Cage the Elephant, mainstays of the indie rock scene since their self-titled 2008 release, began receiving national attention from success of their hit single, “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked.” The band has returned from a two-year silence with the blues-inspired album titled, “Tell Me I’m Pretty.”
The band, led by front man Matt Shultz, has long been known for its unique energy, both on stage and in the studio. This energy is concealed in their new release, a bold directional change hinted at in the 2013 release of “Melophobia,” a more reserved and psychedelic approach compared to their unconventional style of alternative. In an effort to move further into a more subdued southern blues style, Cage the Elephant enlisted Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys to lend a hand in production.
Almost immediately, Auerbach’s presence can be felt as the album kicks off with “Cry Baby,” follow by the lead single “Mess Around.” The latter of the two, in particular, has an extremely noticeable Black Keys sound, both lyrically and, more apparently, rhythmically.
This is far from a negative addition. Depicting a man-eater of sorts, “Mess Around” tells the tale of Shultz’ hesitant pursuit of love in a catchy way. With lines like, “Oh lord, wish she was my baby/ You know she’ll drive you crazy,” delivered with a hushed power (usually left unrestrained in prior works by the band), the directional shift becomes clear very early in the progression of the album.
The album proceeds with a trio of good, but not great tracks like, “Sweetie Little Jean,” “Too Late to Say Goodbye,” and “Cold Cold Cold,” before ushering in the second single of the album, “Trouble.” Not to detract from the actual chosen single, but it seems like “Trouble” would have been a better suited choice. “Trouble” displays a sound much more identifiable as Cage the Elephant. On “Trouble”, Shultz is lyrically at his best on the album, ditching the catchy but repetitive lyrics of lead single, “Mess Around.”
“Trouble” never quite soars to the climactic heights of Cage the Elephant’s earlier works, but still possesses the raw bubbling energy underneath a layer of blues rock grace that makes CtE the global star they are today. With an eloquently infectious chorus and a great tongue-in-cheek throwback in the line, “Will I come to pass or will I pass the test? /You know what they say, the wicked get no rest,” it becomes clear that Cage the Elephant remembers where they came from.
Closing the album out are three more filler pieces titled, “How Are You True,” “That’s Right,” and “Punchin’ Bag,” followed by the hidden gem “Portuguese Knife Fight” as the last song.
Perhaps I’m biased, fueled by nostalgia and an inner need to yell sometimes, but “Portuguese Knife Fight” possesses a certain bite that the album seems to lack. There’s a twang to it that Auerbach admirably tries to hide, but ultimately, just cannot fully conceal.
The sentiment is that of a honeymooner, with a swooning chorus echoing “I wanna waste my life with you” over a smooth bass line, primed like a powder keg waiting for a spark.
In what now seems to be the norm, the explosion that fans have grown accustomed to from early hits such as 2008’s “In One Ear” never quite happens, but this new direction indicates a long and favorable future for the band. This fourth studio effort is a product of a band’s maturation, and a great one it is.
DISCOGRAPHY:
- Cry Baby
- Mess Around
- Sweetie Little Jean
- Too Late to Say Goodbye
- Cold, Cold, Cold
- Trouble
- How Are You True
- That’s Right
- Punchin’ Bag
- Portuguese Knife Fight
