No, I'm not filming a sequel to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I'm actually just psyched about Cake's new mega-tour: "Unlimited Sunshine". With all of this dark, wet, fall weather we really need some sunshine.
I love Cake in all of its wonderful forms, and I also love the Brazilian Girls, Detroit Cobras, and Oakley Hall. The other two touring bands are King City and Agent Ribbons, bands I'd never heard of before today, but truly enjoyed when I listened to their music. I think it's marvelous that Cake can put together six diverse and peculiar bands, and create a show that still sounds like pure sunshine.
I couldn't find a discordant sound in the group's catalogue, but here are a few of my favorite songs by the bands playing "Unlimited Sunshine":
"Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle" by Cake. After over ten years of life, this song is still fresh and more appropriate than ever. Besides the smooth jazz horn, perfect delivery, and quick guitar picking, the lyrics are hilarious and true. Take this one stanza:
"...Now tickets to concerts and drinking at clubs,
Sometimes for music that you haven't even heard of.
And how much did you pay for your rock'n'roll t-shirt
That proves you were there,
That you heard of them first?
How do you afford your rock'n'roll lifestyle?..."
"Only To Other People" by Detroit Cobras. These Cobras make up a cover band, but even though the music has a decidedly anachronistic feel, you'd never guess that they play covers. This R&B song was originally done by the Cookies, who made their harmonious sounds in the 1950s. The Cobras' cover is sultry, and booming rather than coy. The voice behind this song is strong and emotional, but also pained by the reality of love. An excellent cover, by one of the most exciting cover bands I've ever heard.
"Imaginary Girlfriend" by Brazilian Girls. If you're the kind of person who makes assumptions based on band names, then you're in for a big surprise when you listen to the Brazilian Girls. Their music is neither Brazilian nor girly in any stereotypical sense of the words. This is my new favorite song by the Girls, and it's a hidden track off their latest album Talk to La Bomb. I love the sweet sound of the music, and the sentiment behind this song, the idea of people just missing each other in terms of love.
"Alive Among Thieves" by Oakley Hall. The stop-start percussion, and lyrics ("...you've got the core of a bright comet rolling around in your eye socket...") make this song original and beautiful. Although it fails to highlight the alt-country title that is most often ascribed to Oakley Hall's music, it does pick up on a certain desert sound and feeling almost south of the border. Great song from the excellent album I'll Follow You.
1 comment:
We saw the same line-up in Sewell, NJ on 12/8...minus Detroit Cobras. It was completely outstanding. I agree Cake sounds fresh as ever. The other bands entertained us with their unique style and authenitic presentation of material. Your response was multiplied exponentially in NJ last night. We definitely left with happy ears. Sincerely, A&J
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