Cake - Showroom of Compassion

Sacramento, California's own Cake are back with their first studio effort in over 6 years, Showroom of Compassion. The follow up to 2004's Pressure Chief finds the alt-rockers not deviating much from their laid back, fun brand of mellow alt-rock that has garnered them plenty of fans over the years.

The disc starts off with "Federal Funding" a fun, laid back rocker that features the unique vocal stylings of lead singer John McCrea, who is known for his half-sung lyrics, making it feel like he's just talking over the music which fits in perfectly with the laid back California persona that each of the band members represent. "Long Time" features lightly toned synth arrangements in the background with a bevy of guitars and drums to back it all up. "Got to Move" is a pleasant, laid back affair with a slow, steady guitar pattern that allows the song to coast along without much friction along the way. "Mustache Man" starts off with a few toots of the trumpet that give the song a little party flare and allow the album as a whole to perk up a bit.

The album's second half features the piano tinged effort, "Teenage Pregnancy" that also adds the trumpet in the mix to give it that diverse, dynamic grit that makes the song stand on its own. My favorite song off the album is the disc's first single, "Sick of You" a melodic bombast that packs it on with guitars and John's wordplay style of singing that make the song have a very cheerful nature despite the title of the song. "Bound Away" is a country inspired song that presents the band in a different light with John's laid back vocal power fitting in perfectly with the country crowd. We get ready to shut down here with "The Winter", a mid tempo, melodic alt-rocker that gives off a feeling of calm and melancholy, and is the perfect song to listen to as you watch the snowfall or if you're out shoveling your driveway. "Italian Guy" ends it here with a fun, entertaining track that gives the listener exactly what they paid for and a experience that is very rewarding. Cake have always been that band that has had their own unique style that makes them stand out from the crowd, and they're also formidable human beings as well. This album was recorded using 100% solar energy from their recording studio out in Sacramento, the same method that Jack Johnson used when he recorded his last two albums. Having a band that makes good music and is socially conscious about the world around them shows that they are true and genuine souls.

In retrospect, a solid and passable effort here from Cake, who take their unorthodox blend of alt rock to another level and throw curveballs our way with country among other influences, and continue to be that same band they were when we heard them for the first time years ago.

                                                                                                                            Album Score: 3/5

Track Listing:

1. Federal Funding
2. Long Time
3. Got to Move
4. What's Now Is Now
5. Mustache Man
6. Teenage Pregnancy
7. Sick of You
8. Easy to Crash
9. Bound Away
10. The Winter
11. Italian Guy