Album: Cage The Elephant, Thank You Happy Birthday (Relentless)

Andy Gill
Thursday 17 March 2011 21:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Kentucky combo Cage the Elephant manage to find a new wrinkle on the face of US indie-punk, thanks to an enthusiasm for yoking catchy melodies to abrasive guitar riffs that recalls the Pixies.

Tracks like "Right Before My Eyes" – a rejection of worldly antagonism that recurs later in acoustic form – and the single "Shake Me Down" have a powerful, anthemic appeal that matches their positive outlook. A cross between Green Day and The Shins, the latter finds them determined not to get sucked in by depression: "Even on a cloudy day, I'll keep my eyes fixed on the sun". Elsewhere, "Always Something" warns about lurking, unseen dangers over a jerky, muscular riff in classic Gang of Four style, while "Indy Kidz" employs serrated guitar slashes to drive home its dissatisfaction with TV's "box of lies".

DOWNLOAD THIS Right Before My Eyes; Shake Me Down; Flow

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in