FDF Volume 1: Issue 61 : The Trash Can Sinatras - Cake

Album - Cake
Artist - The Trash Can Sinatras
Key Players - John Douglas - rhythm guitar and vocals. Stephen Douglas - drums and vocals. Paul Livingston - lead guitar
George McDaid - bass. Frank Read - lead vocals (now he goes by Francis Reader)
Produced By - John Leckie, Roger Bechrian and the Trash Can Sinatras

Release Date - June 25, 1990


What caused me to blow off the dust? - the other day a few co-workers and I were talking about decent bands with odd names....there you go. Lame..but it is the truth.

Overview - Scottish band The Trash Can Sinatras (now more collectively know as Trashcan Sinatras) released this record in 1990. Fans and critics quickly embraced the complex music that still maintained many pop song sensibilities. The group continues to write and perform as a collective unit. Mainstream success has eluded the band in America but the band has a ravenous following.

FDF Comments (aka the songs) - Opening with a very brisk acoustic guitar its easy to see why "Obscurity Knocks" would chart in the top 10 of the US Modern Rock charts. The acoustic is prominent on the track but the electric guitars sprawl out underneath. By the chorus the drums click to a marching band beat and the band surrounds the vocals. There are a "lot" of words it seems but the delivery from Reader is wonderful. Musically this song could be bottled up and put in a time capsule and opened in 100 years as an example of "jangly UK pop". Its de-freaking-licious. "Maybe I Should Drive" is just another example of the pure pop perfection that you will find through out this record. A lot of times you hear people say "nobody sings anymore". I give you this. (check the download).
"Thrupenny Tears" starts much slower and subdued than the previous tracks its a somewhat, dark and slow track overall. Not what we have gotten used to that is for sure. "Even The Odd" also begins with an acoustic guitar before the band comes in. Further in to the track the drums kicks down more and the band livens the pace some, only to slow it all back down again. Giving the listener the feel they are in the studio the listener hears a "wait wait wait..." before "Best Man's Fall" opens. Again, opening with an acoustic guitars it has a very full sound for 2 guitars and vocals. The song keeps somewhat of a subdued feel through out. This keeps the listener really primed and ready for what comes next. If any song off the album could be called the defining moment it would be "Circling The Circumference". Swooping bass lines and lyrics given at a quick pace over that oh so delicious guitar sound the band delivers. Check the download to see what I am talking about.
The track "Funny" follows. Again, we slow it down but it is a pretty song. A set up again for "Only Tongue Can Tell" ? This the second song to track on the US Modern Rock charts. It actually did not crack the top 10 but the song has a very bouncy and happy feel to it. The guitars chime over a solid back beat. Francis swoons over the top doing some vocal pitch shifting which is wonderful. The band does a call and response leading to the the second chorus. How this track has eluded a TV or movie soundtrack is beyond me. Still being lead by acoustic guitar, but filled out more with some piano "You Made Me Feel" is another pretty song. It never really gets uptempo but is got a lot going on musically. The album closes on "January's Little Joke". Using the similar formula of guitars and subtle drums its a decent album closer.

Where are they now? - As of April/May 2007 the band is working on material for a new album. George McDaid left the band after this album to return to school to be a teacher.

FDF Personal Comments (aka the Live experience) - I have not seen the band perform live.

FDF Overall Take - One point for a cool unique band name. Another for "Trash Can Sinatra" being a euphemism for vomiting. That being said if you are looking for a terrific "moment in time" of the great music that came from the UK in late 80's early 90's really look no further. This is a safe, fun and well performed record. Rush out and buy it..or dust off your copy and tell me I am wrong. The comment box awaits your response.

Links
Official Site
mypace
Great fans site

Curious? Check out some MUSIC!

****mp3's have been removed Sept 6, 3pm ET******

Circling the Circumfrence
Maybe I Should Drive
Obscurity Knocks
Only Tongue Can Tell

All the tracks taken from the album "Cake" which you can buy
here
the version listened to for this..has a used sticker on it for 2.99

It appears the cd is only available as an import if you want to go that route for a new copy.

Disclaimer - For the most part songs listed you can find on iTunes or your local cd shop. The idea is to give you a little taste of the music. Please support the artist buy purchasing some of their work. Songs are posted for about 1 week but can and will be removed at the request of the artist, band, band management etc. If you are one of those persons contact me via the email link in the profile and they will be removed as soon as we are made aware of the request.