Comfort Eagle

Cake

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 24, 2001)
• Original Release Date: July 24, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005MCW5
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (221 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,292 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
When two-fifths of Cake defected to form Deathray after the release of their sophomore album, Fashion Nugget, some wondered if Sacramento's answer to Camper Van Beethoven would disappear into the land of one-hit wonders--especially since Cake's lone hit, "The Distance," had been penned by departing guitarist Greg Brown. But true to bandleader John McCrea's deadpan cover of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive," Cake turned around and repeated their success with 1998's Prolonging the Magic and its infectious hit, "Never There." Now comes Comfort Eagle, and, with it, news of drummer Todd Roper's departure (which probably explains the addition of drum programming to McCrea's ever-expanding credits). Like Beck, McCrea's self-sufficiency is only matched by an overriding ironic sensibility. It serves him well on the title track where, above mock Middle Eastern drones, he takes on all poseurs ("Now his hat is on backwards, he can show you his tattoos / He's in the music business, he is calling you 'dude'"). By comparison, "Short Skirt/Long Jacket," a song that dates back to McCrae's coffeehouse years, sounds formulaic (which probably explains its selection as the album's first single). No matter, tracks like "Long Line of Cars" and "Meanwhile, Rick James..." are sufficiently intriguing to make up for it. Factor in the distinctive trumpet embellishments of Vincent DiFiore, the band's other original member, and Comfort Eagle seems guaranteed to ensure that, no matter what happens, Cake will survive. --Bill Forman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arguably the best Cake mix available, May 14, 2003

By	M. Heidenreich "Well, Well, Well" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

Although on the surface these songs might appear to possess that classically funny Cake allure, with their seemingly crazy titles, this just might be their most accomplished release yet. And smartest. Earlier smashes like "The Distance" and "Never There" seemed to carry the weight of their respective CDs, but on Comfort Eagle that doesn't quite hold true. "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" was greatly received by almost everyone who heard it; and the `Orange County' soundtrack song "Shadow Stabbing" also seemed to help boost this album's sales. But unlike their previous albums, Comfort Eagle does not have a song that can be considered bad. It's very solid all the way through. And to be perfectly honest, some of the lesser-known tracks here are actually better than the singles. Here's an overview of the 11 songs:

1. Opera Singer - 4/5 - the beats here are a little more pop-ish compared to most of Cake's previous work. But the lyrics and overall feel really get you pumped for the entire CD. Although I heard it a few times on the radio, I'm surprised it never hit it big(ger).

2. Meanwhile, Rick James... - 3/5 - this is actually my least favorite song, but still I agree with other reviewers in saying it's a very intriguing song. It's more reminiscent of a Motorcade Of Generosity song; which is hit-and-miss.

3. Shadow Stabbing - 4.5/5 - with a very similar approach to "Opera Singer", it might actually be slightly better. The background beat is something that portrays the many talents of singer John McCrea. Very catchy and very memorable.

4. Short Skirt/Long Jacket - 5/5 - it may be ill-advised to label this track the CD's best, but it's indisputably close. The lyrics are just so out-there (for example: `I want a girl with uninterrupted prosperity / who uses a machete / to cut her red tape') that you can't help but relate to them. I don't know how it works, but it works well.

5. Commissioning A Symphony In C - 4.5/5 - this one blends the pop beats of tracks 1 and 3 with (maybe) something from Fashion Nugget. It's not quite as catchy as some of the others, but it's very enjoyable to hear and is entertaining, to say the least.

6. Arco Arena - 5/5 - whatever your take on instrumental tracks, you have to love the melodic magnetism this 1 ½-minute song gives off. It's so melodic it almost kills you. It is NOT a filler song. Do NOT overlook it. Awesome!

7. Comfort Eagle - 5/5 - I have to say this is my favorite song on the album. And it's right up there when ranking Cake's best ever. The song starts, brilliantly, `we are building a religion / we are building it bigger...', and just "builds" off that. The background sound is just so amazing that you'll end up coming back to this one (first) after playing the CD through.

8. Long Line Of Cars - 5/5 - perhaps Cake's most pertinent track to date. Anyone who's ever been caught in your everyday traffic jam will absolutely love this one. If it weren't for the overly entertaining lyrics in "Comfort Eagle", this might've been the best song.

9. Love You Madly - 4.5/5 - this one starts a lot like Oasis' "Fxckin' In The Bushes' (go figure); only to finish with the bang that is (a lot like) Prolonging The Magic`s "Sheep Go To Heaven". Nevertheless, the title is repeated a few too many times to call it perfect.

10. Pretty Pink Ribbon - 5/5 - oddly enough, this one is, essentially, better than "Opera Singer" and "Shadow Stabbing". The rhythm just comes off sounding somewhat superb compared to those two tracks. I don't know what the `pink ribbon' actually is--in all reality--but then again we shouldn't pry.

11. World Of Two - 3.5/5 - one of the more straight-forward songs on Comfort Eagle. It does capture the overall hum of the album quite nicely, but the simplistic lyrics and repeated verses don't allow for it to stand out, nonchalantly.

Even though Cake's Comfort Eagle doesn't sound very similar, as a whole, to either Motorcade Of Generosity, Fashion Nugget, or Prolonging The Magic, it does manage to continue their ever-so-popular, astounding songwriting abilities. The cleverness of many of the songs (particularly the title track) is far greater than anything Cake has ever produced. And that's saying something. If you've heard the singles "Short Skirt/Long Jacket", "Shadow Stabbing" or possibly "Opera Singer", then you get a pretty good idea of what to expect. The catchy-beat backgrounds and unpredictable-but-amazing lyrics are continually used; yet the songs only seem to get better as you move along through the tracks. My favorite track is easily "Comfort Eagle", and even the one song I didn't find great, "Meanwhile, Rick James...", as I said, is rather intriguing. When it's all said and done: you'll love this CD if you like Cake. And who doesn't enjoy Cake in habitually regular settings?

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun for the Whole Family, September 18, 2001

By	"lycida" (NJ USA) - See all my reviews

I purchased this CD after both my husband and my 12-year-old daughter agreed that "Short Skirt, Long Jacket" was a pretty jammin' tune. Trust me, they never agree on anything--which makes listening to music in the car an adventure in family trauma.

Imagine my surprise when we found that "SS, LJ" was merely the tip of the iceberg: probably the most mainstream (dare I say, "derivative"?) track in the package. Cake is a clever, hip, musically-friendly group with a style that's indefinable. Mix elements of country, jazz, disco, funk, salsa . . . hey, that's a TRUMPET in the background!

"Opera Singer" was hilarious in its self-deprecating, deadpan delivery. If you haven't heard Cake, you can't understand why McCrea intoning "I am an opera singer" is so funny. Just trust me. I laughed. "Shadow Stabbing" has a lovely melodic line, striking lyrics, and a bouncy rhythm that has me pushing that back button on the CD player. "Symphony in C" and "Long Line of Cars" have a melancholy feel, some great guitar, and again . . . love the lyrics.

Special mention must be made of "Comfort Eagle." Wry, rhythmic, off-beat, and . . . yes, everybody in the car was screaming out "Dude!" right along with McCrea. That's everybody--from my 50ish husband, to my 9-year-old daughter who usually listens to nothing but bubblegum pop. "Do you believe in the one big song?" This just may be it.

I didn't know much about Cake when I bought this CD, but I'm going out to buy the whole catalog.

Cake rocks.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars True to the roots, more fun from Cake., July 24, 2001

By	Elgin Gregg (Dallas, Tx) - See all my reviews

Comfort Eagle can be seen as a return to Cake's roots. Gone are the overly catchy melodies and radio singles of Fashion Nugget; Cake keeps the music dry but never sparse. Guitar is used again for rhythmic ideas that complement the varied and interesting bass lines. The melody is once again brought to us by John McCrea and his unique style of speeksing (you try to catagorize it =) and harmonized with the occasional trumpet or keyboard line.

I will compare this album to Motorcade even though it introduces more of the electronic drum machine and sound effects found lightly in Prolonging the Magic. Don't worry, the drum machine is used very carefully and is only really prominent on the first track. The songs are traditional Cake fare with the metaphorical lyrics and syncopated rhythms fans expect. Again the rhythm of the lyrics is more akin to the first release and less like the almost randomness found in Fashion Nugget.

The CD has 11 tracks that include one instrumental (6 - Arco Arena). The tracks are of a decent length though the total album seems short comapred to previous releases.

To Cake fans and those who love the first album I recommend this new release.

If you love Cake for their radio tunes I would listen to the sample tracks before purchase.