Customer Reviews

Cage the Elephant

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Well the first time I had ever heard of the band was with vocalist Matt Schultz appearance on British comedy show "Never Mind The Buzzcocks." He formed an unlikely alliance with Stephen Fry and Josie Long. The bands music wasn't played or even that heavily mentioned in the show, but thanks to Matts antic I became intrigued at what this band had to offer. Were they just another indy band with nothing new to give, or were they something fresh and original amongst a bland "pop-rock indy" music scene.

They are definitely the latter in that respect and have brought to a world audience possibly the best album of 2008. From "In One Ear" to "Free Love" Cage the Elephant present a delightful, cool, loud and crazy album that will have all the bland indy music lovers wake up and realise originality and talent when they hear it.

The vocals of Matt Schultz is definitely the most enticing part of the band as although it's not something I haven't heard before, he has a sort of reminiscent rebellious tone to his voice that I'm not sure why but remind me of the great punk bands the Ramones, The Clash and even the Sex Pistols. Cage The Elephant are nowhere near as controversial as these legendary bands, but they're certainly just as loud and abrupt and really make you want to get on your feet and go nuts when listening to their music.

The guitar and bass by Brad Shultz, Daniel Titchenor and Lincoln Parish definitely add to that old school feel and sometimes mimic the equally awesome guitar talents of Pistols guitarist Steve Jones.

My Top 5 are

1. Aint No Rest For The Wicked
2. In One Ear
3. Back Stabbin' Betty
4. James Brown
5. Free Love

I first saw CTE's video for "Ain't No Rest..." and the tune was catchy enough that I did some research on-line and saw that they were performing at Cafe Du Nord in SF a few days later. I caught the show and I must say that it is one of the BEST performances I've ever seen. I met Brad, his wife and Matt afterwards and they are some of the nicest and down to earth people I've ever met. I hope that doesn't change when they become huge stars, which I KNOW they will. Matt's energy on stage is electrifying and Lincoln is a surprisingly talented guitarist. He's only 19 yrs. old???!!! I bought the album and it pales in comparison to seeing them live, but it is a stil an awesome example of the band's talent. I know they are going to hi it BIG!

We are very happy with this release...the music is just our style and almost every cut is very well done and a real pleasure to the ears. I've owned it for about a month now and have actually had to put it away for a bit because I've listened to it so much - I was about to burn out on it! But I'll drag it back out in a week or two and it will likely get a lot of time in my CD player in 2010.

There are several primo cuts on here that are really stand out...roughly in order of my favorites: In One Ear, Ain't No Rest for the Wicked, Back Against the Wall, and Free Love. Who doesn't like free love? :-)

When I first heard it, it sounded much like Jet to me and still does in places. But I can also hear other influences briefly here and there including Nirvana, Beck, and maybe a splash of Smash Mouth. But they definitely have their own sound...give it a whirl...

Well this must be my album of 2008, I have heard pleny of stuff this year but none that made me sit up and turn my stereo up like this band!. I'm usually pretty picky and sceptical of my mates music choice, but when he told me to listen to Cage I thought what could I lose!?, well the first thing I did was turn my stereo up!. I have seen them live twice here in the UK and enjoyed them both times, they are no 'rock' band, more punk/indie rock, but they were a finger in the socket kind of band for me and I'm glad I listened to my mate for once!. They only lasted 45 minutes on stage, which was a little disappointing, wish they'd lasted longer!, but they are a good and energetic band live, they played some new songs when I saw them at the Thekla in Bristol, which sounded pretty damned good, bring on the next cd!. This is a finger in the eye to all the boring bands out there in radio land, for once here's a band whose lyrics and music match up!, great stuff!
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I have to admit, I first heard the "No Rest For The Wicked" song from the opening scenes of the game Borderlands. Decided I had to find that band right then, and here they are.

Definitely worth the download .. especially so at $2.99.

if jack white and kid rock and everlast had a baby with wolfmother as its surrogate mother and the killers delivered said baby, you would have this band. don't let that scare you off though. it rules. try it. you'll like it.

Lured in by "Ain't No Rest" after hearing it as the intro song for Borderlands, I listened to some more on Pandora radio. I have to say this is one of the best albums I've bought for this genre in a good while. Also, "In One Ear" is a perfect pick for the first track.

I'd been hearing the single "No Rest For The Wicked" all summer and every time it came on I'd turn it up and rock out a bit. Eventually I broke down and got the album. The first few tracks were quite good, but like other people said kind of White Stripesey. Not that that's a bad thing, there's isn't a band out there that doesn't sound like somebody who came before them. Unfortunately (for me at least) is that a few of the tracks veer a little too close to Arctic Monkeys, Kaizer Chiefs territory and these bands already sound enough like each other that we don't need an American band imitating bland Brit Pop.
So it's not a perfect album, but when was the last time you heard one of those? It's got enough fun upbeat rock songs to be worth it. Some people have panned this band because they lack originality, but chances are they're such hipsters that no music is good enough for them anyway. Listen to it because it's fun, not because you're looking for music that will define your existence.

I was initially skeptical...

No Rest for the Wicked sounds so much like The White Stripes, I found myself wishing The White Stripes had done it...because I begrudgingly liked the song. After listening to the entire album, however, I've found they're much more than just Stripes sound-alikes. I hear everything from Butthole Surfers to a little Floyd at one spot...I think its in Lotus...and Soil to the Sun is pure Bowie, lyrically if not musically. What's more they do have a sound all their own.

Great lyrics and great guitar... My only complaint is that its so short. That's a complaint I have with most albums these days, however...

The first Cage the Elephant song I heard was "Back Against the Wall" on fuse. I was amazed that a "new" band played such a great song. I got the album and was not sorry I did. Every track is worth listening to. No need to skip anything. As far as I'm concerned, everything by Cage the Elephant is golden. I can only hope for more, even after their new album comes out (which is sounding pretty good). Thank you Cage the Elephant for making the best tunes in a long time.