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Cage The Elephant
EMAILPRINTby Cage The Elephant

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 6 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 14 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Relentless
Release Date: 21 April 2009
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock, Indie
Summary
The debut album for the Kentucky indie-rock band was produced by Jay Joyce.
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
All Music Guide
Cage the Elephant didn't exist until 2005, but as this self-titled album demonstrates, their ability to be influenced by alternative rock and classic rock simultaneously is a definite plus.
Read Full Review >Billboard
The group's self-titled debut shows that it has more than one flashy single to offer.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
Despite callow lyrics and what sounds like an unfortunate Nineties rock-rap influence--'In One Ear' sports G. Love and Special Sauce-style rhyming--Cage the Elephant make a fine mess on their debut.
Read Full Review >The Guardian
There's a Red Bull-powered Stooges lurking in here somewhere, and when Cage the Elephant can transfer their live power to record, they'll be unstoppable.
Read Full Review >musicOMH.com
In the context of a studio recording, Cage The Elephant's premiere isn't far off insufferable.
Read Full Review >Drowned In Sound
It’s a fatal flaw that rears itself again and again as a bastardised version of blue-collar Americana is force-fed a mass-produced strain of bland modern rock throughout all eleven tracks.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 7.5 (out of 10) based on 14 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Mason Z gave it a5:
No more than 10 seconds into this album, CTE's classic rock roots are made apparent, which is neither a good thing or bad. The flaw with this record is that Cage the Elephant endeavor to do only what has been done by many artists many times before, often better, and without all of the sophomoric pretenses. Frankly, it's not enough to adequately hold one's interest over the 40+ minutes of radio-friendly bullet points. Track "In One Ear" reeks with a teenager-like attitude that is honestly stifling at best. On occasion, they dip into the confessional when not mired in self-righteousness, such as in "Back Against the Wall," but the immaturity of their writing and lack of inventiveness ultimately makes the message hard to believe. Long story short, Cage the Elephant's eponymous debut is not worthless, but is in fact nothing special. Of course, this is just MY opinion, and I think Stephanie and Kimberly have something to say about that.
Al M gave it a9:
Critics are only critics because they lack the talent to be musicians. Ignore them at all times.
Geoff C gave it a9:
Of course I heard their single "Ain't no Rest for the Wicked" on the radio. I downloaded the CD and was not disappointed ! The best way I can think to describe their sound is classic rock with blues, funk, and jazz thrown in. One of the best CD's I've heard in a long time.
omgchrista gave it a3:
Tolerable only if you're into G. Love-style rap-rock--and even if that's your favorite genre, you'll know it's been done before (better, in fact). If they don't start playing Cage the Elephant on the generic rock stations real soon, then I'll agree to eat my boot. They work on some level as an entertaining live group, but the record itself is flavorless and weak. The self-titled album falls flat somewhere in the middle when Matt Shultz's vocals and the lyricality start to grow old, making each song seem like a carbon copy of the track before. They open for Silversun Pickups on their upcoming tour.
Kimberly S. gave it a9:
I agree with stephanie h, you said it sista! I think this band is awesome, let Matt say what's on his mind, so what!? If you don't like it, don't listen. Opinions are like A$$ holes, everybody's got one.
stephanie h gave it an8:
Rockin'! Something with an actual message, something real, something unique. A nice change from the manufactured pop, radio friendly crap that's been out for years. Critic reviews?? Ha! Proof again that the industry has lost the idea of real genuine talent and are completely out of touch with the consumer. Hello?? Who pays your salary?? Us. Slamming a group that is creative and talented only turns me off more from the mags, reviews, and TV stuff you've been force-feeding us for years.
