But when I downloaded this album, the info that shows up in my iTunes says Fashion Nugget came out in 2001 (it should say 1996). This messes up the order of their discography in my playlist which drives me absolutely batty. I know it's unreasonable, and there is probabaly some way I can fix this myself, but I haven't figured it out yet. Just thought you should know.
Cake sounds like no one else. I don't know where anybody gets off trying to compare them to Squirrel Nut Zippers or Cherry Poppin' Daddies or those other '90s bands with horns. I would stand the first 10 songs on this album up against anything recorded in the '90s, or since for that matter. "Frank Sinatra," "Friend Is a Four-Letter Word," "Daria," even the radio hit "The Distance" - you kiddin' me? All great tunes. I even loved the sly cover of "I Will Survive." The horn lines are inventive and really add to the songs, and how did McCrea get his acoustic guitar to sound like somebody thrashing a wire hanger around in an aluminum garbage can? And more amazingly, who would have thought that would sound so good?
For a lot of people this is the quintessential Cake album. Although I'm not one of those people (I prefer Comfort Eagle), I still consider Fashion Nugget to be enjoyable lightweight alt-pop. It's certainly a step up from Motorcade of Generosity, and it's also a far more consistent affair than its mediocre follow-up Prolonging the Magic. The lack of a higher rating here is due to the presence of a number of tracks that, although very well done, I've never really been able to get into. These songs include a couple of apparently quite popular tracks in "Frank Sinatra" and "The Distance". There's also the issue of "Race Car Ya-Yas", which is extraordinarily, inexcusably bad. A good yet not great alt-pop record. Although I'd recommend starting with Comfort Eagle, this is still a necessary addition to the collection of any Cake fan.
Fashion Nugget is still one of my favorite albums.
you know a cake song when you hear. the unmistakable rattling of that weird handheld percussive thing. but they are quirky and occasionally put out some really nice stuff.
While "The Distance" is certainly catchy, Cake rode a wave of popularity that had much to do with their inclusion of a horn section when anything that could cite a semblance to swing or ska was just eaten up by the mainstream. Those here who contend that the mediocre review is unwarranted are probably doing so more out of nostalgia than defense of actual artistic merit. Erlewine's analogy of the band's sound as a smirk is apt; McCrea's vocals -- a waveringly monotonous intonation -- exhibit an "I'm too cool to actually sing" attitude. If you've always liked Cake, you'll continue to enjoy this, but if you've never given them a good listen, don't start now.
I remember listening to this album with a discman while walking to my fraternity brother's house in 1994 and it still sounds fresh. A lot of people on here are trying to pigeon hole Cake which isn't fair. They write ridiculous songs like Stickshifts or Waltzes but then smashes you up with Daria and Open Book. I don't know about they're other albums but this one is great from front to back. Get it!!
by Stephen Thomas Erlewine's review! You are so far off base about Cake! Collegiate?? I am a 44 year old woman and Cake is one of my favorite bands. As much as they might appeal to college students, this is a horribly inaccurate description of Cake. Why do you assume they are trying to be funny? That's what makes them so great, they aren't necessarily trying to be funny. The biggest reason I love Cake is because they DON'T sound like everyone else! You need to get a grip.
They rock.
I have to heartily disagree with Mr. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. Assuming this band is all about some kind of smarmy humor is the same sort of derision commonly leveled at They Might Be Giants. And, like TMBG, Cake uses clever wordplay in a signature pop style, which allows those who don't enjoy the style to write it off as boring and redundant. In fact, there is quite a bit of variety on this album, but each song is distinctly a Cake song. It's a bit sad that folks like Mr. Erlewine would like to just take the single from this album (perhaps the weakest song) and overlook a fine set of pop tunes. Listen to 'Frank Sinatra', 'Daria' (a personal favorite), 'Race Car Ya-Yas' and 'Stickshifts and Safetybelts' and then tell me there is no variety on this album.
