Triple Album Review: 2011’s Three Best Albums
Cake– Showroom of Compassion
(Upbeat Records)
Cake, Indie Rock heroes from the ’90s finally released a new album after seven inactive years. Showroom of Compassion, as the new material is titled, was met with reasonable skepticism. After all, how many (almost) two decades-old bands return from hibernation with an album that matches their best work? Cake, it seems, does; and without compromising their signature sound. The painful harmonies are still present. But, they are matched with Mariachi-style trumpet compositions and a buoyant rhythm section. Still, there is something different about this album. John McCrea, Cake’s scrupulous and political lead singer, has been long admired for his casual use of cynicism and of satire. On the new album though, he places these ingredients secondary to, well… compassion. (Or maybe, it’s just very well disguised satire.) And ultimately, Cake’s latest effort is so fresh and suitably mature because of that very element. Showroom of Compassion will be remembered as proof that sometimes, bands do age gracefully.
Best Tracks: “Long Time” “Mustache Man (Wasted)” “Easy To Crash”
Charles Bradley– No Time for Dreaming
(Daptone Records)
Daptone Records is celebrated for signing present-day artists who embody the sound and spirit of classic soul and funk music. Charles Bradley is no exception. His voice is passionate and raw, which is why he’s affectionately nicknamed the “Screaming Eagle of Soul.” But honestly, any true soul singer is passionate, raw and exposed. Bradley stands out because he is urgent. Not urgent in a political, “What’s Going On,” people-are-suffering sort of way. It’s more, ‘Hear my message— you could really learn a lot from it.’ He speaks compellingly about the importance of here and now; and he makes the listener understand that, in a world that’s “going up in flames” (see opening track), love and genuineness are paramount.
Best Tracks: “The World (Is Going Up In Flames)” “I Believe In Your Love”
Radiohead- “King of Limbs”
(self-released)
Seeing that every Radiohead album since 1995 has been labeled ‘Album of the Year’ by hoards of critics, it’s no surprise that King of Limbs made this list. In true Radiohead fashion, this record sounds unlike any of their previous work. It’s the least guitar driven, relying more heavily on a percussion-based rhythm section (almost resembling the electronic genre glitch-hop). King of Limbs has less coherent lyrical content than other Radiohead albums, but makes up for this potential drawback with fantastic instrumentals. The music has many layers, each full of unique and subtle nuances, meriting King of Limbs as one of the best albums of the year.
Best Tracks: “Little By Little” “Lotus Flower” “Codex”
NOTE: Fans of Radiohead’s King of Limbs should check out the 2-disc remix LP of their Grammy-nominated album. TKOL RMX 1234567 is a collaboration between Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke and various hip-hop and electronica producers. Every song from the original King of Limbs is reinterpreted in one or more remixes, including “TKOL [Altrice RMX]”, an remix featuring parts from every song on the original album. While TKOL RMX 1234567 is not as stunning or meaningful as its derivative, it does serve as a more groovy and danceable complement to one of the best albums of the year from one of the best bands of all time.
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