• Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Oct 8, 2013
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 113 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 5 out of 113

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  1. Dec 6, 2013
    9
    This album basically takes everything that made the first 2 great, keeps some traits, throws out others, adds in a good amount of experimentation & diversity, and makes for what I consider to be their best one to date. Probably the biggest difference between Melophobia & their past work is its maturity. Sure the self-titled debut & Thank You Happy Birthday had some awesome slices ofThis album basically takes everything that made the first 2 great, keeps some traits, throws out others, adds in a good amount of experimentation & diversity, and makes for what I consider to be their best one to date. Probably the biggest difference between Melophobia & their past work is its maturity. Sure the self-titled debut & Thank You Happy Birthday had some awesome slices of charming goofiness, but on a lot of moments here they seem to be shooting for something with a bit more depth & diversity. To me, the place where it's most apparent lyrically is the song “Telescope”, which details a man stuck in a rut who's lost any sense of ambition or purpose, and the vocal delivery from singer Matt Shultz comes off extremely genuine. I found the keyboard part a bit cheesy at first but it's really grown on me with repeated listens. “Come a Little Closer” was an interesting choice for the lead single, since it's definitely different from the lead singles on the last 2 albums, and not even the most “Cage the Elephant-y” song on this album. It's a reverb-coated & almost psychedelic indie rock song with a great bassline & really catchy chorus that's probably the “coolest” the band has ever sounded. I especially love the way it breaks down after the 2nd chorus into the bridge & gradually builds into the last chorus. “Take It Or Leave It” is another great one that to me is basically what would happen if CtE, Vampire Weekend & The Strokes met on a tropical island & jammed. “Cigarette Daydreams” takes an interesting turn as a sweet acoustic love song with a lot of personality. It ends the album on a nice & pleasant note that I think was a good choice in terms of track sequencing.

    So yeah, they're a bit more reserved about half of the time. But they're still not afraid of just rocking out for the other half. The great pair driving alt-rockers “Spiderhead” & “Halo” that start each half of the album will easily satisfy fans of the earlier stuff, but not at all in a way that feels lazily pandering to those resistant to change. “It's Just Forever” is easily one of the crazier moments here. It's got fuzzed-out riffs straight out of a James Bond movie & wonderfully demented lyrics about love from both singers, with Alison Mosshart giving a real powerhouse performance in the bridge. 3 tracks in a row in the back half all feature a horn section, which I think was a great addition. “Black Widow” is probably the best showing of this, and includes a fantastically over-the-top falsetto chorus. “Teeth” might be the most experimental, ambitious & raw moment on this whole album. Everything about this song is fast & energetic, but at the same time feels very planned out, from the simple but catchy feedback-laced riffs to the just plain chaotic chorus ends & guitar/sax solos. But the most interesting part is probably about halfway through, when the tempo slows down & Shultz gives a spot-on poetic monologue that criticizes artists who make music with popularity or pretentious hipness as the first priority.

    There are 2 more compliments I have to give this album. First off, it's short, and clocks in at only 10 tracks & 38 minutes. I like this since it shows the significance of each track instead of padding it out for no reason. Also, I love how despite the multiple directions this album goes in, it never loses the infectious hooks & memorable melodies that power their best songs. I'm so glad I'm gonna be seeing them this Sunday, since I imagine a lot of songs here would work great in a live setting.

    Top 5 tracks: Teeth, Telescope, Come a Little Closer, It's Just Forever, Black Widow
    Score: 92/100
    (Check out a longer version of this review on my Facebook page That Non-Elitist Music Fan.)
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  2. Oct 13, 2013
    9
    A very strong third offering from a band who could have so easily faded away into oblivion along with countless other bands similar to them. Strong songwriting keep your attention and bold, scuzzy, manic and at times beautiful sounds compliment the writing. One of the few albums that are not overrated right now.
  3. Oct 13, 2013
    10
    Masterpiece, Cage The Elephant's Melophobia is very original and different as well as being oddly familiar, the album feels as if ive just experienced the birth of a families third child that looks very similar to its brothers and parents yet is unique different and original in its own special little way the album as so much variety and so much personality like for example in tracks LikeMasterpiece, Cage The Elephant's Melophobia is very original and different as well as being oddly familiar, the album feels as if ive just experienced the birth of a families third child that looks very similar to its brothers and parents yet is unique different and original in its own special little way the album as so much variety and so much personality like for example in tracks Like "Spiderhead" to tracks like "Cigarette Daydreams" and "Halo" all have this unique different feeling whether it being the bittersweet hard hitting lyrics to the difference in vocals, drum, bass and percussion, simply felt as if i was listing to something thing new every time, sadly the album does have its faults like the track Teeth which in my opinion drags on for to long yet compared to the track Indiy Kidz from the last record is so much better and a lot more interesting. Overall I Very much enjoyed the new album in fact it is probably the best album i have heard all year, definitely in my top 5, so much more interesting then Queens Of The Stone Ages New Record, 10/10 would bang, (Melophobia is a fear of music, funfact) Expand
  4. Feb 9, 2014
    8
    A very solid album. It's more toned down than the previous two albums and it has a bit more of a psychedelic influence. That makes it very interesting to listen to and nicely varies it from the previous Cage the Elephant sound.
  5. Jun 20, 2014
    8
    Um ótimo album,canções maravilhosas e algumas bem marcantes e viciantes.
    Melophobia é sem dúvidas um dos melhores albuns de Indie Rock que já pude ouvir.
  6. Sep 9, 2016
    7
    Masterpiece, Melophobia is very original and different as well as being oddly familiar... Sounding natural was never a better thing for any other band. The guitars on this record have an incredible dynamic quality, the vocals are, as usual, comparable to those of Issac Brock, which is a definitely a good thing for Melophobia. In a sort of style that The Strokes achieved with Is This ItMasterpiece, Melophobia is very original and different as well as being oddly familiar... Sounding natural was never a better thing for any other band. The guitars on this record have an incredible dynamic quality, the vocals are, as usual, comparable to those of Issac Brock, which is a definitely a good thing for Melophobia. In a sort of style that The Strokes achieved with Is This It (and with a similar dynamic performance), Melophobia, track by track, is fluid and wonderfully graceful. Expand
  7. Oct 29, 2013
    9
    I came into this album on an air of mild disappointment after Cage The Elephant's previous effort, Thank You Happy Birthday. I was a huge fan of the first album, and I think perhaps the drastic change from their debut to TYHB was a bit overwhelming. I was prepared to enter this album with whatever opinion it required, disregarding any feelings I had for their first two albums. I was notI came into this album on an air of mild disappointment after Cage The Elephant's previous effort, Thank You Happy Birthday. I was a huge fan of the first album, and I think perhaps the drastic change from their debut to TYHB was a bit overwhelming. I was prepared to enter this album with whatever opinion it required, disregarding any feelings I had for their first two albums. I was not disappointed.
    The songwriting has matured immensely but still has a slightly youthful tone and sound to it. Musically, this is their strongest record, with intoxicating riffs and hooks delivered by Lincoln Parish and Brad Shultz. This is also an amazing album vocally, showing the power Matt Shultz has in his bluesy and melodic voice. All in all, this is definitely my favorite Cage The Elephant album, and definitely a pick for my top ten albums of the year.
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  8. Feb 13, 2014
    9
    I have been a fan of CtE ever since I heard their ,,Ain't no rest for the wicked" while playing Borderlands. Then fell in love again when I heard Aberdeen in a shop. That was the moment when I checked their discography. I like every song on their first album and almost every one on "Thank you Happy Birthday". But "Melophobia" Is my favourite. It has many more strong points than theI have been a fan of CtE ever since I heard their ,,Ain't no rest for the wicked" while playing Borderlands. Then fell in love again when I heard Aberdeen in a shop. That was the moment when I checked their discography. I like every song on their first album and almost every one on "Thank you Happy Birthday". But "Melophobia" Is my favourite. It has many more strong points than the previous ones. At first I was like "No, it's not their music" but now I must say that it's more their than ever before. All the songs are musically full and have some nice flavors. Matt's voice is fill of personality. Nothing to add. Expand
  9. Oct 6, 2015
    9
    Always been a close tie to there best album so far, definitely a point where they start to create their own sound as a group that reflects modern rock. Their debut album established Matt Shultz's ability to sing, and the band to create a passionate energy behind their music. Their second album showed to the bounds the band could take. Both albums heavily took after other groups and soundsAlways been a close tie to there best album so far, definitely a point where they start to create their own sound as a group that reflects modern rock. Their debut album established Matt Shultz's ability to sing, and the band to create a passionate energy behind their music. Their second album showed to the bounds the band could take. Both albums heavily took after other groups and sounds such as from post-grunge and psychedelic rock. This album used those sounds to create a new, cleaner, more "refined disorder" that easily sets this album as one of their best and a great stepping point for the future. Expand
  10. Nov 24, 2013
    9
    Definitely solid but disappointed in a couple of songs. CTE is innovative and not like your regular band. I liked very much and is in 'the rotation!'
  11. Oct 16, 2013
    9
    I think the weakest thing about the album is you want two more songs. Every song has a different feel to it with a different aim. It has a little flavor of all of the genres that use to be popular in Rock over the past three decades but they have turned the sounds into their own. Sounds like they spent a lot of time naturally making this record if that makes sense. On a scale of 1(aI think the weakest thing about the album is you want two more songs. Every song has a different feel to it with a different aim. It has a little flavor of all of the genres that use to be popular in Rock over the past three decades but they have turned the sounds into their own. Sounds like they spent a lot of time naturally making this record if that makes sense. On a scale of 1(a lady gaga record)-100--(a classic) I would say around an 89 Expand
  12. Oct 13, 2013
    9
    --I am a CTE fan, so maybe this is biased--
    Great album, not perfect. CTE is maturing as a band, which means this is not the older "In One Ear" CTE. Still a lot of fun listening to this album, but the length is one thing that is a bit of a bummer. Every song is catchy. Lyrics are a strong suit in this album. Great stuff here. Definitely check it out if you want something new to listen to.
  13. Nov 6, 2013
    8
    [8.3] Cage The Elephant did something with Melophobia that I never thought they could possibly do. They just calmed the f**k down. It seems that they learn what every good artist needs to: making music isn't always about having fun, it's about sitting back and letting your mind work. Sounding natural was never a better thing for any other band. The guitars on this record have an incredible[8.3] Cage The Elephant did something with Melophobia that I never thought they could possibly do. They just calmed the f**k down. It seems that they learn what every good artist needs to: making music isn't always about having fun, it's about sitting back and letting your mind work. Sounding natural was never a better thing for any other band. The guitars on this record have an incredible dynamic quality, the vocals are, as usual, comparable to those of Issac Brock, which is a definitely a good thing for Melophobia. In a sort of style that The Strokes achieved with Is This It (and with a similar dynamic performance), Melophobia, track by track, is fluid and wonderfully graceful. I wouldn't say they learned from the corny, blues-induced atmosphere of their first album, or the confused (yet enjoyable) mess of their second album; they start something new, something that they absolutely needed. The result is a smoothly textured, consistently good eccentric rock record. Expand
  14. May 17, 2014
    10
    I really liked this album and even consider it to be the best album of 2013 (but that's just my opinion). Cage the Elephant has been my favorite band ever since I picked up their second, and my favorite, album "Thank You, Happy Birthday." While I believe Melophobia is the worst album they've released, I still thought it was a great album. It took a different turn from the garage punkI really liked this album and even consider it to be the best album of 2013 (but that's just my opinion). Cage the Elephant has been my favorite band ever since I picked up their second, and my favorite, album "Thank You, Happy Birthday." While I believe Melophobia is the worst album they've released, I still thought it was a great album. It took a different turn from the garage punk sound, and made it a more classic indie thing. While a lot of CtE fans may be a little disappointed with it, I still thought it was absolutely wonderful! Expand
  15. Mar 17, 2017
    10
    Melophobia is a groundbreaking album for this band. Cage the Elephant has spread their wings for the first time to take flight and explore many new sounds. The risk pays off with their most distinguished album yet. Fans who think CAGE is strictly a punk band will be disappointed, but those who appreciate creativity will enjoy it.
  16. Jan 7, 2023
    10
    the center is a bit lacking, but not to the point where any of the songs are bad, but the end track - Cigarette Daydreams makes everything worth it. It may not be as good as Tell Me I'm Pretty, but this album is still amazing, and I loved every second of it!
  17. Oct 10, 2013
    10
    I am a big Cage the Elephant fan and this album is excellent. "Hypocrite," "Telescope," "Cigarette Daydreams," and "Spiderhead" are all introspective masterpieces. I would recommend this to anyone that likes real American rock music with originality and purpose.
  18. Nov 30, 2013
    10
    The album is pure perfection. Sure, there are some songs that are iffy but altogether the songs are well-written and have a nice beat. They went out of their comfort zone with this album and completely changed their sound. The success outranked the risk and it came out absolutely amazing. In conclusion, totally rad.
  19. Jan 2, 2014
    9
    Before Melophobia Cage the Elephant didn't have a unique sound. They had a Nirvana vibe and whatnot but nothing different. They sounded like another garage band that people wonder how they made it. Melophobia takes those thoughts and throws them in the trash. Melophobia is a great work of music that is definitely worth your time
  20. Feb 13, 2014
    10
    Cage The Elephant always surprises me. On their third studio album they did nothing but surprise me. They showed their range by testing the waters of retro music, horn sections, hard to sing vocals, delicate instrumentation, and beautiful lyrics. Lincoln Parish (lead guitarist) was genius on almost every track, without the little touch of guitar magic Come a little closer wouldn't haveCage The Elephant always surprises me. On their third studio album they did nothing but surprise me. They showed their range by testing the waters of retro music, horn sections, hard to sing vocals, delicate instrumentation, and beautiful lyrics. Lincoln Parish (lead guitarist) was genius on almost every track, without the little touch of guitar magic Come a little closer wouldn't have been worth it. The Schultz brothers both delivered with a lot of passion, the vocals were soft but raw in a way. the back up guitars were distorted in a very tasteful way. The bassist Daniel was specially impressive in the intro of the song Teeth, and of course the very memorable bass line in Come a little closer. and last but not least the very creative drumming of Jared in the song Hypocrite. over all the album was structured in a perfect way I'd say, whenever you felt you were listening to a very soft and delicate album they threw a funky/aggressive song at you. the best example is after listening to Come a little closer and Telescope, you are in a very calm mood and BAM! they put in It's just forever a very upbeat cleverly placed song. And I found it to be very tasteful of their part to finish such an experimental and intricate album with such a delicate and simple song like Cigarette Daydreams. over all it was a very creative piece of work, that truly pushed Cage the elephant's boundries. Expand
  21. Jun 16, 2014
    9
    Cage The Elephant's third album Melophobia is definately one of my favorite albums of 2013. With songs like Spiderhead, Come Alittle Closer, Halo and It's Just Forever they have changed their music alittle but haven't lost what makes them unique. From the first song until the last all the songs on this album are worth listening too more then once and it seems for now the future for thisCage The Elephant's third album Melophobia is definately one of my favorite albums of 2013. With songs like Spiderhead, Come Alittle Closer, Halo and It's Just Forever they have changed their music alittle but haven't lost what makes them unique. From the first song until the last all the songs on this album are worth listening too more then once and it seems for now the future for this band looks very bright. Expand
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Q Magazine
    Feb 14, 2014
    80
    Their [stardom] has been a slow rise. The ascent continues apace. [Mar 2014, p.108]
  2. Feb 6, 2014
    70
    The result is a compelling exercise in growth.
  3. Uncut
    Feb 3, 2014
    80
    While the familiar swagger is present and correct both in the Bowie-influenced "Spiderhead" and the crackling "It's Just Forever," these moments are leavened by quieter, more reflective tracks such as "Hypocrite." [Mar 2014, p.72]