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The first thing you’ll notice about Cake’s new limited-edition album isn’t what you’d normally notice about a CD—because the first thing you’ll notice is how it smells. You’ll notice the faint scent of…something. It could be grapes or bananas or fresh cut grass. Mine smells like roses. But the scratch-n-sniff cover is just the beginning of the quirky fun you’ll find on this album.
Cake’s first release since 2004’s Pressure Chief, B-Sides and Rarities is also the first release on their own label, Upbeat Records. While the new CD features mostly covers, they’re all done in Cake’s unmistakable style—with John McCrea’s distinctive sometimes-talking-sometimes-singing vocals and, of course, lots of trumpet and bass.
The album opens with the first single, a cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” It’s my favorite track on the album—one that just begs you to crank up the volume whenever it comes on. On my list of favorites, though, it’s followed closely by the funky cover of Barry White’s “Never Never Gonna Give You Up.” But there’s plenty more where that from—plenty of songs that show off the band’s obviously quirky sense of humor, as well as their strong musical talent. For instance, the album includes three covers of country songs. Even if you’re not a country music fan, though (which, if you’re a Cake fan, I somehow doubt you are), you’ll appreciate the band’s cover of “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” (which was made popular in 1969 by Kenny Rogers)—and you’ll even love the twang in “Excuse Me, I Think I’ve Got a Heartache” (so much so that you’ll find yourself singing along). But the fun doesn’t stop there. There’s also a cover of “Strangers in the Night” that manages to successfully mix the smoothness of Old Blue Eyes with Cake’s signature eccentricities.
By far, though, the most unusual cover on the album is one you might remember from The Muppet Show: a silly little song called “Mahna Mahna.” It’s like frosting with bright-colored sprinkles—and it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you hear it. You just won’t be able to help it—I know I can’t.
Finally, B-Sides concludes with three live songs: “Short Skirt, Long Jacket,” recorded in Sydney, “It’s Coming Down,” recorded in Brussels, and the bonus track, the live version of “War Pigs,” featuring Steven Drozd of The Flaming Lips.
While I don’t love every song on B-Sides and Rarities, I do love what Cake did with this album. As you listen, you’ll feel like you’re sitting in on one of the band’s rehearsals, as they play around with different songs. It’s like a joke they’re sharing with their friends—their fans. And I mean that as a good thing. It’s a fun album, filled with unusual covers and a couple of old favorites. While it’s not quite the same as a new Cake album with new Cake songs, don’t worry—they promise there’s a new album coming soon. But, in the meantime, this will definitely tide fans over.
Ed. Note: B-Sides and Rarities won’t be officially released in stores until August 14—but you can pick up a copy of the album (and listen to clips) now at CakeMusic.com.
