easy
so easy
it would be easy
it would be easy
so easy
it would be easy to crash
school teachers, bakers, bankers, congressmen
stargazers didn’t see a thing
stock brokers, singers, dancers, architechts (stars in our eyes)
we didn’t notice
we didn’t care (clouds on tv)
(tucked in the sockets)
you know
it would be easy
so easy
it would be easy
it would be easy
so easy
it would be easy to crash
it would be easy
so easy
it would be easy
it would be easy
so easy
it would be easy
it would be easy
so easy
it would be easy
it would be easy
so easy
it would be easy to crash
The disc finishes up with “Bound Away”, “The Winter”, and “Italian Guy”. “The Winter” is by far the best of the last three tracks. “Italian Guy” is a throw away track in my opinion but “Bound Away” is pretty solid. All in all, I liked Showroom Of Compassion. Sure, there are a couple of tracks I didn’t care for but the album as a whole is very good. I would suggest you check it out and see if it’s your cup-o-tea…
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