Cage The Elephant
Cage The Elephant
JIVE
By Eileen Tilson
What is it with dirty Southern
musicians raised in churches, catching success in England? Is there something
our U.K. buddies can hear before we all catch on? Kings of Leon, Black Rebel
Motorcycle Club, found their success across the ocean, before getting any love
at home, and this seems to be the case with Kentucky boys, Cage the
Elephant.
The five piece is composed of
brothers Matt and Brad Shultz and their friends, Daniel Titchenor, Lincoln
Parish, and Jared Champion. The boys were raised in an alternative religious
commune started by their ex-hippie parents, which definitely explains their
"tree-hugging preacher on acid" sound. After relocating to the U.K., the band
debuted their self-titled album in mid-2008, to have it sell over 40,000 copies,
driven by their Top 40 charting single and extensive touring.
The band could very well be
mistaken as British, there are obvious influences by the Stone Roses, but
perhaps this is just America's answer to the Arctic Monkeys, but certainly less
saucy. The second song on the album "Soil to the Sun" sings "come one come all"
calling everyone to the dance floor, while "In One Ear" is a throwback to
London's swinging '60s.
"Free Love" is the poster child
of this funk-rock band, and you almost can't help finding yourself thrashing
wildly, like you were at a Phish concert.
By the time you get to the band's
single and the last song on the album "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" you find
yourself mentally exhausted from all the head bobbing, but ready to push play
again. All I can say as I will definitely be keeping my eyes out for their
highly entertaining live show.
