Come a Little Closer

Band: Cage the Elephant
Album: Melophobia
Genre: Alternative Rock

The term "melophobia" is what is known as the fear of music. Now that's usually the last term that is associated with any kind of music, right? Well, Cage the Elephant wanted to create an album about the fear of being able to produce music in a fashion that would be honest to the bands true emotions. I've been a fan of Cage the Elephant since a friend from back home showed me the song Cigarette Daydreams in her car a few years back; ever since then I've been hooked on their music.

photo by poonehghana

Cage the Elephant is a group of guys from Nashville, Tennessee. You'd assume that since they're from Nashville that they'd make country music of some sort, but that's so far from the case. Their music varies on the alternative spectrum and is constantly leaving me in awe with how many ideas they have.

The lead singer of Cage the Elephant is that man laying on the floor in the photo above; his name is Matt Shultz and he is one of my favorite people. Every lyric he puts in each song is extremely meaningful and he connects with a crowd like no other frontman. He jumps into audiences without a care, crowd walks, and runs back and forth on the stage to get the entire crowd into the bands performance. Along with being able to engage an audience, he is also an incredible singer. His voice is extremely unique and versatile so CTE's songs range from heavy rock to calm indie music.

Brad Shultz is the rhythm guitarist for the band and happens to be Matt's brother, as well! He will also throw himself into the fray of the crowd and play the guitar in the pit; he matches Matt's brand of crazy just well enough. I guess it would make sense that he would be a bit like Matt considering they are brothers after all. Jared Champion, also known as Jchamp, is the drummer of the band. He tends to make a lot of the jokes in the band and is an all around funny guy. The person I know least about is Daniel Tichenor, the bass guitarist.

Photo by firstthreesongs

Melophobia is my second favorite Cage the Elephant album, right behind the newest album the band had put out called Tell Me I'm Pretty, which is really fantastic you should definitely go listen to it! I decided to review Melophobia over Tell Me I'm Pretty, though, because it was the first CTE album that I had ever heard and it's what got me to absolutely love the band. Honestly, Melophobia overall is a piece of art, I recommend that if you've never heard it you should 110% give it a listen!

My favorite song off of this album is definitely "Halo". Matt's vocal range on this song is absolutely incredible and is really beautifully displayed through the verses, bridges, and chorus. The lyrics are another one of my favorite parts of this song; when his ex thinks about their relationship she thinks about the good times and when he thinks about it he can only think about the bad. 

"Cigarette Daydreams" will always have a special place in my heart since it was the first song I had ever heard by this lovely band. I love to listen to the song and will belt out the lyrics whenever I hear it.

Photo by Pooneh Ghana and Dana Distortion

If you've never heard of Cage the Elephant, you need to check them out. Like now! If you've listened to them before, let me know your opinion of them down below!