CAKE
Showroom of Compassion
by Armeney Derderian
With this newest treat from the wonderful world of CAKE, many folks seem to have highly mixed opinions of what appears to be their newest direction. Thankfully, it is more than evident that the half wits boasting negative commentary are just that- half wits. Cake's recent album displays a tasteful use of each instrument in interlocking arrangements of melodies. Like a game of hot potato, your ear never focuses on one melody for more than a few bars. Normally this would be hectic and confusing, but the way Cake does it makes perfect sense, and shows off one of their biggest strengths: tasteful arrangements.
Showroom Of Compassion is a huge tip of the hat to the classic Cake, while simultaneously pushing new boundaries and delving into uncharted territory. John McCreas use of reverb is a step out of Cake's comfort zone, but artfully executed, while the use of acoustic guitar brings us back to the days of Cake's original album Motorcade of Generosity.
Mustache man is the clear anthem for this album. It is hands down the most powerful track, musically and lyrically. The opening guitar hook sets the tone that this track is going to be one bad ass son of a bitch, and it only gets better from there. Vince DiFuore utilizes every aspect of his musicianship, using his trumpet lines as a melodic statement, a sound effect, a complex rhythmic tool. We hear everything we want to hear- from trumpet sirens to some guy yelling about trying to sleep (a nice touch for fooling us into thinking Cake is just another garage band jamming at odd hours of the night). If you haven't been listening to this album, you are only wasting time.