Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Hard Rock, Pop Rock, Rock
Label Number: 7 82125-2
© 1990 Atlantic Records
*No professional reviews are available for this release.
tags: various artists, navy seals, original motion picture soundtrack, 1990, flac,
May 30, 2025
Brad Fiedel/Various Artists - True Lies: Music From The Motion Picture (1994)
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Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Funk Metal, Grunge, Rock, Film Score
Label Number: EK 64437
© 1994 Epic Soundtrax
The most notable song on this soundtrack album is Living Colour's remake of Cream's late 1960s hard rock classic "Sunshine Of Your Love," which is heard in two different mixes. But primarily, the album consists of Brad Fiedel's orchestral score to the Arnold Schwarzenegger action picture, which is characteristically bombastic and portentous.
tags: brad fiedel, various artists, true lies, music from the motion picture, soundtrack, ost, 1994, flac,
Various Artists - Strange Days: Music From The Motion Picture (1995)
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Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Alternative Rock, Trip-Hop, New Age
Label Number: EK 67226
© 1995 Epic Soundtrax
The soundtrack to the apocalyptic thriller Strange Days gathers a bevy of alternative rock acts, most better-known for critical kudos than their commercial clout, meaning that it's a treat for true music fans but of little interest to casual listeners. Kicking things off with politico-rockers Skunk Anansie and lead singer Skin's corrosive vocals on "Selling Jesus" (the act also contributes "Feed"), the album is aggressive and chaotic, capturing the film's tense, end-of-the-millennium setting. Highlights include Tricky's loping, hypnotic "Overcome"; Dream Academy alumnus Kate Gibson's lovely reading of Leonard Cohen's "Dance Me to the End of Love"; and Satchel's skittish "Walk in Freedom." There's also the odd-couple pairing of Prong and Ray Manzarek breathing new life into the venerable, classic "Strange Days," and a fiery performance by folk-rapper Me Phi Me on "hereWEcome." Of interest to completists will be Peter Gabriel (with Deep Forest) doing "While the Earth Sleeps," and the curious will want to check out actress Juliette Lewis' passable performance on "Hardly Wait."
tags: various artists, strange days, music from the motion picture, ost, soundtrack, 1995, flac,
May 29, 2025
Various Artists - The Very Best of MTV Unplugged 3 (2004)
Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Acoustic Rock
Label Number: 982 397-1
© 2004 MTV Music Television/Universal
*No professional reviews are available for this release.
tags: various artists, the very best of mtv unplugged 3, 2004, flac,
Various Artists - Resident Evil: Apocalypse (Music From & Inspired By The Original Motion Picture) (2004)
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*European pressing.
Contains 18 tracks total.
Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Metalcore, Industrial, Gothic Metal, Groove Metal, Post Grunge, Gothic Rock
Label Number: RR 8230-2
© 2004 Roadrunner Records
Resident Evil: Apocalypse cows predictably to the film's target audience, unleashing a torrent of teenage boy-friendly alt metal. As a moneymaker, it's unscrupulous. And yet the aggression, mania, and generally apocalyptic tone of this material fits well with a movie based on a video game about blowing away crazy zombies. The usual suspects populate dark corners, including professional scary guys like Slipknot and Rammstein, as well as middling work from types like the Used and Cold. But there are also previously unreleased remixes from A Perfect Circle ("Outsider") and Rob Zombie ("Girl on Fire"). Underappreciated Italian goth metal outfit Lacuna Coil contributes "Swamped" from their 2002 effort Comalies, and even if Cradle of Filth's "Nymphetamine" is as cheesy and decadent as you'd expect with a name like that, it's bolstered by guest vocals from Leaves' Eyes frontwoman Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull. After all, what horror/actioner would be complete without a Krull reference? Other notable inclusions on Resident Evil: Apocalypse include "Join Me In Death" from Finnish goth poppers H.I.M., Deftones covering Duran Duran's "Chauffeur" quite capably, and a typically chilly trip-hop piece from Massive Attack.
tags: various artists, resident evil apocalypse, music from and inspired by the original motion picture, soundtrack, ost, 2004, flac,
May 28, 2025
Various Artists - The Beach (Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2000)
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Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Electronic, House, Pop Rock, Trance
Label Number: 4344 31079 2
© 2000 London Records
Like the soundtracks for Danny Boyle's other films, the music collected for his adaptation of Alex Garland's novel The Beach is a hip mix of British and American rock and electronica. Asian Dub Foundation's "Return of Django," Moby's "Porcelain," Leftfield's "Snake Blood," and the Hardfloor remix of Mory Kante's "Yeke Yeke" are among the album's electronic highlights, while Blur's "On Your Own (Crouch End Broadway Mix)" and New Order's "Brutal" add a touch of British pop to the set. "Business as Usual" is a collaboration between Barry Adamson (whose albums seem more filmic than most scores) and the film's star, Leonardo DiCaprio; composer Angelo Badalamenti and Orbital collaborate on "Orbital Mix." All Saints and Sugar Ray contribute the previously unreleased tracks "Pure Shores" and "Spinning Away," respectively, making The Beach an entertaining, if somewhat scattered, collection of music featured in the film.
tags: various artists, the beach, motion picture soundtrack, ost, 2000, flac,
Various Artists - Not Another Teen Movie: Music From The Motion Picture (2001)
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Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Industrial, Post Grunge, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal
Label Number: 9 48250-2
© 2001 Maverick
Keeping with the theme of the film NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE and its relentless parodying of teen movies from the preceding two decades, the accompanying soundtrack ups the ante with '80s classics covered by '90s alt-rock acts. Depeche Mode and New Order fare best as Smashing Pumpkins ("Never Let Me Down Again") and Scott Weiland ("But Not Again") tackle DM while Orgy ("Blue Monday") and Stabbing Westward ("Bizarre Love Triangle") pump the decibels up for New Order. One-hit wonders also get the nod, whether it's Teutonic popster Nena (Goldfinger's ska-driven "99 Red Balloons"), Brits Modern English (Mest's staccato "I Melt With You") or Soft Cell (Marilyn Manson's eerie "Tainted Love").
Elsewhere, Saliva interprets The Pretenders ("Message Of Love"), Good Charlotte puts a punk-pop spin on OMD ("If You Leave") and Muse pays homage to the Smiths ("Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want"). The quintessential nod to teen pop culture comes via Phantom Planet (featuring RUSHMORE's Jason Schwartzman) serving up a harmony-drenched version of Jackson Browne's "Somebody's Baby" (originally recorded for the Fast Times At Ridgemont High soundtrack).
Elsewhere, Saliva interprets The Pretenders ("Message Of Love"), Good Charlotte puts a punk-pop spin on OMD ("If You Leave") and Muse pays homage to the Smiths ("Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want"). The quintessential nod to teen pop culture comes via Phantom Planet (featuring RUSHMORE's Jason Schwartzman) serving up a harmony-drenched version of Jackson Browne's "Somebody's Baby" (originally recorded for the Fast Times At Ridgemont High soundtrack).
tags: various artists, not another teen movie, music from the motion picture, soundtrack, ost, 2001, flac,
May 27, 2025
Various Artists - The Cave (Soundtrack Album) (2005)
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Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Metalcore, Symphonic Metal, Groove Metal, Nü-Metal
Label Number: LKS 33816
© 2005 Lakeshore Records
*No professional reviews are available for this release
tags: various artists, the cave, soundtrack album. ost, 2005, flac,
Various Artists - The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2012)
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Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Alternative Rock, Electronic, Indie Pop, Pop Rock
Label Number: 531748-2
© 2012 Summit/Chop Shop Records
Since Breaking Dawn is the final installment of the Twilight Saga, it's fitting that the film's soundtrack is dominated by ballads that feel like a long goodbye to Bella, Edward, and Jacob. Despite opening with Passion Pit's relatively cheery "Where I Come From" -- one of the more overt nods to the series' mostly happy ending -- songs such as Pop Etc.'s "Speak Up" and Iko's "Heart of Stone" define The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn's music with their breathy harmonies, spare instrumentation, and ultra-earnest tone. The set sometimes threatens to become too maudlin and monotonous, but Ellie Goulding's "Bittersweet" and Feist's "Fire in the Water" add a spark of creativity to the proceedings. Likewise, St. Vincent's mischievous "The Antidote," which isn't just the most straightforwardly rock song here, but also a good deal heavier than anything on her previous album, Strange Mercy, provides enough playfully sinister vibes to remind everyone that this is a film about vampires. Interestingly, Breaking Dawn is less star-studded than some of the previous Twilight Saga soundtracks, with the notable exception of Green Day, whose "The Forgotten" sounds a bit like an Americanized version of Oasis' "Don't Look Back in Anger." As with the other volumes of the series' music, however, this collection provides a surprisingly good showcase for female, indie-ish talent (though Reeve Carney's "New for You" and James Vincent McMorrow's "Ghosts" close the gender gap somewhat). While Breaking Dawn isn't one of the more dynamic Twilight Saga soundtracks, it is one of the more emotive ones, and just may help fans get some closure as one of the biggest film franchises of the 2000s and 2010s comes to a close.
tags: various artists, the twilight saga, breaking dawn part 2, original motion picture soundtrack, ost, 2012, flac,
May 26, 2025
Convulse - Reflections (1994)
Country: Finland
Language: English
Genre:Death Metal
Label Number: NB 114-2
© 1994 Nuclear Blast
*No professional reviews are available for this release.
tags: convulse, reflections, 1994, flac,
Various Artists - Armageddon: The Album (1998)
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Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Pop Rock
Label Number: CK 69440
© 1998 Columbia
A would-be blockbuster soundtrack for a would-be blockbuster, Armageddon is a strange album, as far as carefully tailored soundtracks go. Sometime during production, Columbia evidently bet that Aerosmith, whom they recently acquired for millions of dollars, would be a big draw. That was before Nine Lives bombed and the group lost much of their teen following. Nevertheless, the album features no less than four Aerosmith tunes, including the singles "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" and "What Kind of Love Are You On," both of which are pretty standard latter-day Aerosmith songs that are outclassed not only by "Sweet Emotion," but even their hamfisted cover of "Come Together." Those four songs provide the core of an album that is clearly aimed at a "mature" audience -- well, with new songs from Shawn Colvin, Patty Smyth, Jon Bon Jovi, Trevor Rabin, and Journey (complete with new vocalist Steve Augeri), plus oldies by ZZ Top and Bob Seger, the album was never really intended for a young audience. Of course, stumbling post-grungsters Our Lady Peace and fledgling folk chanteuse Chantal Kreviazuk are added as attractions for younger audiences, but they don't add much to the stodgiest "event movie" soundtrack in memory. And that's really too bad, because if there's one audience that buys into event movies, it's adolescents -- and, for all of its many flaws, Godzilla at least knew that much.
tags: various artists, armageddon, the album, soundtrack, ost,1998, flac,
Various Artists - Saw (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2004)
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Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Electronic, Industrial, Film Score
Label Number: KOC-CD-9653
© 2004 Koch Records
Charlie Clouser's inky score anchors the soundtrack for Saw, 2004's somewhat unlikely horror hit. It's no surprise that industrial is the muse for Clouser, particularly outfits like Front Line Assembly (the churning, electronics-addled "Sturm") and Fear Factory ("Bite the Hand That Bleeds," which dovetails eerily into the film's plot). Saw, after all, is a twisty cinematic mindwarp of mysterious chambers, ugly mechanical implements, and dares to the death. There's also the soundtrack's brutal cover art, a human head strapped into a spiked mess of harness and sprocket. Clouser, the alt-metal remixer and occasional NIN bandmember, really nails it with his creaky, clammy score. "Cigarette," "Hello, Adam," and particularly "F**k This S*!t" blend chilling sounds with harsh percussion and deep-wound keyboard stabs; Clouser understands that Saw's horror only works with a heady amount of camp, and he draws from industrial music in the same way. When his music is over the top, it's riffing on the wannabe fearsomeness of so many contemporary industrial groups. Of course, in Saw, Clouser's tracks accompany some truly gruesome sights, so he's the winner.
tags: various artists, saw, original motion picture soundtrack, ost, 2004, flac,
May 25, 2025
Pale Saints - Slow Buildings (1994)
Country: United Kingdom
Genre: Shoegaze
Label Number: 9 45625-2
© 1994 4AD/Warner Bros. Records
A letdown can still be a strong record. Pale Saints' second LP In Ribbons (1992) was an instantly memorable gilded masterwork, as texturally splendid as it was jarring and creative. But then enigmatic singer Ian Masters walked, taking his songwriting and bass playing with him, as evidenced by his moody and momentous LP Spoonfed Hybrid. Slow Buildings is nonetheless proof that Pale Saints were wise to carry on with Meriel Barham stepping up to full-time vocalist and former Heart Throbs member Colleen Browne joining on bass. No question, Masters is missed. There's nothing here as starkly beautiful as "A Thousand Stars Burst Open," as breathtaking as "Hunted," as pulverizing as "Throwing Back the Apple," or as enveloping as the last four songs on The Comforts of Madness, Pale Saints' 1990 debut. And some of the songs on this album's last half fail to maintain the first half's compelling quality -- perhaps some of the 57 minutes could have been cut, though none of it is bad. However, the single "Fine Friend" is almost as entrancing and pretty as Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You" (to which it's often compared), as is the similar "One Blue Hill." The less manic Breeders fire of "Angel (Will You Be My?)" and "Under Your Nose" are nice and pointed, and best of all, the opening instrumental "King Fade" continues the band's fascinating ability to capture a disjointed, off-kilter, and dazzling "sea of sound." Hugh Jones shows again why he's one of the best producers of the '80s/'90s; his bass/drums mixes are impeccable, and he captures the sharpest guitar sounds known to man. (Guitarist Graeme Naysmith is a perfect foil; check out the detonations in the hypnotic "Henry.") Stripped of Masters' pop sense, these melodic lines are far more subtle, so more effort is required to get into Slow Buildings. Indeed, everything here does build slowly.
tags: pale saints, slow buildings, 1994, flac,
Souled American - Frozen (1994)
Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Alternative Country
Label Number: Moll7/EFA 12107
© 1994 Moll Tonträger
Maybe it's the way Joe Adducci's bass "lines" (for they are much, much less -- yet much, much more) hang in the night air. Perhaps it's guitarist/vocalist Chris Grigoroff's unearthly drawl extended -- usually painfully -- between sparse elements that are strangely reminiscent of folk songs. No matter what the reason, Frozen is simply one of the most appropriately titled collections of songs you'll likely lay ears on. This is the sound of country music moving like molasses in February -- or, rather, it's the sound of a band observing molasses in February and setting those observations to music. Souled American recorded this record (originally released in 1994 on the German label Moll) after the departure of its drummer and the remaining members' conscious choice to not replace him. Elemental to the extreme, the guitar, banjo, bass guitar, harmonica, and pedal steel are nearly stripped of their cultural musical associations and given a new sonic lease on life. The country twang in Grigoroff's voice (which often takes on the most heartbreaking Brian Wilson-esque falsetto) is so incongruous to the nearly ambient, sparsely textural guitar and bass sounds that are the framework for these songs, that one is forced to stop for just a moment more to reconcile the guitar sounds and patterns with anything resembling country or folk -- but it's there. Frozen is gorgeous if you give it enough time to chill you to the bone.
tags: souled american, frozen, 1994, flac,
Bal-Sagoth - A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria (1995)
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*First pressing.
Contains 9 tracks total.
Country: United Kingdom
Genre: Black Metal
Style: Symphonic Black Metal
Label Number: NIHIL 4CD
© 1995 Cacophonous Records
*No professional reviews are available for this release.
tags: bal sagoth, a black moon broods over lemuria, 1995, flac,
Bal-Sagoth - The Power Cosmic (1999)
Country: United Kingdom
Genre: Black Metal
Style: Symphonic Black Metal
Label Number: 27361 64212
© 1999 Nuclear Blast Records
On The Power Cosmic, their first album to be released domestically in the U.S. since their recording career began in 1995, English death-metallers Bal Sagoth blend the cruel symphonic elegance of Scandinavian black metal with fantasy/sci-fi-obsessed lyrics and the chilling Gothic overtones of countrymen Cradle of Filth. It all makes for a pretty original sound within the group's chosen genre, and a fine entry point for American audiences.
tags: bal sagoth, the power cosmic, 1999, flac,
Bal-Sagoth - The Chthonic Chronicles (2006)
Country: United Kingdom
Genre: Black Metal
Style: Symphonic Black Metal
Label Number: CDL0302CD
© 2006 Candlelight Records USA
From emo to post-grunge to screamo, introspection has been a prime ingredient of so much of the post-Nevermind
alternative rock of the '90s and 2000s. But one area of post-'80s rock
where introspection does not prevail is black metal. With their corpse
makeup, shock rock theatricality and odes to the Occult or paganism,
black metal bands often provide big doses of fantasy and escapism for
the folks in the mosh pit, and fantasy-based escapism is exactly what
one will find on Bal-Sagoth's The Chthonic Chronicles. This elaborate,
highly conceptual effort isn't the least bit introspective; combining
black metal with elements of power metal and progressive rock, The
Chthonic Chronicles underscores the ambitious nature of the symphonic
black metal style. But while other symphonic black metal discs are
obsessed with the Occult and satanic themes, The Chthonic Chronicles has
more of a sci-fi outlook. If black metal (like death metal) often
functions as the metal equivalent of a horror movie, this album has more
in common with Buck Rogers in the 25th Century or the Star Wars movies.
Some black metal purists have argued that Bal-Sagoth's work is too prog
for its own good, but then, an album like The Chthonic Chronicles was
not recorded with black metal purists in mind. Forceful yet melodic,
complex and intricate, this CD is not for those who believe that only
the harshest, most extreme black metal bands have validity. But someone
who is broad-minded enough to enjoy Dream Theater, Queensrÿche, and Rush as much as they enjoy Cradle of Filth and Dark Funeral will find The Chthonic Chronicles to be an excellent addition to Bal-Sagoth's catalog.
tags: bal sagoth, the chtonic chronicles, 2006, flac,
May 15, 2025
Trisha Covington - Call Me (1994)
*A photo of the disc is included in the RAR file.
Country: U.S.A.
Genre: R&B
Label Number: CK 57324
© 1994 Columbia
*No professional reviews are available for this release.
tags: trisha covington, call me, 1994, flac,
Various Artists - The Delinquents - Original Soundtrack (1990)
*A photo of the disc is included in the RAR file.
Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Rockabilly, Pop, Doo Wop, Stage & Screen
Label Number: HFCD 11
© 1990 PWL Records
*No professional reviews are available for this release.
tags: various artists, the delinquents, original soundtrack, ost, 1990, flac,
Various Artists - Elektra: The Album (2005)
*A photo of the disc is included in the RAR file.
Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Alternative Metal, Post Grunge, Alternative Rock
Label Number: 60150-13107-2
© 2005 Wind-Up
Elektra: The Album repeats the post-grunge sins of the Daredevil and Spider-Man soundtracks. It would have been nice if the film's musical choices accentuated or commented on its main character's mix of formidable fighting skills and emotional conflict. Instead, but for a lukewarm attempt at featuring female rockers, the collection serves mostly as a showcase for plodding modern rock yeomen and the Wind-Up Records roster. Strata's "Never There (She Stabs)" is an odd choice for a first single; its title reflects the glint of Elektra's sais, but otherwise it's leaden and unhappy. Entries from Finger Eleven, Submersed, and 12 Stones don't fare much better. They vary in their use of trademark elements like chunky distortion, pleading choruses, or acoustic breakdowns. But the collective effect is to hear one long, loud, and rather unimaginative song. Elsewhere, Switchfoot and Taking Back Sunday get lost in layers of moody drama and echoing piano, with the latter's "Your Own Disaster" a close cousin to its placeholder entry on 2004's Spider-Man 2 soundtrack. Evanescence's Amy Lee has proven her ability to carry a piano ballad, and the previously unreleased "Breathe No More" is no exception. It softens Elektra a little, like a white curtain billowing in a cold stone room. And nods to the Donnas ("Everything Is Wrong") and a rising coed outfit from New York City called the Twenty-Twos (the fun Veruca Salt throwback "5 Years"), who give the set some kicky pizzazz. However, with only a faceless hard rock grind from Alter Bridge and two different hopefuls (Megan McCauley, Full Blown Rose) trying to channel that Evanescence mix of passion and rock power, Elektra: The Album never really makes its point.
tags: various artists, elektra, the album, soundtrack, ost, 2005, flac,
May 01, 2025
Cake - Fashion Nugget (1996)
Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Alternative Rock
Label Number: 314 534 228-2
© 1996 Capricorn Records
Sounding like a suburban, melodic, white funk-injected version of King Missile's performance art/standup comedy, "The Distance" became a novelty hit in the fall of 1996, sending Cake's second album, Fashion Nugget, to platinum status. Certainly, "The Distance" was the only reason Fashion Nugget went platinum, because the remainder of the album is too collegiate and arcane for mainstream music tastes. It isn't because it's obscure or intellectual -- it's because the band is smirking. An "ironic" cover of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" is the key to the album, sending the signal that nothing is too insignificant to make fun of. Their blend of collegiate musical styles -- funk, hip-hop, alternative rock -- makes the music easy to digest in small doses, such as "The Distance."
tags: cake, fashion nugget, 1996, flac,
Cake - Prolonging The Magic (1998)
Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Alternative Rock
Label Number: 314 538 092-2
© 1998 Capricorn Records
Supposedly their attempt to make a smugness- and irony-free album, Cake's third release does hold back the barbs a bit more than usual. And the strain shows. In these guys' hands, love songs without smirks and pop tunes straight up come out forced. So, they often fall back into familiar territory: postmodern takes on postmodern life. Flipping between earnest alt-rock rhythms and jittery, funky jazz that somehow manages to whitewash both styles, Prolonging the Magic works best when Cake lay on the irony extra heavy, or when they make their sober ambitions mesh slightly with the type of smart-ass pop they've based a career on (like the formulaic "Never There"). At least they seem to realize their place in the alt-rock universe as a novelty band with chops, counteracting the genre's overwhelming seriousness with a light dose of heavy-handed yuks.
tags: cake, prolonging the magic, 1998, flac,
Cake - Comfort Eagle (2001)
Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Alternative Rock
Label Number: CK 62132
© 2001 Columbia
While so many rock bands try to reinvent themselves with every new album, Cake has made a name for itself by sticking to its brand of smirking funk-pop. Blending jazz, rockabilly, experimental rock, and a little less country than usual, Comfort Eagle, the band's first album since leaving Capricorn Records for Columbia, carries on the Cake tradition of offbeat humor and catchy melodies. While some fans may be waiting for its sound to evolve, singer/songwriter John McCrea and company seem content to reign over their quirky little corner of the popular music landscape. "Opera Singer" and the first single, "Short Skirt/Long Jacket," follow in the footsteps of Cake's previous hits, but are no less enjoyable because of it. "Shadow Stabbing" is one of the most straightforward rock songs the band has ever recorded, with McCrea forgoing his usual half-spoken vocals for an almost irony-free delivery. While it is still unmistakably Cake, it would sound right at home on a Cars album. The rest of the album is by the numbers Cake, which is comforting and slightly disappointing at the same time. The group has certainly perfected its sound, and one can understand why it would be hesitant to turn its back on its extremely distinctive style, but with Comfort Eagle Cake comes dangerously close to simply remaking its previous release, Prolonging the Magic. While new fans might enjoy Comfort Eagle on its own merits, Cake followers may feel as though they've bought the same album twice. However, both albums are strong enough that they probably won't mind.
tags: cake, comfort eagle, 2001, flac,
Cake - Pressure Chief (2004)
Country: U.S.A.
Genre: Alternative Rock
Label Number: CK 92629
© 2004 Columbia
Released in 2004, Pressure Chief marks Cake's tenth year with a set of sardonic, engaging alternative pop that shows the Sacramento band's economical sound unwilted after all these years. Chief features artwork and typography typical to the group, as well the familiar three-color print scheme and stiff cardstock paper. John McCrea's wit is as dry as ever, and his tongue has grown sharper with the addition of a social comment streak that occasionally goes quite cynical. Single "No Phone" decries the encroachment of technology, while "Carbon Monoxide" is an upbeat, Beatlesque number that nevertheless wonders cynically, "Where's the air?" Later, the wispily funky "Tougher Than It Is" encourages listeners to take it easy, because life's going to keep throwing curve balls anyway. Cake have always positioned themselves as cultural observers, but McCrea's opinions on Chief rely more on clarity than wryness. This doesn't make the album a downer. It opens with "Wheels," a song built from the best parts of Cake's thrifty yet effective arsenal. McCrea's narrative mostly concerns a breakup, and life moving on ("Wheels keep on spinning 'round..."). But his imagery is on overdrive once he hits the singles bar, where the "Muscular cyborg German dudes dance with sexy French Canadians." The song's punctuated by a classic Vince Di Fiore descending trumpet line and some fan-favorite "HEY!"s from McCrea. In the tradition of "I Will Survive," the band tackles another cover song, this time reinterpreting Bread's "Guitar Man." With its vintage synthesizers squiggling off the cues of an acoustic guitar, their version meanders at a comforting pace akin to Flaming Lips' "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1," and even gives McCrea a chance to sing a little. Other highlights include "She'll Hang the Baskets," where guest Chuck Prophet fills out the mournful melody with some fuzzily toned electric guitar, and "Dime," where the charmingly home-recorded quality of Pressure Chief really stands out. Smart, subtly subversive, and always catchy -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it
tags: cake, pressure chief, 2004, flac,
