The Cat Empire is some of the happiest music I've ever heard. I first saw them in LA, then again the following week in Chicago. I wanted to go to Milwaukee this week for a third concert, but I couldn't really make it work. As much as I love their cd--and believe me, I've not listened this much to an album since U2's latest, maybe even more than that--seeing them live is why I love them. They are indescribably incredible, but I'll try.
Their musical style is reggae/latin/brassy/rap/spoken word/dance. It's upbeat and impossible to sit still to, but very laid back (a la their Australian nature). There are six of them, and they play together in a seamless manner, mixing all these genres with ease. When they perform live they actually perform, not just play what you hear on the cd. They spin their songs differently, but they also do a lot of improv and jamming. It's incredible--I heard a five minute bass solo and loved it!
Lyrically, they're hippies, and I love the positive attitudes. The idea that their way of waging war is through music, dance, and being good friends is refreshing and encouraging. An abridged sample from my favorite song "The Chariot":
This is a song that came upon me one night
when the news it had been telling me
about one more war and one more fight
and 'aeh' I sighed but then I thought about my friends
then I wrote this declaration
just in case the world end
Our guns
we shot them in the things we said
ah we didn't need no bullets
cos we rely on some words instead
kill someone in argument
outwit them with our brains
and we'd kill ourselves laughing
at the funny things we'd say
And bombs
we had them saved for special times
when the crew would call a shakedown
we break down a party landmine
women that so sexy
they explode us with their looks
ah we blowing up some speakers
jumping round till the ground shook
[...]
Our weapons were our instruments
made from timber and steel
we never yielded to conformity
but stood like kings
in a chariot that's riding on a record wheel
[...]
Then our allies grew
wherever we would roam
see whenever we're together
any stranger feel at home [...]
I know their music is a little expensive (imported), but it is well worth it. Or better yet, go to one of their concerts, where a musical crush will turn to obsession, and buy it from them directly!
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1 comment:
I like bands playing with the improvisation. Cause it means that band is really professional. Also I like reggae a lot. Thank you for introducing this band here, I’ll try to find their records.
Good Luck!
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