Cage the Elephant - Melophobia

Band: Cage The Elephant

Album: Melophobia

Release Date: 10/3/13

Rating - ★★★★☆

After finding success through their first two albums, established indie rockers Cage the Elephant deliver their third album Melophobia; one that feels hectic, yet catchy and enjoyable.  

Each track carries a different emotion and feeling, which makes this album a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Too many times in indie music, bands struggle to differentiate in their tracks. Not Cage the Elephant. Capturing a sound that reminds one of the Pixies, Melophobia's best feature might be the growth in frontman Matthew Shultz's songwriting. In the sixties-esque track Telescope, Shultz's describes an introspective yet relatable scene saying, "It's safe to say that / I don't think you understand / There's nowhere left to turn."

Staying true to their garage rock origins, Cage the Elephant shows their mastery of dynamic changes.  Each track travels along a land of catchy guitar riffs, well timed drums, and a flurry of instrumentals that make every track work.  For me though, it is Shultz's vocals that win me over here.  From his yelling "spiders in my head / spiders in my mind" on Spiderhead, to his soft whine on the jazzy Black Widow, Shultz shows why he is one of the best vocalists in the indie rock scene.

This album is a must listen. Cage the Elephant delivers an album that grabs you right away and gets better and better with each track. Old Cage fans will appreciate the growth and new polished sound delivered in Melophobia, while new listeners will enjoy the journey this album travels along.

Must listen tracks:  Telescope, Take It or Leave It, and Black Widow

- Will