Daniel Amos Message Board | Print: Songs of the Heart and Cake

Posted by Ritchie_az on 08-06-2008 at20:16:

Songs of the Heart and Cake

My wife thinks the album Songs of the Heart sounds somewhat like Cake's 1996 album Fashion Nugget. I think it may have more to do with Terry Taylors use of "spoken vocals" on some of the songs (a trademark of Cake) and the use of horns on Get Into the Bus, Aloha (Cake uses the trumpet liberally) more than anything else. Musically speaking, I can't help but hear bits--small bits--of Songs of the Heart in Fashion Nugget. Lyrically speaking, there's not much similar, with perhaps the reference to Frank Sinatra on both albums the exception.
I like to note that Songs of the Heart was released one year before Fashion Nugget, and I wonder if anyone in Cake listened to the Daniel Amos album prior to recording their record. I don't believe they've ever listed DA as an influence, but if I didn't know, I'd guess DA and Songs of the Heart was an influence.
Maybe it is just a case of two bands playing a similar style in the same time period and Cake had never heard of Daniel Amos and Terry Taylor had never listened to Cake.
Or, maybe someone in Cake really likes DA and Songs of the Heart.

Any comments?

Posted by Dr Rich on 08-06-2008 at20:41:

I guess I can see a loose connection... kind of... but... for the most part no.

Cake is really their own deal. I love Cake, they are a great band.

DA is kind of their own deal too.

That would be the main thing they have in common to my ear.

Man, gotta dig out some Cake Cds.

Posted by Ritchie_az on 08-06-2008 at20:57:

Listen to Songs of the Heart, then listen to Fashion Nugget. I think you'll hear some similarities. But, you're right, they're both kind of "their own deal." Even so, I do hear a little SotH in Fashion Nugget, so I wonder if it's coincidence or influence. My guess is coincidence, but I get to wondering....

Posted by Ritchie_az on 08-06-2008 at21:09:

I just gave a copy of SotH to a co-worker (who has never listened to DA) and he just said, "It's like a cross between Cake and Elvis Costello." And I didn't put the idea into his head, either. (It's kind of funny that he made the observation).
Anyway, Brian, he listened to SotH (once through) and really likes it. We may have a new DA fan here! Yea!

Happy

Posted by Ritchie_az on 08-06-2008 at22:51:

quote:

Lyrically speaking, there's not much similar, with perhaps the reference to Frank Sinatra on both albums the exception.

From the DA song LoveLand:
We'll put Sinatra on--
(something that speaks the truth)--
Ignore the fears that lurk
Like snipers on the roof

From the Cake song Frank Sinatra:
While Frank Sinatra sings "Stormy Weather"
The flies and spiders get along together
Cobwebs fall on an old skipping record

Posted by Dr Rich on 08-07-2008 at00:38:

Funny enough, I listened to SoTH today, on my way to and from work.
Cool

Posted by Dr Rich on 08-07-2008 at00:43:

quote:

Originally posted by Ritchie_az
I just gave a copy of SotH to a co-worker (who has never listened to DA) and he just said, "It's like a cross between Cake and Elvis Costello." And I didn't put the idea into his head, either. (It's kind of funny that he made the observation).
Anyway, Brian, he listened to SotH (once through) and really likes it. We may have a new DA fan here! Yea!

Happy

Brian has taken his first step into a larger world. Pleased

Posted by Ritchie_az on 08-07-2008 at10:57:

Dr Rich, I'm afraid to know what that image is. What's a "matrix code emulator" anyway?

If you happen to have it available, play Cake's Fashion Nugget album. I think there are some similarities (musically). Overall, obviously, they are two different albums. I just think it's funny that my wife, referring to DA's SotH, said, "They sound like Cake," (Fashion Nugget is one of her favorite albums from her High School days) and my coworker, who first heard DA yesterday after being given SotH, said, "It's like a cross between Cake and Elvis Costello."
And DA covered Can't Take My Eye's Off of You and Cake covered I Will Survive, both of which are songs that seem strange for a rock band to play.
Personally, I think the similarities are small--yet, I can still hear them.
Like I said before, I like to point out that SotH came out a year before Fashion Nugget.
So, is it coincidence or influence?