Lisa Loeb - Cake and Pie

It could be argued that people forgive singers like Whitney Houston and Celine Dion their syrupy song choices because their voices are so magnificent. Almost exactly the opposite is true of coffeehouse cutie Lisa Loeb. While her voice is pleasant enough, it lacks the range, vibrato, and immediacy to rank as a compelling instrument. But set against Loeb's fizzy folk-pop, it becomes an ideal vehicle for her conversational lyrics. That's especially true on Cake and Pie, which bears the confessional stamp of a songwriter who's been around the block enough times to know that life comes stacked with some pretty heinous surprises. Hence subject matter ranging from relationships in decay ("Kick Start") to teenage anorexia ("She's Falling Apart"). There's brightness, too, in tracks like the relatively slamming "We Could Still Belong Together"--originally heard in the film Legally Blonde--and the cheeky, finger-wagging "You Don't Know Me." While Randy Scruggs, Dweezil Zappa, and superstar producer Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette) appear as co-songwriters, Cake and Pie owes its chief debt to Loeb and her willingness to throw open the diary, real or imagined, and start dishing. --Kim Hughes Amazon.com

A great album to relax to.

I must say, I was a fairly late convert to the talent of Lisa Loeb. I found myself watching reruns of Number 1 Single on E last year, and after one episode I found myself purchasing all the albums I could find. Cake and Pie is one of the better albums I have heard. My personal picks for the best songs on the album is "Someone You Should Know" closely followed by "We Could Still Belong Together".

I do have to admit though, do not try to listen to this when you are trying to study for an important exam. I made this mistake last year and spent more time singing along than studying. You will also find yourself with the words in your head days after.

A Must Buy, but not during Exam time! August 5, 2007

fingerlickin' good!

If you're reading this, you probably know something of Lisa's music, while I came to it knowing only the 'We Could Still Belong Together' from the Legally Blonde soundtrack. Well, it's good stuff! Catchy, clappy, sing-alongy and probably best for sunny days (it starts and ends a little on the dark side.)
This cd got better reviews than her 'best of' which is what I would've gone for, but I'm glad I got this. Even though it could stand to be a little happier.
Frankly, it's worth getting for the pretty look of the disc itself (masquerading as a plate with crumbs and a shiny silver fork on it.)(I like a good work of Art.)(Darling.) It's also got a lyric booklet with yummy photographs and a beautiful dedication.
The bestest tracks are You Don't Know Me, Underdog, the one mentioned above and Someone You should Know.
Girl-next-door goodness. March 9, 2007

Great melodies...so-so lyrics...

Was a big fan of Lisa Loeb's first effort. It was a great melding of melodic acoustic and electric guitar work (similar to Bowie/Stardust, which she stated was an influence) and easy-to-digest vocals. Based on her first CD, I was disappointed with her over-produced sophomore effort. This, her 3rd time out, has a bit more of a return to the sound of the first album. Way catchy melodies, including a return to the complimentary arrangement of acoustic and electric guitars, and smooth accessible vocals by Lisa (and not overly-overdubbed with backing vocals like the second CD). My only complaint would be the kiddie-school rhymes on a few of the tunes. Uh...okay...maybe they were written that way on purpose to emphasize some point, but it's obviously a point I missed. If the songs are autobiographical in nature, Dweezil Zappa must be one patient guy for their relationship to work.

BUT, that being said, this really is a nice collection of tunes. Great production and mixing with arrangements that are just as busy (or not busy) as they need to be to complete the song.

Oh yeah...and ditto about the pictures on the CD. Lisa's attractive, but how about a picture of tree or something instead?
July 21, 2004

Often imitated never duplicated

My teenagers hate Lisa Loeb. They complain whenever I play her CDs. They say she's "Pop" ( the ultimate insult). They complain they don't understand her lyrics. This leave me with the question, "What did I do in raising my children that would make them be so wrong?"

Cake & Pie was the first CD by Lisa I bought after reading a review of it in the newspaper. The biggest reason I bought it was because Dweezil Zappa was on it and I am a huge fan of his father. I was blown away. The lyrics were insightful and adult. The rhythms, choruses, and bridges were far from predictable. This was too intelligent to be "Pop," yet the melodies are engaging and memorable without being trite or simplistic.

Overall, Cake & Pie is her best overall effort, although Tails and Firecracker have some songs, such as Taffy and Dance with the Angels, that are supperior to any thing on this offering.

Her songs are well crafted, not over-produced, and have an authentic edge to them. I hear many "pop" artists trying to sound like Lisa, but their attempts are so pathetic. I also appreciate that Lisa has spaced her offerings until she can fill them with memorable songs rather than cranking out pulp on a yearly basis. December 3, 2003

(Arguably) Loeb's best CD

I'm assuming you already know Lisa Loeb's style, and want to know if this CD is the one to buy. Basically: Yes. This CD is arguably better than her debut "Tails". The most popular songs on it are "Someone You Should Know" and "You Don't Know Me", I heard them and I had to have them. In case you don't recognize those songs, "Someone You Should Know" has an irresistible melody, and its chorus has many Lisa voices (overdubbed) singing "What you want isn't what you needed..." The song "You Don't Know Me" is a bouncy tune (about a teenage girl who gets her first boyfriend and is a little too proud of it); it has a whistling break near the end. The third best song on the CD is "We Could Still Belong Together", a more energetic rocker in the style of "Waiting for Wednesday" from Tails. (If you are choosing between this CD and "Hello Lisa", I'll point out that the first two songs are on "Hello Lisa" but "We Could Still Belong Together" is not.) The rest of the songs are in her usual contemplative/ironic style, based on honest observations of the cruel paradoxes of desire, with occasional poetic turns of phrase, all honest and no cliches. But definitely too contemplative for guys who want hard rock'n'roll. November 21, 2003

More reviews at Amazon.com ...