Cage The Elephant’s sophomore album was released last week.
Thank You, Happy Birthday has twelve-tracks with one “hidden song.”
One thing that Cage The Elephant doesn’t have is polish.
None of the songs on this album sound particularly fine-tuned or reworked. It was a charming quality for their self-titled LP that helped the song “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked” immensely.
This album has even less polish and is much more sporadic.
If you liked the simplicity of “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked,” then this album might not be for you.
For the most part, this album sounds more like something from The Fratellis than the old Cage The Elephant.
That’s not to say that the album is bad. It’s actually fairly good, with some high-energy songs.
The sound changes as the album continues, and the effect is more eclectic and diverse than bad.
It’s unlikely however that every song will appeal to everyone.
“Sell Yourself” is fast-paced and at times abrasive, while the next track on the album “Rubber Ball,” is slow paced and more lyric-based. If you listen to The Libertines, you’ll love this song and probably the rest of the album.
“Shake Me Down” was the first single released and in all honesty sounds a bit like it’s trying too hard to be another “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked.”
However, it’s not immediately catchy and instead of being the “star” of the album, it’s just something to be glossed-over in favor of some of the better songs.
I personally didn’t like this album, but I recognize that it is not bad. I just simply don’t care for how Cage The Elephant’s sound has evolved.
It just is not my taste.
If you enjoy the bands I’ve mentioned above or you are a devoted CTE fan, you may like it.
One thing I will praise is the lyrics.
Nearly every song has well written lyrics that fit perfectly and hit the target, with the straightforward simplicity that their EP had.
Granted, that does not apply to every song and some people may have trouble actually identifying what those lyrics are (Matt Shultz isn’t exactly the best at articulating).
“Always Something” is one of the songs I like. It opens up with, “Early in the morning, rise to meet the sun, work so hard to feed your wife, no time to show her loving.
And in the madness of the evening, with diamonds in your hand, came home an hour early, caught her with another man.”
This song is the spiritual successor to “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked.”
The singer comments on how no matter how much good one does, life will do bad back.
Best lyrics of the song?
“You’re floating like a feather; why can’t you see you can’t control the weather?”
If that doesn’t sum up what it’s like to feel like life is against you, nothing does.
For those who enjoy more complicated, less obvious lyrics, listen to the hidden track on “Flow,” which is really just an alternate version of “Right Before My Eyes,” another song on the album.
This song is full of metaphor upon metaphor where “guns” and “gold” are synonymous with shooting up drugs.
This album is evidence of Cage The Elephant’s growth.
Their sound has changed and Matt Shultz’s voice has evolved with them.
But if you’re hoping for something like their first album, you’ll be disappointed.
Either way, give it a listen and decide for yourself.
This album will be hit-or-miss. For me it was miss, but others may love it.
Upcoming releases: the biggest thing coming out this month is The Decemberist’s new album, “The King Is Dead,” on January 18. Keep an eye out.
Richard Solomon can be reached at richard.solomon@spartans.ut.edu.