| There’s a scene in “High Fidelity” that represents every face-slapping urge music fans feel when we hear something that surprises us.
The three main characters walk into a dank Chicago bar with a melody so familiar bouncing off every dark corner. They didn’t think to check the places where (it is hoped) bad songs go to die. “Is that Peter (expletive) Frampton?” says Barry, his whole opinion of “Baby I Love Your |
| Cake |
| Pressure Chief |
 |
| Way” changed by the slow burn of Marie DeSalle’s version. Cake’s new album, “Pressure Chief,” produces a similar moment with its sleek, undeniable updating of Bread’s “The Guitar Man.” Yes, Bread. The scourge of early singer-songwriter groups. The men who make Paul McCartney look hardcore. The soundtrack providers for every all-women’s dormitory in the 1970s. Bre- (expletive) –ad. The song fits right in with the rest of Cake’s silly story songs set to the tune of trumpets, drums, guitar riffs and the deadpan stylings of lead singer John McCrea. And it just proves the band, much like its birthday namesake, may not change much year to year but still remains sweet. First single “No Phone” recalls 311’s “Amber” if the title meant the horizon’s color when two robots engage in a sinister wild west showdown. And songs like “End of the Movie” tend to give “Pressure Chief” a slower groove compared to Cake’s initial single-laden efforts. So the dance shoes get a break. The major head-bobbing joints aren’t so lucky. |
| Originally published in the November 2004 edition of Take ONE, as written by Hank Brockett |
| I think I've seen this type of cover before ... |