Released October 6, 1998
Genre Alternative
Length 48:13
Label Capricorn
Producer John McCrea
Every band has their album that plays second fiddle to a larger one. There are two schools of Cake fandom, and Prolonging the Magic consistently loses, and comes in second, to both. Given the nature of this thread, I would say if you haven’t checked this album out you should probably do so.
Magic is arguably the more consistent of the albums (which may have a little something to do with the line-up stabilization) with a streamlined sound that baked flavors of influence into the…pie that was to become…Cake. (I apologize for that)
If you’ve heard it on the radio you’re likely familiar with Never There and Sheep go to Heaven which has the best trumpet solo and chorus in the entirety of the Cake catalogue respectively. In fact, Sheep not only has the best choral sing-along (which is a huge part of their live show with overall audience participation) but its probably best described as the song Paul McCartney would have written had he moved to the Western Coast of the United States, got a drinking problem and wandered the inner city for weeks discovering ennui.
While those two songs drove sales, the albums deeper cuts drove its staying power. Mexico which has been the bigger deep track (in my experience) is a slow burner made in the spirit of back porch drinking with mariachi flair. Lamenting the various ways she was out of our league, Cake crafts an anthem that speaks to any may who managed to touch the sun for only a few brief months. Alphabeta parking lot seems to take on a similar vibe if only to address, not women, but a life that’s slipping away. (though its very viable that the life is leaving because she did.)
Electronics also slip their way into the album, more as an influence than a style shift. On Cool Blue Reason, McCrea throws on the voice synth bolder and more proudly than a thousand teen pop stars have ever dared, using the alien feel to drive the song to a Presence of Memory vibe; the auditable soundtrack to Dali watching the clocks melt over the branches. To a lesser extent, Hem or your Garment is the first time they explore using electronics to create a stronger percussion section – depending on what version you’re listening to.
While standouts define the album, there is a strong base to Magic, that while not strong enough to stand on its own, creates one of the most rock-solid albums of Cake’s late 90’s alt-class. Guitar, You turn the screws, Walk on By, and Let Me Go weave in Cake’s unlimited sunshine constantly, reinforcing the theme with changes to tempo, style, mood, and arrangement. If music were talking points, Prolonging the Magic would always be on message.
The album isn’t without its missteps. I’m not sure what to say about “when you sleep” or “Where would I be” but if 2 out of 13 are just off the mark, its hard to fault an album. I’ve bought discs with 10 songs and I’d be lucky to get 1.5 that weren’t trash.