August 4, 2008
Pressure Chief
While artists like Beck and Radiohead see every new album as an opportunity for reinvention from the ground up, Cake has no such hang-ups. From the uniformly rustic cover art, the jerky rhythms and wobbly trumpet solos, each of Sacramento band’s albums is reassuringly interchangeable. But on its fifth, the group’s most distinguishing characteristic–John McCrea’s deadpan, detached vocals–seems to have been given a makeover. On songs such as “No Phone” and “Tougher Than It Is” for the first time the singer seems, well, like he’s actually trying to sing. It’s nothing dramatic–the music will still sound immediately familiar to those who even in passing have heard hits such as “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” and “The Distance”–but with certain bands a little goes a long way. –Aidin Vaziri
Atists:Â Cake
Audio CD:Â
Company: Sony (2004-10-05)
List Price:Â $11.98
Amazon Price:Â $5.17
Used Price:Â $5.99
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The GameCube - Game Boy Advance Cable lets you connect two of your favorite game systems!
Age of Empires 2 Gold Edition unites the exciting game play ofboth Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings and Age of Empires2: The Conquerors Expansion plus additional content for onecompelling gaming experience. Experience real-time evolution as youbuild your civilization into a flourishing empire, from the Dark Ageto the Imperial Age. Decide whether to conquer the world throughmilitary might, commerce and diplomacy, or intrigue andregicide. There are many paths to power but only one will reignsupreme. Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings spans 1,000 years,from the fall of Rome through the Middle Ages. Players control thedestiny of one of 13 civilizations. The game keeps the epic scope ofAge of Empires‘ gameplay while evolving the combat and economicfeatures. Developed by Ensemble Studios, Age of Empires 2features the expertise of Bruce Shelley, co designer of Age ofEmpires and the hit strategy game Civilization. Age ofEmpires 2: The Conquerors Expansion adds five new civilizations,four new campaigns, 11 new units, 26 new technologies, real worldmaps, and much more. Experience the adventure of the SpanishConquistadors as they enter the exotic lands of the Aztecs, or relivethe destructive force of Attila’s pillaging Huns. This add-on packfocuses on the armies and military thinking of a handful of history’sgreatest tacticians, including Attila the Hun, El Cid, andMontezuma. The new civilizations each have unique attributes,buildings, and technologies, such as Chinese Rocketry and PersianMahouts. You’ll put hussar cavalry, kamikaze siege units, andhalberdier infantry into battle in four all-new campaigns. Play up toeight other conquerors via modem, Internet, or LAN.
