Album Review: Caged Animals - In The Land of Giants

 Artist: Caged AnimalsAlbum: In the Land of GiantsRelease Date: September 2, 2013Label: Lucky NumberThis year, Caged Animals delivered an album long melody that glides through each track until its lulling conclusion with In the Land of Giants. Front-man Vincent Cacchione is as authentic in tone as he is with lyrical expression in this release, presenting an honest viewpoint of human connection and his own apparent experiences. Cacchione instills what he believes is the lyrical focus of his former band Soft Black into Caged Animals, entwined with minimalism and newly found optimistic chime.As the album opens, “Too Much Dark” drifts down and places itself into focus with glittering bells as it vibrates with Cacchione’s rich vocals. The reflective feature of this piece continues and elongates until “Cindy + Me”, which is hopped up on just the right amount of quirky synths and expertly placed accordion, with backup vocals whispering “we’re living on top of the world.” This song acts as a rival to the contemplative gloom received from the opening and leads into songs like “U + Yr Rocketship” and “A Psychic Lasso”, which are airy and futuristic, embedding a level of mystique into the album.Cacchione makes a personal declaration in “What You’re Looking For,” in which he makes sense of boundless wandering while it is complimented with ethereal echoes. He bestows the melody with lyrics like “It takes a long time/Maybe your whole life/You’ll find what you’re looking for,” displaying many parted struggles.In the Land of Giants is artfully misted, filled with eccentricity and a fluid elegance that instantly charms. The album is concluded with a fragile vulnerability, yet it resonates with a potent conviction in future endeavors for Vincent Cacchione. Caged Animals grows with us all as it consoles intrinsic challenges, floating onward as it changes course. Rating (by pizza size):10″ (small pie)12″ (medium pie)14″ (large pie)16″ (X-large pie)18″ (Really big pizza)