Modern Southern Rock - Cage the Elephant

Cage the Elephant stays in my jeep and no matter how much I listen to this band I keep loving it. They take an old style feel of rock and inject the energy that Hollywood demands while being absolutely brilliant lyricists.

First album, I don't know anything about and I have too much real homework to study that. So let's move on! 

Their self-titled 2nd album is the most energetic chill music ever. "Tiny Little Robots," is my personal favorite (though not so much representing the chill part) with their "Free Love," being my least favorite as it really bothers me how he pronounces the word "love." However, my husband is the direct opposite, so you know, just listen.  

So now that you've listened to those, you may say something like, "Chill? What are you on?" What I mean by this "energetic chill" oxymoron is that there's a slower bass line or drum beat with a nice, quick guitar riff or rag-time influenced piano-banging (minus the ridiculous circus sound that is tainting all the examples that I am trying to find to link for anyone reading this, but you know what I mean. In movies that are set in the old west with a crazy piano player playing as fast as lighting while sounding potentially off-key, but somehow still sounds appealing? Yeah, that.). 

I also just might find it chill because it's relaxing to hear something so strongly influenced by stuff I grew up with combined with some awesome "screw you and love everyone" lyrics which are pretty representative of myself. 

Their 3rd album, "Thank You, Happy Birthday," is not quite as energetic, but has a lot more funk and grunge, which sounds pretty terrible together thinking about it, but it makes me (a NOT grunge fan) enjoy the music. In the end, I don't feel as passionately about this album and don't have as much to say about. It's aight. Maybe if I listen to it a few more times. The point is to introduce you to the non-traditional video game band who did the famous, "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked," because they have SO much more to give to the world than just that one song.

I just finished the 3rd album and, yeah, this is another edit oh well. But, I kept thinking, "Wow, this album reminds me a ton of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs." And then I heard the last song. Does anyone else think that it almost sounds like a [maybe accidental?] rip-off of "Dragon Queen" at the beginning?

"One more thing..."

I have seen these guys in concert and it was a small, bar venue in Kansas City, Missouri that I love to pieces. Cage seemed to have a pretty solid, loyal following who were aware of what the lyrics that they were singing along with were. The mosh wasn't too over-the-top, so that I could stand on the edge and watch and "dance" a bit (as much as one "dances" at a rock concert). They performed well, but I couldn't see them because of my height, but who goes to actually watch that kind of thing anyway, right? It's all about the sound and the crowd and it was all real good.

And one more thing...but I'll skip the pic of Uncle this time.

I know I said I wasn't going to edit, but Matt is so...precious: Rolling in the Deep. The chorus is done better then the original but there could be a bit more anger in the verses. Heh heh...enjoy that last link, it's a winner. More on screamo and techno beats later, though.