What Would Beethoven Think?

Andrew recently acquainted me with an indie-rock band called CAKE. They've been around since 1994 but I'd never heard of them before this week. I like a few of their songs, especially one called "Commissioning a Symphony in C", which I am sharing here. I like their style; they are impossible to pigeonhole, really. One of their songs sounds a bit country, another may sound more hip hop, and yet another is a combination of rock and big band. I really like that. The lead singer's voice is smooth and easy to listen to without being exceptionally remarkable. Their lyrics are smart and punchy.

They were dismissed by most critics when they had their first hit, The Distance, but they have proved they are not a one-hit wonder by the hits they've had since. I like their sense of humor and their sarcasm -- and I'm sure their sarcasm is one of the things that most appeals to me about their music.

They do a cover of "I Will Survive" that is worth hearing at least once. The lead singer's voice is all wrong for the song, but he doesn't try to do anything other than simply sing it; it's the bass, the lead guitar, and the trumpet that are so superb in their version.

Below is a video of "Commissioning A Symphony in C" so you can hear it, and I'll print the lyrics below as well. When you get the chance I would also recommend their songs,"Never There" (highly recommend that one), and "Love You Madly" (LOVE the video for that one). "Sort Skirt/Long Jacket" was critically acclaimed, but it isn't one of my favorites. "Meanwhile, Rick James" and "Frank Sinatra" are two others where the lyrics really get me, especially the latter. "Friend is a Four Letter Word" is pretty good too.

I know I'm probably late to the dance and everyone else out there knows this band, but since I had to write something today, I figured I might as well write about them.

Click the link below to hear the song (love the keyboard in it):

Commissioning A Symphony in C
By John McCrae

So you'll be an Austrian Nobleman
Commissioning a symphony in C
Which defies all earthly descriptions
You'll be Commissioning a symphony in C

With money you squeeze from the peasants
To your nephew you can give it as a present
This magnificent symphony in C
You'll be commissioning a symphony in C

Completely filling the palace concert hall
It's warm and golden like an oven that's wide open
It has a melody both happy and sad
Built on victorious known triads

You've entered the room with great caution
Though no one in the hall is even watching
They are transfixed
They are forgetting just to breath
They are so taken by your symphony...
In C

You're sitting there thinking your thoughts
They are not about what is but what is not
You are sitting there breathing in your breath
You are seldom breathing life but mostly death

So you'll be an Austrian Nobleman
Commissioning a symphony in C
Which defies all earthly descriptions
You'll be commissioning...
A symphony...
In C