A beautifully full, sweetly melodic pop album that is so lush with sound, it takes a few listens to realize that, remarkably, all the songs are performed with only acoustic instruments. Rhythm guitars provide a thick mattr... more »ess on which the rest of the elements gently bounce. No single note rises above another. The well-harmonized vocals blend perfectly with the rest of the instruments. The lyrics are fanciful plays on words, but they're sung so earnestly that one still finds relevance and meaning in them. "Obscurity Knocks" and "Only Tongue Can Tell" are the best examples of cleverly skewed lyrics supported by elegant melodies. Overall, Cakeis a wonderful acoustic accomplishment. --Beth Bessmer« less
A beautifully full, sweetly melodic pop album that is so lush with sound, it takes a few listens to realize that, remarkably, all the songs are performed with only acoustic instruments. Rhythm guitars provide a thick mattress on which the rest of the elements gently bounce. No single note rises above another. The well-harmonized vocals blend perfectly with the rest of the instruments. The lyrics are fanciful plays on words, but they're sung so earnestly that one still finds relevance and meaning in them. "Obscurity Knocks" and "Only Tongue Can Tell" are the best examples of cleverly skewed lyrics supported by elegant melodies. Overall, Cakeis a wonderful acoustic accomplishment. --Beth Bessmer
"One evening in 1990, I was lying in bed, very late at night, staring at the ceiling trying to fall asleep. I turned on the radio as I often did late at night, and heard the TCS's for the first time. They were playing an acoustic set at the local radio station in S.F. promoting their new album, CAKE. I heard them strum their way through "only tounge can tell" and "ciculing the circumfrance," and I immediately fell in love with their unique sound, melodic music, and downright brillant lyrics. After buying the album, I found that every track was equally fantastic. Definately one of the most under rated bands around. They are poetic, witty, melodic, and fun all at the same time. Neither their music nor lyrics tire, no matter how many times heard. Definately a must have album."
The Most Underrated Band
Kenneth O Hooper | San Francisco, CA United States | 10/29/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you haven't heard "Cake" by the Trash Can Sinatras, you don't know what you're missing. Melodic, Rocking, Beautiful, Mysterious, "In Your Face" lyrics. Brit pop before there was "Brit pop". These boys are one of the most overlooked bands. So many bands have ripped them off. You should buy Cake as a starter and move on to their later works. Hear them progress and hear songs that others are just now imitating. The most witty lyrics ever."
A Crown Jewel of Any Collection
Moira Sheehan | Ithaca, NY | 05/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard OBSCURITY KNOCKS on 120 minutes in 1990. I purchase the cd there after and have continued to keep it in my listening rotation. This album is timeless. Again and again, I am amazed at the lyrical genius behind the songs. The rich poetry will keep you in a reverie long after the cd ends. As for the music itself, it can be quiet and moody or up-beat and lively. If you have never heard of TCS, get this album by any means possible. The extra tracks are worth it, but the album is still excellent without them. And when you see how addicted you become to it, go get the others (I've Seen Everything and A Happy Pocket) too. This is a "must have" album."
Fantastic!
James Oberacker | Los Alamitos, CA USA | 04/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is THE must have TCS cd! The opening track, "Obscurity Knocks," is perhaps the best single in my entire CD collection. The songwriting is brilliant from the first track to the last. If you already have the original Cake CD, the extra tracks are worth adding this one to your collection. Then spread the word about TCS by loaning your original "Cake" to a friend who hasn't heard of them - guaranteed you'll have won over a new fan!"