Vinyl Me Please Essentials

[Joe Mac]

Something I never saw coming when I first woke up this morning: a debate on the relative success of Cake and Eels.

Only here...

Pass me the whiskey...

 

[bettim84]

Definitely not internationally, I don’t remember Cake at all and their performance outside the US and reviews don’t follow that logic.

The Eels were a much bigger deal here, regularly on the radio/music tv and E was regularly in NME and Melody Maker being interviewed.

I also hate Weird Al...

These geographical discrepancies are funny. Eels had zero presence in Brazil, whereas Cake had several songs in high rotation on mainstream radio/MTV ("Never There," "Short Skirt, Long Jacket," etc.). So basically we're all right and also all wrong.

 

[Joe Mac]

These geographical discrepancies are funny. Eels had zero presence in Brazil, whereas Cake had several songs in high rotation on mainstream radio/MTV ("Never There," "Short Skirt, Long Jacket," etc.). So basically we're all right and also all wrong.

Apart from the bigger get than Gorrilaz nonsense, whoever said that was just WRONG!

 

[ChristoBee]

Definitely not internationally, I don’t remember Cake at all and their performance outside the US and reviews don’t follow that logic.

The Eels were a much bigger deal here, regularly on the radio/music tv and E was regularly in NME and Melody Maker being interviewed.

I also hate Weird Al...

I'm french, and Cake was bigger than Eels during my uni years. Not huge, but famous enough that we were several to own a few records from them. They are not Gorillaz huge, but they are kinda big in my book.

 

[Joe Mac]

I'm french, and Cake was bigger than Eels during my uni years. Not huge, but famous enough that we were several to own a few records from them. They are not Gorillaz huge, but they are kinda big in my book.

Weird! I have absolutely no recollection of them or them being in the indie/rock music magazines and radio or on M2 on the tele!

 

[JonnyH]

I'm kind of surprised by all the love for Cake as well. "The Distance" was their big hit, but they were pretty niche beyond that. They're more Eels than Gorillaz, and I think of Eels as more successful. Maybe Superdrag or Presidents of the USA level? Definitely not Gorillaz.

Don’t forget Never There and Short Skirt/Long Jacket!

 

[dhodo]

These geographical discrepancies are funny. Eels had zero presence in Brazil, whereas Cake had several songs in high rotation on mainstream radio/MTV ("Never There," "Short Skirt, Long Jacket," etc.). So basically we're all right and also all wrong.

Apparently Cake charted in the UK too, Joe just doesn't remember, so it doesn't count!

 

[dhodo]

When your second (and last?) hit is a cover, I must disagree.

Never There cracked the Hot 100, so this doesn't seem to be factual.

 

[BjorgenFjorgen]

I've literally never heard of the band Eels before today.

 

[tonythegamer]

I've literally never heard of the band Eels before today.

you've probably heard them if you've watched shrek or shrek 2, you just never knew the band name

 

[dhodo]

I've literally never heard of the band Eels before today.

Well let me tell you, if you like good, depressing music...

 

[Jango]

Never There cracked the Hot 100, so this doesn't seem to be factual.

"Never There" cracked the Hot 100! I guess you got me there.

 

[Goatfish]

Here in Ohio, Cake was on mainstream radio a TON growing up. I didn't know who Eels were until I was in college.

Gorillaz def bigger though...

 

[JonnyH]

Not to mention the theme song for this board:

 

[TenderLovingKiller®]

I recall more than a handful of their songs being heard on the radio... again, at least here in California.

Never There and Short Skirt and Long Jacket were both also received minor radio airplay (both are also great tunes). I enjoy cake. They are a fun alternative rock band. Most will likely consider them a one hit wonder but that doesn’t mean they weren’t more popular than just their hits. Quality and dumb comps aside; My mom could name a Cake Song I doubt she could name a Gorillaz tune (not that my 62 year old mother is really the target demo for VMP) point being Cake would be popular pick that makes sense. If it end up the October selection and you ain’t feeling it that’s cool there will be plenty of copies of UFO left to swap out with.

EDIT: Sorry, this isn’t really addressed to @forkandspoon as I think we are on the same page. It more meant as a response to @Jango ’s crack about “only two hits”

 

[Renée]

The only thing I know about Eels (and I think this is the right band) is that Steve Perry of Journey sang at a couple of shows with them a few years ago. It was Steve's first time performing since the 90s, so it was a big deal.

 

[forkandspoon]

My soul needs some cake with novocain

 

[Joe Mac]

Apparently Cake charted in the UK too, Joe just doesn't remember, so it doesn't count!

I had a look through their albums. Only one charted at the heights of 53!

 

[jamieanderson1968]

I could not pick a Cake song out of a line up. I always confused them with Cracker.

While not a big Eels fan, they definitely were on my early 20s indie rock radar a heck of a lot more than Cake. Interesting regional differences

 

[forkandspoon]

Interesting regional differences

Indeed! Fascinating!