Prolonging the Magic [Explicit Lyrics, Original recording reissued]

Cake | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 6, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics, Original recording reissued
• Label: Volcano
• ASIN: B00005ABIP
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (242 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,297 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #69 in Music > Alternative Rock > American Alternative > Post Grunge

Track Listings

1. Satan Is My Motor

2. Mexico

3. Never There

4. Guitar

5. You Turn The Screws

6. Walk On By

7. Sheep Go To Heaven

8. When You Sleep

9. Hem Of Your Garment

10. Alpha Beta Parking Lot

11. Let Me Go

12. Cool Blue Reason

13. Where Would I Be?

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A kinder, gentler Cake? You'd never know it from listening to the opening track, a ditty with the rather unconventional title "Satan Is My Motor." But the truth is, most of Prolonging the Magic finds the Sacramento, California, quintet toning down the arch commentary of tracks such as "Rock and Roll Lifestyle" and "The Distance" from albums Motorcade of Generosity and Fashion Nugget. In its place is straight-ahead observational songwriting on "Alpha Beta Parking Lot" and "Guitar," and the naked, if still quirky, relationship commentaries "Where Would I Be?" and "Walk on By." Not to worry: The group's trademark humor is still in place on "You Turn the Screws" and "Sheep Go to Heaven," while touches of steel guitar and musical saw expand their already unusual sonic palette. As the title suggests, Cake seems capable of prolonging the magic a while longer. --Daniel Durchholz

Review

...[N]o track goes the distance like their 1996 novelty hit "The Distance." Proceed with caution, unless your quirk quotient has been magically prolonged. -- Entertainment Weekly

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 61 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dumb lyrics? No! Dumb listeners? Perhaps.... June 13, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

I'm dismayed by the number of reviewers who seem baffled by the lyric's in this CD (and the other Cake CD's too.) Many songs take lines directly from the Bible, believe it or not! On this album, "Sheep go to heaven, goats go to hell" is something Jesus said to his disciples. Throughout Cake's music, there is evidence that at least one of their writers is familiar with other scriptures. ("You part the waters".... and *I'm not fit to touch the hem of your garment* also come to mind.)

As for the lyrics being dumb, anyone who has studied Surrealism (Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte) know that two seemingly unrelated ideas juxtaposed often result in a deeper truth... and humour. That's why I listen all the time to Cake's three albums. They have holding power because they are deep as well as funky. They're my favorite group.

Incidentally, I'm a high school teacher in her 50's. My son who lives in CA. gave me my first Cake CD.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's cake, and that's saying a lot January 5, 2006

By Kid A

Format:Audio CD

Don't bother with the comings and goings of various band members over the years. Cake has only gotten better with age, and where they started wasn't bad to begin with. Their first album (Motorcade of Generosity) was good. Fashion Nugget was very good. Prolonging the Magic is also very good, possibly even better. Don't listen to those who claim the magic faded after Fashion Nugget.

These guys are masters at blending various musical stylings into a style that is nearly impossible to pin down. There's just not anybody out there doing anything like what Cake does. It's been said that the genius of Eric Clapton doesn't lie in the notes that he plays, but in the notes he doesn't play. This is entirely true of Cake as well. You won't find complicated arrangements or sophisticated lyrics. This is music from the soul played with feeling. They're not out to impress you with how many incredible riffs they can pull off or amazing drum solos.

You may have heard singles from them over the years such as The Distance, Never There (from this album), and Short Skirt Long Jacket. I did. I never thought much of them until Short Skirt. By that time I realized that Cake was something different. I figured it was time to really check them out. I've since bought every CD. They're all incredible.

If you're just getting into Cake, this album makes a fantastic introduction, as would Comfort Eagle. The others are good to great in their own right, but Prolonging and Comfort Eagle represent a peak of Cake creativity where every song resonates with the essence of this band. If you like one or both of these releases, you will no doubt want to indulge in the others.

P.S. If these guys ever come to your town to play, GO. There's nothing like a Cake show.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent December 31, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

Buy this CD. Once it arrives, play it 4 times in a row. By the 4th time, it will be one of your favorites. Prolonging The Magic is really simple: every song is great, not just good. If you give it a chance you will love it. The only exception is if you don't really understand music.(if you listen to britney spears and boy bands) :)

The first time I played it I didn't think it was anything special. But the second time (when I was actually hearing the music, not just listening for the mood and the words), I started to like it, a lot. By the 3rd time I was hooked.

I listen to a wide variety of rock, a little rap, and classical music. I have a BUNCH of GREAT CDs. This CD is definately in my top 3. I listen to it all the time and think everyone else needs to hear it also. It is different from the first 2, but in my humble opinion, it's definately better.