And I was wandering the Interweb and tripped across this particular post from the blog Freelance Genius. I forget what I was looking for, but the irony (and motivation for this writing) is that I was listening to Cake at the time.

Now, to cut to the chase, I disagree with the author’s premise, which is a sarcastic send up that sums to Cake sucks and always sounds the same. Taking a sample from different albums, can that really be said about “Comfort Eagle,” “Jolene,” “Stickshifts and Safetybelts,” “Pretty Pink Ribbon,” and “Sheep Go To Heaven”? Oh, wait, your perception came from what is played on commercial radio? I’m sorry, but I refuse to take that seriously.

There is a development that happens across the albums from Cake, from first to last. Is there repetition? Just enough to make up what is a voice, not a tired shrill gnash like the rest of the Freelance Genius blog is. We all have that characteristic trait, or constellation of traits, that gives identity. That alone does not make for regurgitative nonsense, unlike the critic in question. There is enough to give comfort and familiarity, and more than enough playful diversity to give a refreshing awakening to the music.

Personally, I happen to like Cake. There is a question of personal memories which I associate with that music. I remember Number One in the On-Air Studio doing a show and dedicating “Comfort Eagle” to me, this being an inside joke on us both overusing the word dude. There is Number Two playing “Sheep Go To Heaven” over and over in the living room after we picked up that particular album at a Goodwill store shopping for clothes. And I even remember getting the first album, having it played in the car and me playing Name That Tune, or at least Guess The Artist, with songs that I had never heard until “The Distance” was played.

So I like Cake. Freelance Genius does not. And that difference is what makes the world go around.