Two Shoes

THE CAT EMPIRE from Melbourne began making music as a trio in late 1999 playing enthusiastically to crowds in the jazz clubs, festivals and bars in their local area. The band was the dream-child of front man Felix Riebl & included Ollie McGill on piano & Ryan Monro on double bass. From the very beginning they had a very unique & distinctive sound.... that, 'Cat Empire' sound!!
Back then the music was all instrumental and only a few extremely rare CD's of their sessions in Melbourne's 'Sound Lounge' (& later in Ollie's sisters bedroom) exist but are hard to acquire... (thankfully, I have them though) but by the following year they were joined by a young Harry J Angus on trumpet/vocals, a SUPERB drummer, Will Hull-Brown & on decks & percussion Jamshid Khadiwala. At last the sound that bandleader Felix had envisaged was complete. With his immensely talented songmanship, Felix now also took up vocals. Harry too writes some very accomplished and distinguished songs & shares lead vocal duties & has himself proven to be a very charismatic front man. It is fair to say that neither Felix or Harry had at the time of recording these sides, an experienced vocal talent although both voices have very distinct characteristics.. especially Harry's. However, later recordings show that practice and 6 years non stop gigs around the world has done a lot for their vocal skills. Ollie's AMAZING keyboard talents are the product of a) a LOVE for the music and instrument and b) a keen and educated ear on the many styles of some of the masters that preceded him like Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample and others. In fact ALL these musicians have shown their worth. They have all obviously actively hunted down a variety of good music from across the world and know what music should be. Harry's trumpet playing is so well accomplished, Felix's percussion is outstanding, Jamshid's [DJ Jumps] skills are awesome and Ryan's bass is more than passable and as I mentioned, Will's drumming is as good as it gets. It is collectively however that these guys work best.
THE MUSIC of The Cat Empire has very mixed influences ranging from Reggae, Ska, Cuban, Gypsy, Jazz, Hip-hop, Latin, Funk, Swing & Dub, often blended into one track. Their real strength though is in their live shows (I have seen them 6 times so far) highly recommended and extremely invigorating and uplifting.
Onto the album, TWO SHOES. It was something of a dream for the band to have an album recorded in Havana's famous Egrem Studio & to be produced by he great Jerry Boys (think Buena Vista Social Club) & this experience shines through these tracks like the Cuban sunlight through a sweet señorita's dress in high summer. The album starts with the soulful song SLY pretty much guaranteed to get you moving & feeling The Empire vibe from the start with Ollie's almost trademark slightly distorted analogue Rhodes sound and Felix's knowing lyrics and cheeky singing style. It's a party song & featured on their (US) TV debut live on Letterman & then various other TV shows around the world. Next up is Harry's IN MY POCKET - Just amazing! The track is so well executed, the rhythm is infectious & the lyrics take you everywhere you've ever wanted to be. Then LULLABY, another knowing 'love song' from Felix that puts a smile on your face & an insatiable urge to sing along. Track 4 is THE CAR SONG, great fun & track five is the song TWO SHOES which first appeared on the collectable CD from the band,'THE SUN' of which only a limited number exist. The concept of the song is simple & genius & an unforgettable Cat Empire experience. Track 5 is the beautiful song MISERERE played to the rhythm of a beating heart at rest & is a sombre reflection that not everything in life is upbeat & carefree. (The US version of this album has the signature tune THE CHARIOT as track 5). Next comes SOY Y SOMBRA, pretty much a homage to Latin music & could have been just as at home on a Fania All Stars album. Now it's PARTY STARTED for track 8. Gather round the beach, or barbi open a beer or a bottle of rum, give the band some room to play & presto.. How hard was that? Actually, pretty easy if you're these guys. OK, now PROTONS, NEUTRONS, ELECTRONS is one of Harry's fun & deeply philosophical (not to mention utterly genius) reflections on life. CARPE DIEM is the message here as throughout the Empire ethos. SALTWATER is a nostalgic look at days gone by from Harry & how they never actually leave. The finale is the magnificent THE NIGHT THAT NEVER END with it's fantastically atmospheric crescendo. May these great songs from these six uniquely talented young guys never end either. The Empire be rising. Long live the Emperors and "long live living, if living can be this".

then this is the band for you. What an incredible body of work these guys have put together. I just recently discovered them, so I had the treat of essentially getting two discs by them in one week. I think I would have to call them my favorite band now, and this is probably the best disc of 2007. That is saying a lot, because I feel that 2007 was a great year music with a lot of excellent releases, made even more apparent by a truly dismal 2006 group of discs (except for their debut disc and a handful of others.). I have never heard a band blend so many different styles in such a creative fashion. You want your next party to be a hit? Throw on "The Cat Empire" CDs and throw "The Teddybears" CD in the mix as well.

Awesome CD. I cant stop listening to it. Its great party music and the next album sounds even better.

I LOVE THIS BAND! Like nearly all the other reviewers, I first heard TCE when "Sly" hit the US rotation (2 years after actually being released! Can you believe it took that long?) The tune absolutely floored me. Talk about making the dead dance! What a blast of refreshment in the somewhat stagnant world of US commercial radio! Even the 19 year old aggro-rock-loving kid who works for me couldn't resist it. I bought the album and was thrilled to discover the depth and diversity of this band. So rarely do you hear a great single, get the album and find that the gem you first heard was only tip of the pile. There are so many terrific songs and moments here. One of the bands (many) strengths is having two principal songwriters and vocalists, like Lennon and McCartney were for the Beatles. They alternate between tracks and even within tracks to keep things lively. This band cut its teeth as a live act and didn't even begin to record until they'd been out there quite a while. It shows. Their joy for the live jam permeates the recording.

While they profess full worship of Bob Marley, reggae is one of a number of different musical influences here. You'll find ska, rock, soul, jazz scat, blues, and those excellent "Buena Vista Social Club" Cuban rhythms on this disk. One of my favorite bits is where they shift from a kind of blended ska to a complete Blood, Sweat and Tears organ jam to close one of the songs. Perhaps the most striking thing about the album is that the electric guitar is relegated to a tiny supporting role. I swear it's absent from most of the songs entirely, yet they still rock.

The stereotype of the fun-loving Aussie shines through here. Lots of humor in the lyrics. Almost all of the songs are danceable and even my 2 small kids beg to here the album over and over.

IF YOU LIKE THIS, do yourself a favor and go to the band's website and order a copy of their "Cities" album. More of the same, but even better. They say it represents a further exploration of styles and sounds. I don't think they strayed too far from the path at all, frankly, but it expands on all that which makes "Two Shoes" so dang good.

Music should be fun and The Cat Empire must believe that wholeheartedly.
They are wildly entertaining, enthusiastic and fabulous musicians. I especially love the horns.
I can't remember the last time I bought a cd that was this much straight out fun - it should come with a warning "Don't play unless you are prepared to dance" !