Cage the Elephant's new record Thank You Happy Birthday is nothing short of a gritty masterpiece. I have been listening to this record almost every week trying to write a review when I just relaxed and really listened to this record. This record is nothing like their first record Cage the Elephant in any way. I feel it is less bluesy than the first one but it made up with rawness that definately shows in "Sell Yourself," and "Sabertooth Tiger." Also the album has a more pop-punk feel, but in the good way. When people say it has more of a Pixies-White Stripes I totally get what they're saying. What really made me happy was "Indy Kidz," a song you know was really influenced by the Butthole Surfers (who are one of my favorites bands anyway) so I was glad to hear it and it became one of my favorite songs on the album along with "2024," and "Around My Head," which have the more pop-punk feel. They also have their softer songs on the album, but they are strongly written. The album ends with one, the eight-minute song "Flow," which has an acoustic version of "Right Before My Eyes." I saw this album on the charts for about two weeks and then it was gone. Don't let it being different cloud your vision, this is a great and mature album for the band and I seriously recommend it.
