Released: Jun 23, 2008 (UK) / May 19, 2009 (US)
Genre: Indie Rock, Funk Rock, Punk Blues, Alternative Rock
Label: Relentless
Number Of Tracks: 11
Cage The Elephant's music is what I would describe a mix between blues/garage rock with hints of alternative/punk. Its fresh and it sounds like a mixture of Beck, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, with some funk thrown in.
Cage The Elephant
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on september 15, 2009 5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Sound: I absolutely love the sound on this album. Its fresh and it sounds like a mixture of Beck, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, with some funk thrown in. Its bringing my faith in rock back and it stands out from the emo-pop stuff going around today, and traces back to better times in music, to more of the grungy 90's scene (The video for "Back against the Wall" is said to be a tribute to Nirvana's "Heart Shaped Box"). They just seem to have a very odd and melodic sound I can't quite describe, but I like it. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: Matt Schultz has a very funky, rock, and smooth voice, which really complements to the band's sound. Some of it actually reminds me of Robert Plant's odd-but-appropriate voice. His lyrics are pretty powerful and stand out to the average person, like the economically-fueled lyrics of "Aint No Rest for the Wicked", and the political rampage in "Lotus". It reminds of me of Zach de la Rocha from RATM just a little bit. Regardless of the lyrics, the vocal melodies really complement the songs and add a little funk rock flavor to the album. // 9
Impression: Overall, I think this is a great start for Cage the Elephant, and I’m surprised no one has put up a review for this. I hope that the success of this album will lead to a new direction in music, directing us from the emo-pop we are slowly falling into. The most impressive songs from this album are "Aint No Rest for the Wicked", "Lotus", "In One Year", and "Back Against the Wall". If I ever lose this album, I would run to the nearest record store and pick another copy up right away. // 10
Cage The Elephant
Reviewed by:
arctic_jules, on may 18, 2011 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Well just to start do you imaginae that in these days you will hear a band that truely has his own sound? And realize that is not just another wannabe product? Well here is Cage The Elephant for us the ones who have lost faith in music! Like the buddy above me this is an amazing mixture beetween Beck, RHCP and a bit of Nirvana. The music its simple in almost every way but its really good its catchy and well it keeps in your mind for a lot you will love this record belive me and if you dond like it well... You're to headstrong. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: Really good ones I mean normally we only hear about love/heartbreak pain/sex or no? Again Cage... Sings about everything that's going on in their life like beat your ass for money in "Ain't No Rest For The Wicked" and how hard could it be to face yourself "Back Againts The Wall" Matt Schultz put his heart and thoughts on every lyric he's going to be one of a kind. // 9
Impression: We can't compare this to anything this is just Cage The Elephant saying "Listen!" and hell yeah I know that many people is listen them. Well the best songs in this album for me are: "In One Ear" was the first one I ever heard its catchy with lyrics that make you think that he is talking to you. And above every other song "Back Againts The Wall" just listen that song and belive you'll be in love with Cage The Elephant forever. If I lost this record I kill myself! Well, no, I buy it again. // 10
Cage The Elephant
Reviewed by:
Crackinskulls, on september 02, 2010 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Cage the Elephant is a band from Bowling Green Kentucky who have released their album Cage the Elephant back in 2008. Cage the Elephants music is what I would describe a mix between blues/garage rock with hints of alternative/punk. The band incorporates guitar, bass, drums and carefully crafted lyrics into ten well made songs. The album is a personal favorite from 2009 well into this year. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics written by Cage the Elephant are very flowing and full or energy. They tell a story so to speak with a beginning middle and end. Both the type of music and lyrics fit very well with each other. Lead singer Matt Shultz has a voice very much like such notable singers such as Tom Petty of The Heartbreakers and Glenn Frey of The Eagles // 9
Impression: The album unique music doesn't compare much to any other artists out there with the same sound. A couple of songs that caught my attention were, "Ain't no Rest For The Wicked," and "Back Against the Wall," both mainly for their slide guitar and catchy chorus. I absolutely love the lyrics of the album and definitely the guitar and personally as soon as I heard "Ain't no Rest For the Wicked," I bought the album. And if this album was ever lost or stolen from me I would without question buy it again. // 10
ain't no rest for the wicked is one of the best song i've ever heard in the past five years. i love that rhythmic singing style and well, everything about this band is ace.
these guys are terrible live. the singer convulses like he's having a seizure and does the stupidest shit on stage. he started crowd surfing when i saw them on 9/11 (was there for chevelle mudvayne and alice in chains, not these idiots) and the rest of the band just stood there with arms crossed looking pissed at his stupid antics. the rest of the band is ok but the singer is god awful.
I'm still enjoying this album a few months later. Great rock band playing music with substance. Stand out tracks on this album to me are In One Ear, Drones In The Valley, Judas and Lotus.
This review could have been written better but the kudos it gives are well-deserved.
Saw them open for Silversun Pickups and plan on seeing them open for them again. They're an alright band, the album is okay. Its worth the money but its not really mindblowing, just good. Be warned though, all the songs sound different from the single they have on the radio.
Oh, and the guitarist in the band who usually plays a Telecaster, does he have a mental condition of some sort? It looked like he was seizing onstage.
I actually find them entertaining live (live videos anyways...), other than its true, they do all shake and convulse. But they are a decent band, interesting, and they are one of the few recent bands to catch my attention. Not amazing, but worth some attention.
I just watched them on Jools Holland. I had to look away from the convulsing...
The lead singer is always on something from what I understand. He was definitely not in his right mind when I saw them at lollapalooza but they jammed pretty well. If he lays off the heroine a bit they would be solid. Bc he definitely wasn't just drunk, he looked like he was about to faint and was tripping over everything on stage.
when i got borderlands long ass time ago i heard no rest for the wicked and i had to listen to their other stuff. it was kinda a shock to me when i found out their album had already been out a year before id heard the song. i loved the album. their like the perfect mix of rolling stones, white stripes and they definitely take a lot of ninties influence. ive never gone to a show of theirs, but if i had the chance i would.. even if the singer "convulses" the whole time he's on stage. i dont give a **** as it sounds good.
solid, strong album. i listen to it very reguarly. i personally cant wait for another release.
Dude this is one of those albums where every track is likable and good. Its a good thing theese guys put one of their songs on borderlands because if they didn't a lot less people would know about them. These dudes are GREAT
these guys are terrible live. the singer convulses like he's having a seizure and does the stupidest shit on stage. he started crowd surfing when i saw them on 9/11 (was there for chevelle mudvayne and alice in chains, not these idiots) and the rest of the band just stood there with arms crossed looking pissed at his stupid antics. the rest of the band is ok but the singer is god awful.
Your terrible. They are new, fresh and catchy and are better than 90% of the stuff you hear on the radio these days, they get props.
whoever said this album sucked and they suck live your an idiot. cage the elephant is a great band with original sound and amazing lyrics. they must be doing something right considering the fact that they are selling tickets to their shows and thousands upon thousands of cds. if you dont like them its fine but your crazy if you dont. i give the album 10 out of 10 as well.
the lead singer is not on any type of drug contrary to what anyone will tell you. i saw an interview telling how people always say that matt is always drunk or sumthing.
"they just dont get how into the music i am"
i think is what he said. Ive done live shows before. If youre really into the music, it will consum oyu and wont spit u out until the last note. thats when u realize ur in front of a thousand people but still dont care b/c u had a good time and so did they.
i loved this album!!! im so sick of all this emo, whiny, teenage bs music that all my friends listen to, its good to hear something different. matt shultz makes me happy too
I love this band and all their songs, something different in the mainstream. This album is amazing, I love the party vibe of it. Not like a club or anything, but that this album almost sounds like it was recorded at a house party, especially because of the intro to In One Ear. Great album all the way through.
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Sounds kinda samey after a while.