Cake | C

Showroom of Compassion is Cake's first album release since 2004. Although fans have been patiently awaiting their return, the new album makes their six-year lacuna seem futile. After releasing five previous albums, Cake's Showroom of Compassion brings nothing unique to their quintessential style. Using heavy bass, wailing horns and almost monotone vocals once again, it is obvious that they have not re-invented their sound. However, there is one slight but noticeable change in Cake's musical approach. They have produced this album under their own label, giving them the leeway to produce a more relaxed and laid-back record. Yet, this new chilled-out aura has reduced the catchiness in lead vocalist John McCrea's talk-singing style and Cake's overall big-band sound.

The album falls short of instant classics like "Short Skirt Long Jacket" and "The Distance." Cake's biggest hope is the added piano and keyboards in songs like "Teenage Pregnancy" and "Got to Move." The added instruments are their only sign of a progression for the band, and it gives something refreshing to their recycled sound.

"Sick of You," the first single off of the album and the songs "The Winter" and "Long Time" are unmistakably the strongest of Cake's recent creations. The band's decision to open the album with "Federal Funding" is curious, as the song doesn't offer much appeal to listeners. A political satire about the bailouts, "Federal Funding" comes off as terribly bleak. As McCrea sings, "You received the federal funding, you can add another wing," their stick-it-to-the-man attitude is not enough to lure listeners to hear the song in its entirety.

Showroom of Compassion gives their dedicated fans exactly what they wanted, another serving of Cake. Sticking to the sound they've achieved success within the past, there is not much to make this a standout album.