Cage The Elephant - Cage the Elephant
User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 45 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 45
  3. Negative: 3 out of 45

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  1. AlM
    Sep 23, 2009
    9
    Critics are only critics because they lack the talent to be musicians. Ignore them at all times.
  2. GeoffC
    Sep 3, 2009
    9
    Of course I heard their single "Ain't no Rest for the Wicked" on the radio. I downloaded the CD and was not disappointed ! The best way I can think to describe their sound is classic rock with blues, funk, and jazz thrown in. One of the best CD's I've heard in a long time.
  3. stephanieh
    Jul 23, 2009
    8
    Rockin'! Something with an actual message, something real, something unique. A nice change from the manufactured pop, radio friendly crap that's been out for years. Critic reviews?? Ha! Proof again that the industry has lost the idea of real genuine talent and are completely out of touch with the consumer. Hello?? Who pays your salary?? Us. Slamming a group that is creative and talented only turns me off more from the mags, reviews, and TV stuff you've been force-feeding us for years.… Expand
  4. MasonZ
    Dec 5, 2009
    5
    No more than 10 seconds into this album, CTE's classic rock roots are made apparent, which is neither a good thing or bad. The flaw with this record is that Cage the Elephant endeavor to do only what has been done by many artists many times before, often better, and without all of the sophomoric pretenses. Frankly, it's not enough to adequately hold one's interest over the 40+ minutes of radio-friendly bullet points. Track "In One Ear" reeks with a teenager-like attitude that is honestly stifling at best. On occasion, they dip into the confessional when not mired in self-righteousness, such as in "Back Against the Wall," but the immaturity of their writing and lack of inventiveness ultimately makes the message hard to believe. Long story short, Cage the Elephant's eponymous debut is not worthless, but is in fact nothing special. Of course, this is just MY opinion, and I think Stephanie and Kimberly have something to say about that.… Expand
  5. KimberlyS.
    Jul 27, 2009
    9
    I agree with stephanie h, you said it sista! I think this band is awesome, let Matt say what's on his mind, so what!? If you don't like it, don't listen. Opinions are like A$$ holes, everybody's got one.
  6. omgchrista
    Aug 26, 2009
    3
    Tolerable only if you're into G. Love-style rap-rock--and even if that's your favorite genre, you'll know it's been done before (better, in fact). If they don't start playing Cage the Elephant on the generic rock stations real soon, then I'll agree to eat my boot. They work on some level as an entertaining live group, but the record itself is flavorless and weak. The self-titled album falls flat somewhere in the middle when Matt Shultz's vocals and the lyricality start to grow old, making each song seem like a carbon copy of the track before. They open for Silversun Pickups on their upcoming tour.… Expand
  7. MusicIsMyFriend
    Nov 16, 2010
    8
    It's just a fun album. A groovy sound with some decent musicians, it's an album that can be enjoyed upon first listen and whenever you want to listen to something that gets you moving along with the songs.
  8. ssramsay
    Jan 20, 2011
    8
    Saw these guys at summerfest in Milwaukee. Have no doubt this band is great and puts on an unbelievable show with so much passion.Do not just judge the band on "Wicked" which is a good track but the entire cd will blow you away.
  9. lbaeriswyl
    Nov 16, 2011
    9
    This mix of influences is one of Rock's greatest achievements in recent years. Recorded in a single week, people calling this overproduced are just.... well.... wrong. The reason it's a 9 and not a 10 is because as opposed to CTE's second album, this album doesn't have nearly as much diversity.
  10. cameronmorewood
    Nov 9, 2012
    6
    It's definitely scattershot, but there's some good stuff here.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
64 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. All Music Guide
    80
    Cage the Elephant didn't exist until 2005, but as this self-titled album demonstrates, their ability to be influenced by alternative rock and classic rock simultaneously is a definite plus.
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  2. Billboard
    80
    The group's self-titled debut shows that it has more than one flashy single to offer.
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  3. Drowned In Sound
    30
    It’s a fatal flaw that rears itself again and again as a bastardised version of blue-collar Americana is force-fed a mass-produced strain of bland modern rock throughout all eleven tracks.
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