Album Review: Cage The Elephant - Melophobia

Cage The Elephant's eclectic sophomore release Thank You, Happy Birthday was a revelation and perfectly underscored 2011-12's summer vibe. Their third, Melophobia, finds the Kentucky five-piece amidst more reflective grounds, lead single Come A Little Closer a much more jagged and ruminative foray into their trademark, neatly constructed thrash rock. Take It Or Leave It revives that sunny, tambourine-ridden vibe, and It's Just Forever ties everything up in a dirty, buzzy funk with The Kills' Alison Mosshart lending her sultry pant to Matthew Shultz's workaday whine. Another great offering, but with more slow-burning material.